It's been a hot rumor for a while that Google has been interested in developing its own gaming service, and they didn't really try to hide it much after their Project Stream test just a few months ago. Now Project Stream is growing up into a full-fledged service called Stadia, a platform for streaming games to phones, PCs, and whatever else Google can get Chrome installed.
Project Stream, but better
Like Project Stream, Stadia games are actually running off of Google's own incredibly powerful infrastructure. They didn't give specific hardware, but they did detail some of the specs; you're getting 10.7 teraflops of power on the GPU side (an Xbox One X has about 6 teraflops, for reference) and a custom x86 processor, which all should pretty theoretically be able to handle most games at high resolutions and good refresh rates.
So long as you're running a compatible Chrome browser, you can get games streamed to your device. Several games will be ready for launch, and id talked about getting Doom Eternal ported onto the service and running at 4K 60fps with HDR. That version of the game will be out a couple weeks after the fact, and id's current engine seems ridiculously flexible, but that's still really promising.
Pick up and play
Stadia also claims to be able to launch a game within 5 seconds, and it supports all of your saves and files across devices. Google handles keeping all of the games up to date and installed, too, so there's no need to download constant patches and other annoying updates that you see with lots of newer games.
The only drawback, obviously, will be the huge amounts of data this thing will use, and the input lag and latency. I was able to test Project Stream and played a good bit of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and it was legitimately a 9/10 experience. It did use an absolute ton of data, though, and the input lag was noticeable enough that I could see it ruining a fast paced online game, like CS:GO or Call of Duty.
Google's taking this seriously
Google is working on some of its own first-party games for the service, too, so while you'll be able to play other AAA titles, Google should be trying its hand at game development, too.
Google unveiled a new controller to use with the Stadia service, too, which includes some buttons for capturing content and getting it quickly uploaded to YouTube.
I'll be honest with you guys, I don't love how the controllers look. They're a little too similar to knock-off, awful controllers that you can buy off Amazon for $20, and Google isn't exactly known for making ergonomic input devices. However, Stadia promises to support regular gamepads (IE an Xbox One controller or a DualShock 4) and mouse and keyboard for traditional PC experiences, which is great. Options are good.
Release date and availability
Google has a ton of data centers for Stadia set up around the US, and they're planning on releasing the service sometime in 2019 with more info coming this summer. It'll be available in the US and Europe, with more countries presumably to follow after the initial launch gets out of the way.
There's still a ton of uncertainty about services like Stadia and other similar platforms, like NVIDIA's GeForce Now, PlayStation Now, and whatever Microsoft will be releasing. Data caps can get in the way, latency isn't always perfect, and the pricing will have to be competitive with someone just buying a $199 Xbox One S and a couple games.
