Google Stadia launches in November

Streaming platform Google Stadia will launch in 14 counties in November 2019, Google announced on Thursday.

More than 30 Stadia launch games have been confirmed, including Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Destiny 2, The Division 2, Mortal Kombat and Ghost Recon: Breakpoint.

To access Stadia in 2019, purchase of a $129 / £119 Founder’s Edition is required.

At launch, a $9.99 / £8.99 monthly subscription will also be required, with games not included in the Stadia Pro library purchased separately. A free service will launch in 2020.

The company recommends an internet speed of at least 10 mbps for a bottom line “720p experience” on Stadia.

To play Stadia on a television, a Stadia controller ($69 / £59) and Chromecast Ultra ($69 / £69) is required. On PC and mobile, “many” controllers will work via USB.

On mobile, Stadia will only run on Pixel 3 and 3a devices at launch.

Stadia’s Pro subscription will cost $9.99 / £8.99 monthly and will allow streaming of games up to 4K HDR resolution at 60 FPS with 5.1 surround sound. The Pro subscription will also offer discounts and free games “released regularly,” starting with Destiny 2.

Stadia Base, which streams up to 1080p / Stereo and allows players to purchase and play games without a subscription, will launch in 2020.

A limited Founder’s Edition will release at $129 / £119 and include a Chromecast Ultra, limited edition blue controller, three-month subscription and a second three-month sub to gift to a friend.

Those who purchase the Founder’s Edition will also be first to secure their Stadia username, said Google.

Additional Google Stadia controllers will be available for $69 / £59 in white, black and ‘wasabi’ green.

Revealed at the Game Developers Conference in March, Google claims Stadia will be able to stream ‘better-than-console-quality’ games on computers, TVs, tablets and mobiles.

“Our vision for Stadia is simple,” said the platform’s vice president and GM, Phil Harrison. ”One place for all the ways we play, where the worlds of watching and playing games converge into a new generation gaming platform, to connect game developers with players and YouTube creators in a way that only Google can.

“On Stadia, you just need to click on a YouTube video or link and you can be playing your game instantly with no download, no update, no patch and no install.”