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  • Google Stadia Update: All Pricing Options on the Table

    Google Stadia Update: All Pricing Options on the Table

    When Google unveiled its ambitious Stadia streaming service last month, the biggest question lingering over it was the cost. Will the service be subscription-based? Will users purchase games in the same way they would from Steam? Or, will there be an altogether different pricing model?

    Google’s Phil Harrison has partially addressed these questions, speaking at the LA GamesBeat Summit earlier this week. Harrison stated, “Our platform at a fundamental level has been architected to support a very wide variety of what people call ‘monetization options.’ Everything from purchase to transaction to subscription.”

    Stadia Pricing Models

    Google Stadia

    Google Stadia is Google’s upcoming foray into the world of games-on-demand streaming. The service promises to stream games to nearly any screen or device you can connect to the Internet and will allow you to use whatever controller you would like. The service has been met with cautious optimism by some, and outright suspicion by others.

    On the one hand, some have noted that the potential of streaming high-quality, 4K, 60 FPS games to any screen without needing any hardware will be quite enticing to some customers. However, others have noted that the system is unlikely to be as stable or clean as Google is promising.

    Pricing Question

    Many observers saw Stadia as likely to be Google’s attempt to create a Netflix-like subscription model for games. This would look similar to Xbox Games Pass or PlayStation Now, which both allow for access to a large library of games for a monthly fee.

    However, according to Harrison, Stadia’ systems will allow for a variety of pricing options. “There is no technical limitation on how we have architected the platform to support a variety of business models,” Harrison explained at the GamesBeat Summit.

    In Practice

    Stadia will allow for what Google is calling “frictionless” discovery of new games. For instance, a Stadia user could be watching a favorite YouTuber play a game, and then click open the exact spot the video is in into their game. It would make sense if Stadia allowed for a games pass subscription or timed free trials for these sorts of “discovery” play sessions.

    In short, Stadia is attempting to subvert the normal “storefront” experience of buying games. Google’s marketing holds that Stadia will allow for a more immersive culture of sharing and discovering games. Harrison noted that friends could even text you a link to a new game, and you could open it and stream it directly to your phone to try it out.

    We’re reserving judgement on the ambitious-sounding system until it becomes a reality. Time will tell if Google can deliver on the lofty promises they’ve made regarding the service.

  • Google Stadia: What is it, and What Does it Mean?

    Google Stadia: What is it, and What Does it Mean?

    Google recently announced their upcoming Stadia game-streaming service, and people have been talking. Google promises seamless streaming of 4K, AAA game without the end-user needing any hardware besides a screen and an internet connection. Is this too good to be true? What could this mean for the gaming industry?

    Google Stadia

    Is This Real Life?

    Game streaming actually isn’t all that new. The technology for streaming games has been used by other companies to limited success previously. Notably, Capcom even allowed Resident Evil VII to stream to the Nintendo Switch in Japan. However, reviewers have noted that big, AAA games require a pretty good, stable internet connection to run well.

    If Google’s promised 4K game streaming is to become a reality, internet infrastructure in the US will be a hurdle to overcome. Many people that live in rural areas simply don’t have access to lightning-fast internet. Without that, how will they stream the kinds of games Google is promising?

    Pricing

    A big question mark regarding Stadia, at the moment, is the business model. Will this be a subscription service that gives the user access to a library of games for a monthly fee? Will the service itself be free but require you to buy games? Or, worst of all could these just be game “rentals” that charge you for play time?

    Pricing will be a huge factor in Stadia’s performance. We speculate that the most successful permutation for Google would be to operate a Netflix-like subscription service. You pay, say, $20 per month and get access to a library of games. No fuss, no mess, games on demand. Everyone is happy. This, however, isn’t all to consider.

    Ownership

    One of the concerns raised by many gamers following the Stadia announcement is anxiety over ownership. At present, most games get physical media releases. The physical media, whether it be disk or cartridge, contains the game’s data. That means you can play it even long after its developer and publisher stop supporting it.

    The same isn’t true of a service like Stadia. With Stadia, you don’t actually own the games, as Google’s servers have all of the data. If you want to play a game that isn’t on the service anymore, well tough. Likewise, if you want to sell your old games that you aren’t playing anymore, you can’t. You don’t own them, so you have nothing to show for the money you’ve spent gaming.

    Bottom Line

    Will Google Stadia shake up the gaming landscape and make consoles obsolete? Or, will it fizzle out like many of Google’s other ill-fated ventures? Time will tell. Until then, we’re eagerly awaiting news on when Stadia launches, and how much it’ll cost.