Google Stadia
Google Stadia launched recently, and the announcement had some big buzz around it. I signed up to get a premiere-edition controller and the Google Chromecast Ultra. Google Stadia promises to let you play up to 4,000 games on your TV — no console needed. You simply play on the screens you already own. This means less clutter, such as wires, game cases, and more. You also do not need to wait to download updates to any games because the latest version will stream right to you. Games are rendered on the remote servers, and then the game is served to the gamer at the same time as it is receiving input from that gamer.
Streaming Games
There are already several streaming services out there, such as Steam Link, PS4 Remote PlayRainway, Remotr, and more. For most of them, you need a computer in order to play. With Google Stadia, you need only your television, laptop, tablet, or Google Pixel 3 and 3a. At launch, there will be 22 games to play, including Destiny 2 as a free game for subscribers of Stadia Pro, which is a $9.99 per month subscription. You can buy games through the service as well. Fans are still a bit in the dark as to how this will work, but if you pay $9.99 per month for Stadia Pro, you get games at a discount.
Microsoft Project xCloud
While Stadia seeks to be a replacement for consoles, another video streaming service wishes to be complementary to existing consoles. Microsoft’s Project xCloud is currently available to Android users as a public preview, while ioS and other users will be added as the preview period continues. At this time, the preview has 50 games to play. This is double what Stadia will have upon launch. Then, there is the back catalog of more than 3,500 Xbox games that players will eventually be able to play on xCloud.
Those who got into the public preview needed to have a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox controller and a clip to hold their phone. Luckily for me, I was accepted into the public preview, which started with five games. I was able to play Gears of War 5, Halo 5, Killer Instinct, and more. A couple of days later, the library inflated to 53 games, including Madden 20, Hitman, and Just Cause 4. A co-worker of mine was also accepted into the public preview, and he has been raving about the service.
The xCloud service will also have an xCloud console that players can use to tap into games that they already own; with the service, you can play — and advance in — those games from anywhere. You do not need to be on your home network to do so. This is one way that the xCloud service will act as a complement to your existing console.
While there are no pricing numbers for xCloud yet, it will likely have a standalone price and/or be bundled in with some of the Xbox Games Pass options.
What do you think? Are you excited for these video game streaming services?
