Google has officially unveiled its new gaming streaming – Stadia. Set to launch in North America, the UK and “most of Europe” later this year, Stadia will be an entirely cloud-based system with players being able to access games from any device.
During the project’s announcement at GDC, it was also confirmed that the company will be launching their own controller that has been designed to work specifically for the system – complete with Google Assistant access – but players will be able to use controllers already owned as the service will support cross-platform play.
Among the details announced were that the service would run on up to 4K resolution at 60fps will full HDR support, players will be able to play on any device – including streaming and sharing via Chromecast devices – with seamless transitions and no installation required. Players will also be able to have full YouTube connectivity to share their gaming experiences with creators being given the option to allow viewers to join them in-game.
Stadia was initially announced as Project Stream in 2018, with players able to join a beta test which allowed them to play Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on a Google Chrome browser. No release date has been announced, but the company did confirm that the service would be launching in 2019.
Google has also announced the creation of their own first-party development studio – Stadia Games and Entertainment – which will be led by Canadian game producer Jade Raymond, who joined Google as a Vice President after previously serving as Managing Director at Ubisoft Montreal and Motive Games.
Watch the full keynote presentation below.
Words by Megan Roxburgh