Google Stadia: Everything you need to know

988 'Stadia' stories March 2019 - October 2019

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Stadia is a streaming service that leverages Google’s cloud to deliver AAA games online.

Stadia Controllers hanging on a wall

What is Google Stadia?

Stadia was a streaming service that leverages Google’s vast cloud infrastructure to deliver AAA and indie games alike over the web without needing specialized gaming hardware. This ambitious effort follows in the footsteps of the company’s other large platforms: Search, Chrome, and Android. Google hopes to bring this form of entertainment to the next billion gamers by removing various limitations that exist today.

What happened to Google Stadia?

In September 2022, Google announced the closure of its Stadia platform. The cloud gaming platform later shut down on January 19, 2023. Refunds were issued to customers for the cost of games, add-ons, and Stadia hardware such as the Stadia Controller.

This is what the death of Google Stadia actually looked like [Video]

Most games on Stadia were already available on other platforms, and the few Stadia exclusives have mostly expanded to other platforms as well.

In April 2023 it was confirmed that Phil Harrison, the former head of Google Stadia, had left the company.

Stadia Controller will not work wirelessly with Pixels and desktops at launch

Abner Li Oct 16 2019 - 12:41 pm PT

Google announced yesterday that Stadia is officially launching on November 19th, and revealed a slew of more details. The company also revealed that “wireless play” on the Stadia Controller will only work with the Chromecast Ultra at launch.

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[Update: UK] Stadia Founder’s Edition sold out in Europe, Google adds ‘Premiere Edition’

Abner Li Oct 15 2019 - 12:40 pm PT

Stadia Premiere Edition

The second Stadia Connect in August was entirely focussed on games save for one tidbit from Google about Founder’s Edition being “almost sold out.” That has now occurred in “most of Europe” and in its place is Stadia Premiere Edition.

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Stadia tidbits: Android app & TV UI, packaging, and mobile device support

Abner Li Oct 15 2019 - 12:20 pm PT

google stadia box delivery

One of the first announcements at Made by Google 2019 revealed that Stadia is launching on November 19. A number of new details have also emerged at the event today, including the Google Stadia UI for Android phones and TVs, packaging, and which mobile devices are supported.

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Stadia

Google Stadia officially launching November 19

Abner Li Oct 15 2019 - 7:07 am PT

At Made by Google 2019, Google officially announced the launch date for Stadia. The game streaming service is coming on November 19.

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Stadia

Google Stadia could be ‘faster than local hardware’ by predicting player actions

Ben Schoon Oct 9 2019 - 9:37 am PT

google stadia

Google Stadia is set to launch in about a month at this point and we’re still learning what Google has planned post-launch. According to a Stadia VP, Google’s service will eventually be “faster” than a traditional gaming console by predicting button presses.

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Google Stadia: Here’s every game we’re expecting when it launches next month

Ben Schoon Oct 8 2019 - 1:56 pm PT

google stadia controller launch games

Google Stadia is set to launch for those who have pre-ordered the Founder’s Edition bundle in November, and many of us are excited to see what the platform will have to offer. However, the questions begs to be answered, what games will be available on Google Stadia at launch?

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doom eternal launch date google stadia

‘DOOM: Eternal’ delayed to March 2020, missing Google Stadia’s November launch

Ben Schoon Oct 8 2019 - 9:04 am PT

Google Stadia is launching in just a month, but it’s not totally clear what games will actually be available. One huge title, DOOM: Eternal, was just delayed from its original November launch date back to March of 2020.

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marvel avengers game kamala khan

After Hours: Kamala Khan joins ‘Avengers’ game, Instagram Threads, more

Ben Schoon Oct 4 2019 - 5:30 pm PT

As the week comes to a close, we saw a robot kill a Galaxy Fold, a report that Google wants to compete with TikTok, and confirmation of Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to Stadia. Alongside that, however, it was revealed that Kamala Khan would arrive in the upcoming Avengers game and more.

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‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ confirmed for Google Stadia ‘at launch,’ following debut on PC

Kyle Bradshaw Oct 4 2019 - 8:43 am PT

Red Dead Redemption 2 for Google Stadia

We’re now only a month away from the launch of Stadia, Google’s premium game streaming service, with support for streaming games in up to 4K at 60FPS. Today, Google has announced another title coming to Stadia, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2.

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Stadia profile reveals Chromecast origins, Google’s Star Labs, & ‘next billion gamers’

Abner Li Oct 2 2019 - 8:27 pm PT

google stadia

As Stadia nears its launch next month, the press tour for the game streaming service is ramping up. Wired UK just ran an in-depth Google Stadia profile on the effort that discusses its origins and prototype game development.

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microsoft project xcloud

Microsoft prepares public preview of its Google Stadia competitor, Project xCloud

Ben Schoon Sep 25 2019 - 9:57 am PT

Game streaming is poised to make some big changes to the industry over the next few years, and Google Stadia is helping to lead the charge. Now, Microsoft’s “Project xCloud” is accepting sign-ups for a public preview of the platform.

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Here’s what Google has planned for Android TV: Stadia support, ‘hero device’

Ben Schoon Sep 16 2019 - 7:53 am PT

IBC 2019 saw a fair bit of news regarding Android TV’s work with operators, but Google also hosted a presentation which revealed a ton of details regarding the platform. While that presentation hasn’t been made public, a leaked roadmap for Google’s work on Android TV has surfaced which confirms Stadia support and more.

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Google Stadia controller

Google Store briefly noted November 12-13 delivery date for Stadia Controller

Abner Li Sep 10 2019 - 10:32 pm PT

Earlier today, Google made the Wasabi Stadia Controller available in all 14 countries where the game-streaming service is launching this November. The company has yet to specify an exact timeframe for the launch, but the Google Store today briefly provided a possible Stadia Controller delivery date.

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Google Stadia launch details

Wasabi Stadia Controller now available in Nordic and Canadian Google Stores

Abner Li Sep 10 2019 - 3:15 pm PT

When pre-orders for Stadia Founder’s Edition opened, Google allowed users to buy additional Stadia Controllers. Available in three colors, Google for some reason did not offer “Wasabi” in Canada and other Nordic regions. That’s changing today with the Google Store in those countries now offering the mint green color.

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Google Stadia VP talks free game trials, controllers, cross-platform saves, more

Ben Schoon Sep 10 2019 - 7:53 am PT

google stadia

In a recent appearance on the Stadiacast podcast, Google’s VP and Head of Product for Stadia confirmed some more details about the platform including talking about the controller, free trials, and more.

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Football Manager 2020 Google Stadia

Football Manager on Google Stadia will let you run more leagues than ever

Damien Wilde Aug 28 2019 - 6:28 am PT

The Google Stadia version of the upcoming soccer management simulator Football Manager 2020 is set to provide the optimum experience by offering processing power only possible on high-end gaming rigs.

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Early Google Stadia players give their impressions on the service [Video]

Ben Schoon Aug 25 2019 - 5:55 am PT

google stadia

Google Stadia is set to arrive later this year, and at the company’s massive booth at Gamescom 2019, it offered demos to some eager players. Here are some early impressions on Google Stadia from those who tried it first.

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[Update: Video tour] Here’s the Google Stadia booth at Gamescom and yes, it has a slide

Ben Schoon Aug 23 2019 - 7:40 am PT

google stadia gamescom booth

Google Stadia brought its second Connect and a handful of new games to Gamescom 2019 this week, but it also showed up on the show floor. Here are a few shots of the Google Stadia Gamescom booth from those who attended the annual event.

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First glimpse at Google Stadia UI spotted at Gamescom, here’s what it probably means

Kyle Bradshaw Aug 22 2019 - 8:52 am PT

Stadia UI

The public is flooding Gamescom in Germany this week, and after a decent showing from Google at the second Stadia Connect event, they’re also on-site to offer hands-on time with the new service. The Stadia hands-on experience at Gamescom has revealed our first real look at Google Stadia UI, showing a sleek friends list view.

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[Update: On homepage] Google Stadia ad will appear on your first search today

Abner Li Aug 21 2019 - 8:30 am PT

Google Search Stadia ad

At the first Stadia Connect livestream, Google unveiled key details about its game streaming service, including pricing and titles. A day later, the company is advertising Stadia across Google Search.

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‘Orcs Must Die 3’ is the latest Google Stadia exclusive, coming in 2020

Ben Schoon Aug 19 2019 - 10:56 am PT

orcs must die 3 stadia

Google Stadia is announcing its second set of new titles for the platform at Gamescom this week, and Orcs Must Die 3 has been revealed as one of the platform’s latest exclusives.

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Stadia

Google says Stadia Founder’s Edition ‘almost sold out’ in some countries

Abner Li Aug 19 2019 - 10:19 am PT

Stadia Founder's Edition

Today’s Stadia Connect kicked off with a recap of Google’s upcoming game streaming service. This included how Stadia Founder’s Edition lets you be one of the first players this November. Google just noted how the launch bundle is “almost sold out” in some countries.

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Here’s all 7 games announced during the second Stadia Connect

Kyle Bradshaw Aug 19 2019 - 10:07 am PT

Stadia Games destiny 2

The second Stadia Connect event is going on now, a day ahead of Gamescom, and Google has said that the main focus of the event is games. Without a doubt, we’ll be seeing a plethora of new titles announced for the streaming platform. Here’s a continuously updated list of every game Google has announced during the second Stadia Connect.

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‘Cyberpunk 2077’ confirmed for Google Stadia

Kyle Bradshaw Aug 19 2019 - 10:04 am PT

Cyberpunk 2077 Stadia

Without a doubt, the most hyped game at E3 2019 was Cyberpunk 2077 from CD Projekt Red, of The Witcher series fame. When the game debuted, however, there was no sign of support for Google’s Stadia game streaming service. During the second Stadia Connect, Google and CD Projekt Red have confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 is coming to Google Stadia.

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