Google Stadia#Controller

{{Infobox online service

| name = Stadia

| logo = File:Stadia logo.svg

File:Stadia Wordmark.svg

| image = Google Stadia Cloud gaming (48605754611).jpg

| caption = Mobile device running Mortal Kombat 11 on Stadia with official controller

| developer = Google

| type = Cloud gaming service

| launched = {{Start date|2019|11|19}}

| discontinued = {{End date|2023|1|18}}

| operating system = Cross-platform

| website = {{URL|https://stadia.google.com/}}

| image_size = 200px

}}

Stadia was a cloud gaming service developed and operated by Google. Known in development as Project Stream, the service debuted through a closed beta in October 2018, and publicly launched in November 2019. Stadia was accessible through Chromecast Ultra and Android TV devices, on personal computers via the Google Chrome web browser and other Chromium-based browsers, Chromebooks and tablets running ChromeOS, and the Stadia mobile app on supported Android devices. There was also an experimental mode with support for all Android devices that were capable of installing the Stadia mobile app. In December 2020, Google released an iOS browser-based progressive web application for Stadia, enabling gameplay in the Safari browser.

Stadia was capable of streaming video games to players from the company's numerous data centers at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, with support for high-dynamic-range (HDR) video. It offered the option to purchase games from its store, along with a selection of free-to-play games. While the base service was free and allowed users to stream at resolutions up to 1080p, a Stadia Pro monthly subscription allowed for a maximum resolution of 4K, 5.1 surround sound, HDR, and offered a growing collection of free games that—once claimed—remained in the user's library whenever they had an active subscription. Both tiers allowed users to play online multiplayer games without any additional costs. Stadia was integrated with YouTube, and its "state share" feature allowed players to launch a supported game from a save state shared by another player via permalink. The service supported Google's proprietary Stadia game controller, along with various non-Stadia controllers through USB and Bluetooth connections.

The service was in competition with other cloud gaming services, including Sony's PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, Nvidia's GeForce Now, Amazon's Luna, and Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming. Stadia initially received a mixed reception from reviewers, with most criticism directed at its limited library of games and lack of promised features. Google had initially intended to develop in-house games in addition to hosting games produced by third parties, but abandoned this plan in February 2021, shutting down its studios. The service continued to sell third party games, and Google offered the game-streaming technology as a white-label product. Google announced in September 2022 that it would be shutting down Stadia; the service went offline permanently on January 18, 2023. Google refunded those that bought the hardware, and provided a software update to the Stadia controller to enable Bluetooth connectivity for use on computers, phones, tablets, and game consoles.

Features

Stadia was a cloud gaming service, in which it requires an Internet connection and a device running either Chromium or a dedicated application.{{cite web |title=Stadia-compatible gamepads and screens |url=https://support.google.com/stadia/answer/9578631?hl=en |website=Stadia Help |access-date=December 10, 2020}} Stadia elaborated upon YouTube's capacity to stream media to the user, as game streaming was seen as an extension of watching video game live streams, according to Google's Phil Harrison; the name "Stadia", the Latin plural of "stadium", was meant to reflect that it was offering a collection of entertainment, which the viewer could choose to sit back and watch, or take an active part in.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-google-stadia-phil-harrison-majd-bakar-interview |title = The big interview: Phil Harrison and Majd Bakar on Google Stadia | first = Richard | last= Leadbetter | date = March 19, 2019 | access-date = March 19, 2019 | work = Eurogamer }} As Google had built out a large number of data centers across the globe, the company believed that Stadia was in a better position for cloud gaming compared to past endeavors like OnLive, PlayStation Now, and Gaikai, as most players would be geographically close to a data center. Players could start playing games without having to download new content to their personal device. Players could opt to record or stream their sessions on to YouTube without extra software or equipment.{{Cite web |title=Live stream your Stadia games |url=https://support.google.com/stadia/answer/9825342?hl=en |access-date=2022-01-12 |website=Stadia Help}} Viewers of such streams could launch their own instances of the games directly from the stream that they were just watching.

Stadia promised novel features based on its streaming model. Stream Connect would allow Stadia players, cooperatively playing the same game with friends, to have picture-in-picture inserts on their display of their friends' point-of-view in the game. This feature was first launched with the release of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint.{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2019/12/17/stadia-ghost-recon-breakpoint-first-stream-connect-game/ | title = Stadia's first Stream Connect game, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, arrives tomorrow | first = Sherif | last = Saed | date = December 17, 2019 | access-date = December 17, 2019 | work = VG247 }} The streaming technology allowed for a larger number of concurrent players on a game server; for example, servers for Grid are normally limited to 16 players, while the Stadia version allowed up to 40.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/grid-for-stadia-has-a-40-car-mode-that-isnt-possible-with-other-hardware/ | title = Grid for Stadia has a 40 car mode that 'isn't possible with other hardware' | first= Shaun |last = Prescott | date= November 23, 2019 | access-date = December 17, 2019 | work = PC Gamer }}

While Stadia could use any HID-class USB controller, Google developed its own controller, which connected via the user's Wi-Fi directly to the Google data center in which the game was running, to reduce input latency. Google was also exploring further ways to reduce latency, involving the prediction of user input through various means, so that any apparent network lag between controller and game response was minimized.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/10/google-stadia-negative-latency/ | title = Google wants to reduce Stadia lag with 'negative latency' | first= Marc | last= DeAngelis | date = October 10, 2019 | access-date = October 10, 2019 |work = Engadget}} During its GDC 2019 keynote presentation, Google confirmed that the controller would also feature Google Assistant, which would automatically search YouTube for relevant, helpful videos related to the game the user was playing.{{cite web|url=https://www.gameskinny.com/1hak5/stadias-wi-fi-controller-looks-familiar-but-features-google-assistant|title=Stadia's Wi-Fi Controller Looks Familiar, But Features Google Assistant|first=Quintlyn|last=Bowers|work=GameSkinny|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=March 19, 2019}}

Stadia offered two tiers of service: a free level (initially at launch known as "Stadia Base" but after April 2020, simply "Stadia"), and a monthly subscription Stadia Pro level. The free Stadia level limited the video stream resolution to 1080p. The Pro tier, costing approximately {{USD|10}} per month, allowed users higher streaming rates, up to 4K resolution, access to a library of free games over time, and discounts on other games offered for Stadia.{{cite web|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=June 6, 2019|title=Google's Stadia game service is officially coming November: Everything you need to know|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/6/18654632/google-stadia-price-release-date-games-bethesda-ea-doom-ubisoft-e3-2019|access-date=June 6, 2019|work=The Verge}}

Publisher-specific subscriptions would also be offered;{{Cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/09/google-stadia-publisher-subscriptions/ | title= Google Stadia's getting publisher subscriptions on top of Stadia Pro | first= Katherine | last =Castle | date = June 9, 2019 | access-date = June 9, 2019 | work = Rock Paper Shotgun }} for example, Ubisoft announced that its Uplay Plus (now renamed to Ubisoft+) subscription service would be available to Stadia users.

Since April 2020, new Stadia users were offered a limited introductory period of free access to Stadia Pro features, retaining access to any games purchased during this period if they fell back to the free Stadia level; initially, new users received two months of Pro access, which was reduced to one month starting on June 3, 2020.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-04-24-google-has-launched-stadia-base-but-its-ditching-that-name | title = Google abandons Stadia Base branding as it launches free tier | first = Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = April 24, 2020 | access-date = April 24, 2020 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}

The internet speed requirements for the different types of picture quality from Stadia's service were as follows:{{cite web |title=Stadia Founder's Edition |url=https://store.google.com/product/stadia_founders_edition |website=Google Store |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626230111/https://store.google.com/product/stadia_founders_edition |archive-date=26 June 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Speedtest |url=https://projectstream.google.com/speedtest |website=Google Store |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626214359/https://projectstream.google.com/speedtest |archive-date=26 June 2019 |url-status=live}}

class="wikitable"

|+Connectivity speeds for Stadia

!scope="col"|Bandwidth required

!scope="col"|Video quality

!scope="col"|Audio quality

scope="row"|10 Mbit/s

|720p, 60{{nbsp}}FPS

|Stereo

scope="row"|20 Mbit/s

|1080p HDR Video, 60{{nbsp}}FPS

|5.1 Surround

scope="row"|35 Mbit/s

|4K HDR Video, 60{{nbsp}}FPS

|5.1 Surround

= Games =

Stadia required users to purchase games to use on the service, though it also offered a selection of fully free-to-play titles.{{cite web |title=Free games on Stadia |url=https://support.google.com/stadia/answer/10220308?hl=en |website=Stadia Help |access-date=January 12, 2022}} Pro subscribers also had the option to claim a growing catalog of free games that, once claimed, remained available to the user as long as they had an active subscription. At the time of the platform's unveiling in June 2019, Google announced that Gylt by Tequila Works and Get Packed by Moonshine Studios would be timed exclusives to Stadia.{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2019-06-06 |title=Here are all the games coming to Google's Stadia cloud streaming service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/6/18655380/google-stadia-games-list-cloud-streaming-service-e3-2019 |access-date=June 8, 2019 |website=The Verge}} The service launched with 22 games, adding 4 more in December 2019, and by the end of 2020 the service had over 130 games.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=November 11, 2019 |title=Stadia launch lineup announced |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/11/stadia-launch-lineup-announced |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=Gematsu}}{{cite web |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |date=November 16, 2019 |title=The Google Stadia launch line-up has nearly doubled |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-google-stadia-launch-line-up-has-nearly-doubled/ |access-date=November 16, 2019 |work=PC Gamer}}

In January 2020, Google announced that it planned to release over 120 games for Stadia during that year, of which 10 were timed exclusives set to release in the first half of the year.{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Google promises more than 10 Stadia timed-exclusives by July 2020 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-16-google-promises-more-than-10-stadia-timed-exclusives-by-july-2020 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=Eurogamer}} Further, Stadia claimed that more than 100 games would arrive in 2021. In December 2020, Ubisoft's gaming subscription, Ubisoft+ arrived on Stadia, letting users play all Ubisoft games available on Stadia. There were 18 Ubisoft games available at launch with later titles added as they released.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-16 |title=Ubisoft+ subscribers can now play 18 games on Stadia at no extra cost |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/12/16/ubisoft-subscribers-can-now-play-supported-games-on-stadia/ |access-date=2021-01-13 |website=Android Police |language=en-US}}

On January 13, 2023, five days before its closure, Stadia Platform Content released Worm Game, a simple variant of snake used internally to test features before the service's shutdown, as both its only first-party title and the final title released in the service, as a thank you gift for all Stadia players.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Released Today, The Last Google Stadia Game Is A Piece Of History |url=https://kotaku.com/google-stadia-play-final-last-game-worm-snake-weird-1849987880 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=2023-01-14 |title=Google Stadia Launches Final Game Days Before Shutdown |url=https://www.thegamer.com/google-stadia-worm-game-new-release-shutdown/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} The game consisted of a campaign mode consisting of a handful of levels in which players must move their snake to reach a golden apple, an endless high-score based arcade mode, a stage builder, and a multiplayer mode which let up to four people play together in high-score or deathmatch variants. Never intended for public release, it featured rudimentary graphics and menus, and plays a single chiptune-style audio track on loop.{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2023-01-14 |title=Google Stadia Has Released One Final Game Ahead of Its Shutdown On January 18 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/google-stadia-has-released-one-final-game-ahead-of-its-shutdown-on-january-18 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=IGN |language=en}}

= Hardware =

Upon launch, Stadia's cloud hardware used a custom Intel{{cite web|url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/288237-google-stadia-is-powered-by-intel-cpus-not-amd|title=Google Stadia is powered by Intel, not AMD|first=Joel|last=Hruska|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=March 26, 2019|work=ExtremeTech}} x86 processor clocked at 2.7 GHz, with AVX2 and 9.5 megabytes of L2+L3 cache.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/google-stadias-specs-and-latency-revealed/|title=Google Stadia's specs and latency revealed|first=Paul|last=Lilly|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=March 26, 2019|work=PC Gamer}} It had a custom AMD GPU based on the Vega architecture with HBM2 memory, 56 compute units, and 10.7 teraFLOPS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Stadia-uses-a-custom-AMD-Vega-56-GCN-1-5-GPU.421131.0.html|title=Google Stadia uses a custom AMD Vega 56 GCN 1.5 GPU|last=Subramaniam|first=Vaidyanathan|website=Notebookcheck|date=May 19, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}} The service employed solid-state drive storage, and 16 GB of RAM (supporting up to 484 GB/s bandwidth) shared between the GPU and the CPU.

== Controller ==

{{Infobox information appliance

| title = Stadia Controller

| logo =

| image = {{multiple image|align=center|total_width=250|image_style=border:0|image1=Google Stadia Controller.jpg|image2=Exploded-view-drawing Google Stadia Controller (transparent bg).png}}

| caption =

| manufacturer = Google

| type = Video game controller

| generation =

| release date = November 19, 2019

| lifespan =

| input = * 2× analog sticks

2× analog triggers (L2, R2)
2× shoulder buttons (L1, R1)
9× digital buttons (Y, B, A, X, Menu, Options, Capture, Google Assistant, Stadia)
Digital D-Pad

| connectivity = Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth

| successor =

}}

Google developed its own controller for Stadia.{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Kyle |date=2023-01-18 |title=Searching for Stadia: Remembering what was lost |url=https://9to5google.com/2023/01/18/searching-for-stadia-prelude/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US}} It has two thumbsticks, a directional pad, four main face buttons, two sets of shoulder buttons, and five additional controller face buttons. To use the controller, players could either plug it into a compatible device with a USB cable, or connect it over Wi-Fi to a local network for a direct connection to Google's Stadia servers, reducing input lag. The controller was available in three color schemes, "Clearly White",{{Cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=2019-09-18 |title=Google Announces Stadia Premiere Edition as Stadia Founder's Edition (Almost) Sells Out |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/18/google-announces-stadia-premiere-edition-as-stadia-founders-edition-almost-sells-out |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=IGN |language=en}} "Just Black",{{Cite web |last=Paez |first=Danny |title=Stadia Controller: Price, Release Date, and Secrets for Google's Joystick |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/54221-stadia-controller-price-release-date-features-secrets-google |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=Inverse |date=March 20, 2019 |language=en}} and "Wasabi";{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=2019-09-10 |title=Wasabi Stadia Controller now available in Nordic and Canadian Google Stores |url=https://9to5google.com/2019/09/10/wasabi-stadia-controller/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US}} the "Founder's Edition" bundle included a limited-edition "Midnight Blue" controller.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-06 |title=Become a Stadia "founder" with our first collection of games |url=https://blog.google/products/stadia/summer-announcement/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=Google |language=en-us}}

Google produced prototypes in several other colours, and transparent versions of the controller were given as gifts to people who worked on Stadia.{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Kyle |date=2020-01-28 |title=This official clear Stadia Controller is the coolest thing you can't have |url=https://9to5google.com/2020/01/28/official-clear-stadia-controller/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-20 |title=Stadia: Google actually produced transparent controllers |url=https://www.realmicentral.com/2022/02/20/stadia-google-actually-produced-transparent-controllers/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=Real Mi Central |language=en-US}}

While the Stadia controller does have a Bluetooth Low Energy radio, this was initially disabled. Google released a web-based tool on January 17, 2023, to enable Bluetooth on the controller, allowing it to be used with computers and other devices just before and after the shutdown of Stadia.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/google-has-plans-to-unlock-your-stadia-controller-so-it-can-connect-with-other-bluetooth-devices/ | title = Google has plans to unlock your Stadia controller so it can connect with other Bluetooth devices | first = Vikki | last =Blake | date = January 14, 2023 | accessdate = January 14, 2023 | magazine = Games Radar }}{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2023-01-17 |title=Google's Stadia Controller Bluetooth support is available now |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/17/23559203/google-stadia-controller-bluetooth-support-tool-download |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} The deadline for converting the controller from WiFi to Bluetooth was planned to end on December 31, 2023, before being extended to December 31, 2024,{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/15/24003080/google-stadia-controllers-bluetooth-deadline-extended | title=Google gives Stadia controllers more time to switch to Bluetooth | date=December 15, 2023 }} and then to December 31, 2025.{{cite web | url=https://9to5google.com/2024/12/09/google-stadia-controller-bluetooth-tool-extension/ | title=Google will give you another year, again, to make the Stadia Controller useful | work=9to5Google | date=December 9, 2024 | last1=Schoon | first1=Ben }}

= Software =

Stadia was built on Debian Linux servers and Vulkan was their graphics API.{{cite web |title=Welcome to Stadia |url=https://stadia.dev/blog/welcome-to-stadia |access-date=6 May 2019}}{{cite web |title=Stadia Is Google's Cloud Gaming Service Using Linux, Vulkan & A Custom AMD GPU |url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Google-Stadia-Vulkan-Linux |publisher=phoronix.com |access-date=6 May 2019}}

{{quote

| "This [Stadia] starts with our platform foundations of Linux and Vulkan and shows in our selection of GPUs that have open-source drivers and tools. We're integrating LLVM and DirectX Shader Compiler to ensure you get great features and performance from our compilers and debuggers."

| Dov Zimring, Stadia Developer Platform Lead

}}

A progressive web application-based version of Stadia for iOS devices was announced by Google in November 2020 and released on December 16, 2020. It ran in Chrome or Safari web browsers, to avoid restrictions Apple had in place for apps that directly stream libraries of games. This browser-based approach had been similarly adapted by GeForce Now.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/stadia-ios-progressive-web-app-launch-several-weeks-170047705.html | title = Stadia game streaming is coming to iOS via a web app | first = Nick | last = Summers |date = November 19, 2020 | access-date = November 19, 2020 | work = Engadget }}{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/16/22176273/google-stadia-ios-beta-live-now-mobile-safari-iphone-ipad-cloud-gaming | title = Stadia comes to the iPhone and iPad with new iOS beta | first = Nick | last=Statt | date = December 16, 2020 | access-date= December 16, 2020 | work = The Verge }}

At the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show, Google announced that several upcoming LG smart televisions would include a Stadia Smart TV app.{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/12/google-stadia-native-smart-tv-app-which-is-exactly-what-game-streaming-needs/ | title = Google Stadia is getting a native Smart TV app – which is exactly what game streaming needs |first = Alex | last = Donaldson | date = January 12, 2021 | access-date = January 12, 2021 | work = VG247 }}

History and development

= Launch and studio expansions (2018–2020) =

File:Google Stadia GDC 2019.jpg]]

Project Stream was Google's first announced sign of interest in video gaming products. The company had previously been rumored as working on a service called Project Yeti since at least 2016. Google had also hired gaming industry executive Phil Harrison and was seen recruiting developers during industry events in 2018.{{r|Ars T announce}} Project Stream's main differentiator from past services, such as OnLive, GeForce Now, and PlayStation Now, was its ability to run in any desktop Chrome browser, so no additional software needed to be installed.{{r|Ars T preview}} The service used AMD Radeon graphics hardware.{{Cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Google's Project Stream cloud gaming will use AMD Radeon Graphics |work=VentureBeat |date=2019-01-09 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/09/googles-project-stream-cloud-gaming-will-use-amd-radeon-graphics/ |access-date=2019-01-13 |df=mdy-all }} Internally, the service was developed around 2016's Doom to show that the proof-of-concept worked in realistic settings across the public internet.{{cite video | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApbhHzYTyNo | title = How DOOM Helped Convince Google That Stadia Would Work – IGN First | date = November 8, 2019 | access-date = November 8, 2019 | work = IGN | via = YouTube }}

Google announced the service in October 2018{{r|Polygon preview}} and, soon after, opened invitations to beta testers with access to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Players could apply for access and those who met an Internet speed minimum could run the game in their Chrome browsers.{{r|Verge preview}} Those who participated received a free copy of the game when the beta expired.{{Cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |title=Get free Assassin's Creed Odyssey on PC for testing Google's Project Stream |work=Polygon |date=2018-12-15 |url=https://www.polygon.com/pc/2018/12/15/18142147/assassins-creed-odyssey-free-pc-google-project-stream |access-date=2019-01-01 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223140009/https://www.polygon.com/pc/2018/12/15/18142147/assassins-creed-odyssey-free-pc-google-project-stream |archive-date=December 23, 2018 |url-status=live }} Stadia was formally announced during Google's keynote address at the 2019 Game Developers Conference in March 2019.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/google-announces-stadia-a-streaming-service-to-make-games-available-for-everyone/ | title = Google announces Stadia, a game streaming service 'for everyone' | first= Tyler | last= Wilde | date = March 19, 2019 | access-date = March 19, 2019 | work = PC Gamer }}

Alongside Stadia, Google established the Stadia Games and Entertainment division in March 2019, with industry veteran Jade Raymond as its head. This division focused on internal development of games specifically for Stadia.{{Cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/jade-raymond-is-heading-googles-first-party-game-studio/ | title = Jade Raymond is heading Google's first-party game studio |first = Andy | last = Chalk | date = March 19, 2019 | access-date = March 19, 2019 | work = PC Gamer }}{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/19/18272996/google-stadia-studio-games-entertainment-exclusives-gdc-2019 | title= Google created its own studio for Stadia-exclusive games | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = March 19, 2019 | access-date = December 30, 2019 | work = The Verge }} The first studio was established in Montreal on October 24, 2019. In December 2019, the Stadia Games and Entertainment division acquired Typhoon Studios to develop additional content for the platform.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-12-19-stadia-acquires-typhoon-studios | title = Stadia acquires Typhoon Studios | first = Brendan | last = Sinclair | date = December 19, 2019 | access-date = December 19, 2019 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }} A second Stadia studio, located in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, was opened in March 2020, led by former Santa Monica Studio head Shannon Studstill.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/google-picks-california-as-the-home-for-its-second-stadia-studio | title = Google picks California as the home for its second Stadia studio | first = Alex | last = Wawro | date = March 4, 2020 | access-date = March 4, 2020 | work = Gamasutra }}

= Strategy change and shutdown (2021–2023) =

==Closure of Stadia Games and Entertainment==

Google shut down Stadia Games and Entertainment on February 1, 2021. This decision was also caused by the closure of Typhoon Studios. The announcement came after the decisions were made about Stadia's priorities for game development and delivery. Harrison stated that the decision would focus on making the platform more amenable as a publishing platform for third-party developers, stating, "We believe this is the best path to building Stadia into a long-term, sustainable business that helps grow the industry."{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/google-stadia-shuts-down-internal-studios-changing-bus-1846146761 | title = Google Stadia Shuts Down Internal Studios, Changing Business Focus | first = Stephan | last = Tolito | date = February 1, 2021 | accessdate = February 1, 2021 | work = Kotaku }} The shutdown affected about 150 employees, including Raymond, who left Google that day. Sean Hollister of The Verge wondered if the shutdown were provoked by poor sales of Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia, in a "make-or-break moment for the service", while Kotaku writers reported that Google's decision to close the studios followed after Microsoft announced their intended acquisition of ZeniMax Media for Xbox Game Studios in September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/stadia-leadership-praised-development-studios-for-great-1846281384|title=Stadia Leadership Praised Development Studios For 'Great Progress' Just One Week Before Laying Them All Off|first1=Nathan|last1=Grayson|first2=Ethan|last2=Gach|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 16, 2021|work = Kotaku}}

Reports from Bloomberg News and Wired, based on information from people who worked on Stadia, said that, for Google, game development was an unusual concept, in contrast to building out the technology to operate Stadia, and had never had the full support of the company. Further, under Harrison's leadership, despite millions of dollars spent to get major titles on the service, like Red Dead Redemption 2, and to recruit Jade Raymond to develop exclusive content, Stadia had missed target user counts and revenues by a significant amount, contributing to Google's decision to close down its studios.{{cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-26/google-video-game-unit-stadia-struggled-to-be-googley-enough | title = Google's Stadia Problem? A Video Game Unit That's Not Googley Enough | first= Jason | last = Schreier | date = February 26, 2021 | accessdate = February 26, 2021 | work = Bloomberg News }}{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/story/google-stadia-games-entertainment-collapse/ | title = How Google's Grand Plan to Make Its Own Games Fell Apart | first= Cecilia | last = D'anastasio |date = February 26, 2021 | accessdate = February 26, 2021 | magazine = Wired }} The founders of Typhoon Studio agreed that Google did not have either the financial or corporate backing to bring the "level of investment required to reach scale" expected for high-end game development, with Google seeing that area as too much of a risk.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=Google scrapped Stadia studios due to 'level of investment required to |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/google-scrapped-stadia-studios-due-to-level-of-investment-required-to-reach-scale-say-ex-stadia-devs |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Game Developer |language=en}} Video Games Chronicle also reported that several planned games for the service were cancelled leading up to the closure of the studios. These included a sequel to Typhoon Studios's Journey to the Savage Planet, planned projects led by Hideo Kojima and Yu Suzuki, and a large multiplayer title led by Francois Pelland, a former Assassin's Creed developer, and left in limbo a near-finalized game from Harmonix which Harmonix says may still be released.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/stadia-was-working-on-savage-planet-2-a-multiplayer-project-and-more/ | title = Stadia was working on Savage Planet 2, a multiplayer project and more | first = Andy | last = Robinson | date = February 27, 2021 | accessdate = February 27, 2021| work = Video Games Chronicle }} Axios later reported that The Quarry by Supermassive Games and High on Life by Squanch Games were also both originally being developed for the service prior to the shutdown of the studios. The former would eventually be picked up by publisher 2K, and the latter was eventually self-published by Squanch.{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=The Quarry, High On Life were previously planned for Google Stadia |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/17/the-quarry-high-on-life-google-stadia |website=Axios |access-date=18 June 2022 |language=en |date=17 June 2022}} The shutdown, Hollister suggested, was a change of direction for Stadia toward a white-label platform that Google could license out to game publishers for things like instant game demos. This was something that Nvidia had done with its GeForce streaming solutions.{{cite news |last1=Hollister |first1=Sean |title=The writing's on the wall for Google Stadia |url=https://www.theverge.com/22260994/google-stadia-platform-white-label-option |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Verge |date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}

In May 2021, at least six lead people for Stadia left Google, including John Justice, the vice-president of Stadia for Google; Sebastien Puel, Stadia's general manager; and Corey May, Stadia's head of creative services and publishing. The latter two joined Raymond at her new studio, Haven, further putting the future of Stadia in question.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/05/several-google-stadia-execs-have-left-to-join-jade-raymonds-haven-studio | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210505140515/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/05/google-stadias-head-of-creative-services-and-general-manager-leave-to-join-haven-studio | url-status = live | archive-date = May 5, 2021 | title = Google Stadia's Head Of Creative Services And General Manager Leave To Join Haven Studio | first = Liana | last= Rupert | date = May 5, 2021 | access-date = May 5, 2021 | magazine = Game Informer }}{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-host-of-stadia-developers-have-left-google-to-join-jade-raymond-at-haven-studios | title = A host of Stadia developers have left Google to join Jade Raymond at Haven Studios | first= Chris | last = Kerr | date = May 5, 2021 | access-date = May 5, 2021 | work = Gamasutra }} During the Epic Games v. Apple trial, Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Stadia had been "very significantly scaled back" since its launch.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-ceo-says-stadia-has-been-very-significantly-scaled-back/ | title = Epic CEO says Stadia has been 'very significantly scaled back' | first = Chris | last = Scullion | date = May 5, 2021 | accessdate = May 5, 2021 | work = Video Games Chronicle }} Google stated in wake of these events that Stadia was "alive and well" with significant plans for expansion in 2021.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-13-google-says-stadia-is-alive-and-well | title = Google says Stadia is "alive and well" |first = James | last = Batchelor | date = May 13, 2021 | accessdate = May 13, 2021 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}

To draw more developers to the platform, Stadia announced a new revenue sharing program in July 2021. Through 2023, Stadia would take only a 15% cut of a game's revenue on the platform, up to {{USD|3 million|long=no}}. After that, their cut would return to their standard rate, believed to have been near the industry-wide 30% average, under what Google called "competitive revenue share terms". Further, Stadia would share 70% of Stadia Pro membership fees with games that entered the service starting in July 2021, the share split based on hours played by Stadia users. Additionally, in an affiliate marketing scheme, Stadia would pay the first month of a new Stadia Pro membership fee to any developer who drew a new user to the service.{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/google-rolls-out-more-generous-revenue-sharing-to-attract-new-stadia-games/ | title = Google tries to attract Stadia publishers with better revenue sharing | first= Kyle | last= Orland | date = July 14, 2021 | accessdate = July 14, 2021 | work = Ars Technica }} The former members of Typhoon Games were able to secure funding, including some from Tencent, to launch a new studio Raccoon Logic, and through negotiations with Google retained the rights to Journey to the Savage Planet and its in-progress sequel.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/savage-planet-studio-typhoon-has-reformed-and-kept-the-ip-after-stadia-closure/ | title = Savage Planet studio Typhoon has reformed and kept the IP after Stadia closure | first= Andy | last= Robinson | date = August 11, 2021 | accessdate= August 11, 2021 | work = Video Games Chronicle }}

Google began licensing out Stadia's technology as a white-label product in October 2021, branded as "Immersive Stream for Games", which was intended to be expanded to other business solutions by Google.{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/03/stadias-pivot-to-a-google-cloud-product-is-official/ | title = Stadia's pivot to a Google Cloud product is official | first = Ron | last = Amadeo | date = March 15, 2022 | accessdate = March 16, 2022 | work = Ars Technica }} One of the first instances using this product was an offer for AT&T customers to play a Stadia-enabled version of Batman: Arkham Knight for free.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/google-stadia-tech-licensing-att-batman-arkham-knight-160913912.html | title= Google starts licensing Stadia tech to other companies | first = Kris | last = Holt | date = October 21, 2021 | accessdate = October 21, 2021 | work = Engadget }} Another early example was Capcom's use of the Stadia technology to offer a free demo of Resident Evil Village in June 2022 through any web browser.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/10/23163089/capcom-resident-evil-village-demo-browser-google-stadia | title = Stadia just made it a lot easier to play the Resident Evil Village demo | first = Mitchell | last =Clark | date = June 10, 2022 | accessdate = June 10, 2022 | work = The Verge }} In December 2021, it was announced that Stadia had been ported to LG televisions running WebOS 5.0 or later.{{cite web |last1=Machkovech |first1=Sam |title=Stadia finally launches on LG TVs, shows off the greatness that could've been |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/12/stadia-finally-launches-on-lg-tvs-shows-off-the-greatness-that-couldve-been/ |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |date=8 December 2021}} On February 4, 2022, Business Insider reported that Google intended to shift its focus on Stadia from video games to playable experiences and online demos, as Stadia had been "demoted".{{Cite web|title=Report: Google Stadia has reportedly been demoted, but it might show up in your Peloton|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/4/22917999/google-stadia-white-label-peloton-bungie-capcom|access-date=2022-02-04|website=TheVerge|date=February 4, 2022 |language=en-us}} That same day, Google announced on Twitter that Stadia would have 100 more games coming to the platform in 2022, and that they were working on new features not yet announced.{{Cite web|title=Report: Twitter Stadia|url=https://twitter.com/GoogleStadia/status/1489758125192216579|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Stadia Twitter|language=en-us}}

In February 2021, Chromebooks started to launch with Stadia pre-installed.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Brandon |date=2021-02-10 |title=Chromebooks now launch with Stadia pre-installed |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/chromebooks-launch-stadia-pre-installed/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=XDA Developers |language=en-US}}

==Discontinuation of Stadia==

On September 29, 2022, Google announced that it would shut down Stadia, citing its lack of traction with users. The service was shut down on January 18, 2023, and Google refunded all purchases for hardware and games made through the Google and Stadia stores leaving its own controller being Bluetooth compatible. All storefront features were disabled with the announcement. The technology behind Stadia was to be utilized in other parts of Google, including with its partners,{{cite news |last1=Cranz |first1=Alex |title=Google is shutting down Stadia |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378713/google-stadia-shutting-down-game-streaming-january-2023 |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=The Verge |date=29 September 2022}} however, in March 2023, Axios's Stephen Totilo stated that Google has also terminated this white-label service.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/google-stadias-cloud-service-has-also-been-shut-down/ | title = Google Stadia's cloud service has also been shut down | first = Jordan | last = Middler | date = March 11, 2023 | accessdate = March 11, 2023 | work = Video Games Chronicle }} According to Google's Jack Buser, "We are not offering that streaming option, because it was tied to Stadia itself. So, unfortunately, when we decided to not move forward with Stadia, that sort of [business-to-business] offering could no longer be offered as well."{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/8/23631063/google-white-label-stadia-idea-done | title = Google's cloud gaming ambitions died with Stadia, exec reveals | first = Sean | last = Hollister | date = March 8, 2023 | accessdate = March 11, 2023 | work = The Verge }}

Shortly after announcing the end of Stadia in October 2022, Google unveiled new Chromebooks designed around cloud gaming, with GeForce Now preinstalled and direct support for Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and Google Play.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/google-announces-cloud-gaming-chromebooks-in-the-wake-of-stadia-shutdown | title = Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks in the wake of Stadia shutdown | first = James | last =Batchelor | date = October 12, 2022 | accessdate = October 12, 2022 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}

Neither Stadia employees nor game developers were made aware of these plans before the announcement, which caused concern for developers who had planned to release new games on the service.{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/stadia-google-bungie-destiny-2-cyberpunk-2077-red-dead-1849601243 | title = Game Devs And Stadia Employees Alike Were Blindsided By The Sudden Shutdown | first= Ethan | last =Gach | date = September 29, 2022 | accessdate = September 30, 2022 | work = Kotaku }} Ubisoft stated that Stadia players would be able to transfer their purchased games to personal computer versions via their Ubisoft Connect platform for free.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/30/23380703/ubisoft-google-stadia-transfer-purchases-pc-shutdown | title = Ubisoft will let you transfer your Stadia purchases to PC | first= Jay | last = Peters | date = September 30, 2022 | accessdate = September 30, 2022 | work = The Verge }} Other studios said they were evaluating methods to transfer saved game progress from Stadia to other platforms ahead of the shutdown.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-bungie-and-others-working-on-stadia-game-save-transfers| title = Ubisoft, Bungie, and Others Working on Stadia Game Save Transfers | first = Ryan | last= Leston | date = September 30, 2022 | accessdate= September 30, 2022 | work = IGN }} For example, Bethesda Softworks confirmed that players of Elder Scrolls Online would be able to transfer their Stadia accounts to other platforms.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/stadias-elder-scrolls-online-players-will-be-able-to-transfer-their-saves-to-pc | title = Stadia's Elder Scrolls Online players will be able to transfer their saves to PC | first = Matt | last = Wales | date = October 6, 2022 | accessdate= October 8, 2022 | work = Eurogamer }} Some games that had been Stadia-exclusive would be released as multiplatform titles, such as Tequila Works' Gylt.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/05/stadia-exclusive-gylt-goes-multiplatform-next-year | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221005182101/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/05/stadia-exclusive-gylt-goes-multiplatform-next-year | url-status = live | archive-date = October 5, 2022 | title = Stadia-Exclusive Gylt Goes Multiplatform Next Year | first = Marcus | last = Steward | date = October 5, 2022 | access-date = October 8, 2022 | magazine = Game Informer }} Not all Stadia-exclusive games are available elsewhere after its closure. For example, Outcasters from Splash Damage was reliant on Stadia technology, so the developers have no plans to port the game to other systems.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/when-stadia-dies-its-taking-its-platform-exclusive-game-outcasters-with-it/ | title=When Stadia dies, it's taking its platform-exclusive game Outcasters with it | date=October 13, 2022 }}

Google officially shut down Stadia on January 18, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST (07:59 UTC).{{cite news|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Here's Google Stadia's Exact Date And Time Of Death |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/01/11/heres-google-stadias-exact-date-and-time-of-death/ |work=Forbes |date=January 11, 2023}}

Availability and promotions

File:Stadia-controller-and-Chromecast-Ultra-from-Premiere-Edition.jpg, although the controller colors differed.]]

Stadia initially launched on November 19, 2019, in 14 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The "Founder's Edition" bundle, which was available for pre-order for US$129 prior to the service's launch, included: a Chromecast Ultra; a limited-edition "Midnight Blue" Stadia controller; three months of Pro service; an additional three months of Pro service to gift to a friend; a Founder's badge next to their user name; and first access to register a user name.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20908177/google-stadia-release-date-founders-edition-pixel-4-event | title = Google's Stadia cloud gaming service will launch on November 19th | first = Sean | last = Hollister | date = October 15, 2019 | access-date = October 15, 2019 | work = The Verge }} After "Founder's Edition" pre-orders sold out, Google announced a "Premiere Edition" bundle for US$129, with a Chromecast Ultra, a "Clearly White" Stadia controller, and a three-month subscription to the Pro tier included.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/stadia/google-premiere-edition-pre-order|title=Google Stadia launches backup Premiere Edition as Founders pre-order sells out|website=PCGamesN|first=Jacob|last=Ridley|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=January 27, 2021}} At launch, Stadia was limited to the subscription-only Pro tier.

The service was expanded to several Samsung Galaxy, Razer Phone, and ASUS ROG Phone devices in February 2020,{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/stadia-expanding-android-mobile-support-this-week/ | title = Stadia expanding Android mobile support this week | first = Tom | last =Ivan | date = February 18, 2020 | access-date = February 18, 2020 | work =Video Games Chronicle }} after being only available on Google Pixel devices for months since its launch.{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Kyle|date=2019-06-06|title=Google Stadia launching on Chrome, Chromecast, Pixel 3/3a|url=https://9to5google.com/2019/06/06/google-stadia-launching-on-chrome-os-chromecast-pixel-3-pixel-3a/|access-date=2021-02-02|website=9to5Google|language=en-US}}

In March 2020, Google sent promotional emails to owners of Chromecast Ultra devices offering three months of Stadia Pro at no cost for redemption.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/6/21168471/google-stadia-cloud-gaming-chromecast-ultra-giveaway-promotion-subscription|title=Google now giving away three months of Stadia access to Chromecast owners|website=The Verge|first=Nick|last=Statt|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=January 27, 2021}} The following month, while many people were quarantining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Google launched a free version of Stadia, making it available to anyone in eligible countries with a valid Google account. Two-month Pro subscriptions were given at no cost to all new and existing platform users.{{Cite web | url = https://www.blog.google/products/stadia/try-stadia-free-today/ | title = Play Stadia Pro for free, starting today | first = Phil | last = Harrison | date = April 8, 2020 | access-date = April 8, 2020 | work = Stadia }}

Starting in June 2020, Stadia became accessible on OnePlus's 5, 6, and 7 series phones, and access can be enabled on other Android phones and tablets with Android 6 and above as an "experimental" feature. At the same time, touch controls were made available as an alternative to using a supported controller for touchscreen Android devices.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-11|title=This Week on Stadia: It's a great time to buy the game you want most|url=https://community.stadia.com/t5/Stadia-Community-Blog/This-Week-on-Stadia-It-s-a-great-time-to-buy-the-game-you-want/ba-p/24303|access-date=2020-06-29|website=community.stadia.com|language=en}} That same month, the "Premiere Edition" bundle received a price reduction to US$99.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/06/16/google-introduces-less-expensive-stadia-premiere-edition-bundle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620150729/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/06/16/google-introduces-less-expensive-stadia-premiere-edition-bundle|url-status=live|archive-date=June 20, 2020|title=Google Introduces Less Expensive Stadia Premiere Edition Bundle|magazine=Game Informer|first=Brian|last=Shea|date=June 16, 2020|access-date=January 27, 2021}}

In November 2020, Google ran two promotions through which they gave away complimentary "Premiere Edition" bundles. The first, which began on November 10, offered bundles at no cost to YouTube Premium subscribers in the US and the UK who had subscribed before November 6. The promotion ended two days later in the US after Google exhausted all available supply.{{cite news |last1=Lyles |first1=Taylor |title=Google is giving free Stadia gaming kits to YouTube premium subscribers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/10/21558820/youtube-premium-subscribers-free-stadia-premiere-edition-bundle-deals |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Verge |date=10 November 2020 |language=en}} The second promotion coincided with Stadia's first anniversary on November 19, and offered complimentary bundles to users who purchased a copy of Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia.{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=Cameron |title=Buying Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia will get you a complimentary Stadia Premiere kit |url=https://www.theverge.com/good-deals/2020/11/19/21572301/cyberpunk-2077-google-stadia-free-premiere-kit-preorder-deal |work=The Verge |date=19 November 2020 |language=en}} Google ended the promotion early on December 10 in Canada{{cite web |title=Update regarding the Cyberpunk 2077 promotion |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Stadia/comments/kas3wx/update_regarding_the_cyberpunk_2077_promotion/ |website=Reddit |access-date=2 February 2021 |date=10 December 2020}} and on December 13 in all other regions{{cite web |title=The Cyberpunk 2077 promotion is now closed in all countries |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Stadia/comments/kcm1ff/the_cyberpunk_2077_promotion_is_now_closed_in_all/ |website=Reddit |access-date=2 February 2021 |date=13 December 2020}} after exhausting their supply. In March 2021, Google announced a Stadia promotion in anticipation for the release of Resident Evil Village. The promotion offered a free Stadia Premiere kit after the purchase of either the Standard or Deluxe Editions of the game. All Stadia Pro members were given access to a free edition of Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition.{{Cite web|last=Lyles|first=Taylor|date=2021-03-22|title=Resident Evil Village is coming to Stadia, and Google will give you free hardware if you buy this version|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/22/22340624/resident-evil-village-google-stadia-free-premiere-kit-preorder-promotion|access-date=2021-03-22|website=The Verge|language=en}}

In December 2020, Stadia expanded to eight new European markets: Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland.{{Cite web | url=https://blog.google/products/stadia/stadia-launches-eight-new-european-countries/ | title=Stadia arrives in eight new European countries | first = Samuel | last = Peterson | date = December 7, 2020 | access-date = December 7, 2020 |work=Stadia }} In June 2021, Stadia launched on most Android TV devices including the Chromecast with Google TV, the Nvidia Shield TV and other smart TVs with Android TV support.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/google-stadia-chromecast-with-google-tv-android-tv-160131677.html | title = Stadia is coming to Chromecast with Google TV on June 23rd | first = Kris | last =Holt | date= June 7, 2021 | accessdate= June 7, 2021 | work = Engadget }}

Reception

= Pre-release =

During its beta, the service received generally positive initial impressions from reviewers, who felt that it met, and in some instances exceeded, expectations,{{r|Ars T preview|Polygon preview|Verge preview}} and made for a potentially viable alternative to PC gaming.{{r|Polygon preview|Verge preview}} Ars Technica remarked that Project Stream's login sequence was far simpler than that of other services.{{r|Ars T preview}} Some minor discrepancies and technical issues were nonetheless noted.

Reviewers reported that the streaming service had low latency and felt as if the games were being played locally.{{r|Polygon preview|Verge preview}} Despite this, depending on Wi-Fi speeds, the games sometimes reduced their screen resolution or lagged.{{r|Verge preview}} A test by The Verge found no lag issues over a wired Ethernet connection, and occasional stuttering on a shared Wi-Fi connection.{{r|Verge preview}} However, even on a wired connection, the stream did not output at 4K resolution and occasionally went fuzzy with compression artifacting. The reviewer reported the best experience on Google's Pixelbook.{{r|Verge preview}} Polygon found the service's audio compression noticeable.{{r|Polygon preview}} Digital Foundry performed a hands-on with Assassin's Creed Odyssey on a Pixelbook on the service in Beta, and found that in the testing environment, latency seemed acceptable, but there was a noticeable visual hit. They also remarked that Assassin's Creed Odyssey was not the best example for testing, as it did not operate at 60 frames per second.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-hands-on-with-google-stream-gdc-2019|title=Google Stadia hands-on: streaming analysis and controller impressions|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2019-03-19|quote=Assassin's Creed Odyssey is perhaps not the best example for testing, as it's natively a fairly laggy game, so it will be interesting to test faster 60fps titles (...) Stadia is perfectly playable and presentable here, but it's clear that there is a noticeable visual hit when the encoder is presented with more a more detail-rich, fast-moving scene process.|access-date=2019-03-24}}

= Post-release =

Stadia received mixed reviews upon its release according to review aggregator Metacritic.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/google-stadia-cloud-gaming-service-review/ |title=Cloud Gaming Service Review: Google Stadia |last=Dietz |first=Jason |date=18 November 2019 |website=Metacritic |access-date=9 December 2019}} Wired Magazine described the image quality as "drab", but admitted to preferring to play Destiny 2 on a Chromebook instead of a larger gaming laptop.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/review/google-stadia/|title=Stadia Might Be One of Google's Best Products—Eventually|magazine=WIRED}} VentureBeat criticized the service's pricing model, comparing it unfavorably to subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass, and claiming that Stadia "doesn't matter".{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/18/google-stadia-review-it-works-but-so-what/|title=Google Stadia review — It works, but it doesn't matter|date=November 18, 2019}} Digital Foundry found that the service was not playing all games at 4K resolutions: Red Dead Redemption 2 was found to only run at 1440p, and Destiny 2 ran at only 1080p (albeit at a frame rate higher than that of the console versions).{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-stadia-tech-review|title=Stadia tech review: the best game streaming yet, but far from ready|first=Richard|last=Leadbetter|website=Eurogamer|date=November 18, 2019}} Digital Foundry also said that games like Red Dead Redemption 2 struggled to maintain a consistent 60 frames per second, claiming that their test of the game on Chromecast only managed a solid 30 FPS, while a test on the Chrome browser showed an unstable 60 FPS that dropped frequently.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/digitalfoundry/status/1196551514896162816|title=Interesting to see Stadia RDR2 capture out there running at an unstable 60fps. A bit tired here and Stadia barely runs on my home connection right now for some reason, but Saturday night's Chromecast captures are indeed 30fps, while Chrome browser output seem to be aiming for 60.pic.twitter.com/4p7SXk7JPW|date=November 18, 2019}} The Guardian gave Stadia three stars out of five, praising the service's technical performance, while criticising its game selection for being too old and only featuring one exclusive.{{cite web |last1=Hern |first1=Alex |title=Google Stadia review – the console vanishes from video gaming |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/nov/18/google-stadia-review-gylt |website=The Guardian |access-date=20 November 2019 |ref=guardian-review |date=18 November 2019}} Ars Technica concluded: "Early adopters feel like they're getting a beta product here. Wait until next year to see if Google can work out the kinks and prove the service's longevity."{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/11/google-stadia-might-be-gamings-future-but-in-the-present-it-looks-rough/ |title=Google Stadia launch review: Gaming's "future" looks rough in the present |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=November 18, 2019 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=November 21, 2019}} S&P Global Market Intelligence reported that: "Stadia met with tepid enthusiasm from analysts and early adopters who criticized the service's slate of launch titles and lack of promoted features".{{cite web |url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/55612856 |title=Google's new Stadia platform faces muted reception tied to game launch slate |last=Halder |first=Anser |date=21 November 2019 |website=S&P Global Market Intelligence |access-date=9 December 2019}} Dieter Bohn from The Verge said that "I have put in enough hours in enough conditions to say that this is a beta product, and Google should have labeled it as such and launched it differently. Because even in the best conditions, this ain't the best."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/18/21025576/google-stadia-editorial-assassins-creed-beta-game-library|title=Google Stadia should have stayed in beta|website=www.theverge.com|date=December 18, 2019}}

Toward the end of January 2020, Stadia users expressed concern about Google's lack of communication about Stadia, outside of announcing monthly free game additions. These users were concerned about planned features that were only months away on Google's initial timeline, but had yet to be discussed further, such as 4K streaming resolution support. A Google community manager had been following these discussions and expressed sympathy for users who were waiting for information, saying that there was news coming soon.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/stadia-owners-on-reddit-are-blasting-google-over-radio-silence-and-lack-of-support | title = Stadia owners on Reddit are blasting Google over radio silence and lack of support | first= Chris | last = Kerr | date = January 28, 2020 | access-date = January 28, 2020 | work = Gamasutra }}{{cite web | url = https://www.vice.com/en/article/its-increasingly-clear-stadias-launch-was-an-expensive-beta-test/ | title = It's Increasingly Clear Stadia's Launch Was an Expensive Beta Test | first= Patrick | last= Kelpek | date = January 28, 2020 | access-date = January 28, 2020 | work = Vice }} Google's official response was to direct users to its Stadia community site, where it was providing weekly updates on the progress of Stadia's features, and said that it left it to publishers to announce when new games would be available on Stadia.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-30-google-responds-to-complaints-of-slow-stadia-announcements | title = Google responds to complaints of slow Stadia announcements | first = James | last = Batchlor | date = January 30, 2020 | access-date = January 30, 2020 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}

Cyberpunk 2077 experienced a tumultuous launch on eighth-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as they struggled to run the game without major performance issues and bugs,{{Cite web|first=Ali |last=Jones |title=Cyberpunk 2077 players are complaining about performance issues|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cyberpunk-2077-players-are-complaining-about-performance-issues/|access-date=2021-01-13|website=gamesradar|date=December 10, 2020|language=en}} and in some cases, saw a delayed ability to download the game.{{Cite web|last=Thier|first=Dave|title=Don't Worry If Your 'Cyberpunk 2077' Steam Download Gets Stuck At 57.4 Gb|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2020/12/09/dont-worry-if-your-cyberpunk-2077-steam-download-gets-stuck-at-574-gb/|access-date=2021-01-13|website=Forbes|language=en}} Players who ran the game through Stadia saw fewer instances of crashes and an overall smoother experience.{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=2020-12-10|title=Cyberpunk 2077 shines on next-gen consoles and Stadia, but older hardware struggles|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/10/22167303/cyberpunk-2077-ps5-console-google-stadia|access-date=2021-01-13|website=The Verge|language=en}}

Cancelled games

The following games were announced for the Stadia but never received a Stadia release due to the discontinuation of the service in 2023. All were released on other platforms.

class="wikitable sortable"

!Title !! Developer !! Publisher !! Reference(s)

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

|Massive Entertainment

|Ubisoft

|{{Cite news |last=Romano|first=Sal |date=June 12, 2021 |title=Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PC, and Stadia

|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-pc-and-stadia |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=gmatsu.com}}

Baldur's Gate 3

|Larian Studios

|{{Cite news |last=Ryan|first=Sal |date= February 27, 2020 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Devs on Stadia-Exclusive Features and Early Access Plans

|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-stadia-exclusive-features-early-access-contents-release |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=}}{{Cite news |last=Franzese |first=Thomas |date= August 8, 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 could have saved Google Stadia

|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-stadia-exclusive-features-early-access-contents-release |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=IGN}}

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (Expansion pack)

|CD Projekt RED

|CD Projekt

|{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Kyle |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Cyberpunk 2077 DLC 'Phantom Liberty' is coming to Stadia, but not last-gen consoles

|url=https://9to5google.com/2022/09/06/cyberpunk-2077-phantom-liberty-stadia/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=9to5Google}}

Skull and Bones

|Ubisoft Singapore

|Ubisoft

|{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=2022-07-07 |title=Skull and Bones Release Date Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/skull-and-bones-release-date-announced |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}

XDefiant{{efn|Discontinued and servers shuttered entirely in 2025.}}

|Ubisoft San Francisco

|Ubisoft

|{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2021-07-19 |title=Ubisoft announces Tom Clancy's XDefiant, a colorfully chaotic free-to-play FPS |url=https://www.polygon.com/22583452/ubisoft-tom-clancy-xdefiance-trailer-announcement-release-date |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

Notes

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |last1=Amadeo |first1=Ron |title=Google announces 'Project Stream'—a 'test' of game streaming in Chrome |work=Ars Technica |date=2018-10-01 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/10/google-announces-project-stream-a-test-of-game-streaming-in-chrome/ |access-date=2019-01-01 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225085527/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/10/google-announces-project-stream-a-test-of-game-streaming-in-chrome/ |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{Cite web |last1=Machkovech |first1=Sam |title=Google's Project Stream: That's really a full Assassin's Creed in my browser |work=Ars Technica |date=2018-10-09 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/10/googles-project-stream-thats-really-a-full-assassins-creed-in-my-browser/ |access-date=2019-01-01 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011194804/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/10/googles-project-stream-thats-really-a-full-assassins-creed-in-my-browser/ |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{Cite web |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=Streaming Assassin's Creed Odyssey in Google Chrome is surprisingly great |work=Polygon |date=2018-10-08 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/8/17953130/project-stream-game-streaming-assassins-creed-odyssey |access-date=2019-01-01 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217072701/https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/8/17953130/project-stream-game-streaming-assassins-creed-odyssey |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{Cite web |last1=Etienne |first1=Stefan |title=Google's Project Stream is a working preview of the future of game streaming |work=The Verge |date=2018-10-08 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/8/17950998/google-project-stream-gaming-assasins-creed-odyssey-first-impression |access-date=2019-01-01 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226181813/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/8/17950998/google-project-stream-gaming-assasins-creed-odyssey-first-impression |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |last1=Techno |first1=Highly |title=Google's Stadia Gaming Platform |url=https://highlytechno.com/googles-stadia-gaming-platform-price-specifications/ |website=HighlyTechno |publisher=Shubham |access-date=20 March 2019 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327185533/https://highlytechno.com/googles-stadia-gaming-platform-price-specifications/ |url-status=usurped }}

}}