Yesterday was announced the long awaited Google Stadia launch, which comes about eight months after it was announced at this year's GDC conference. Google finally offers a first version of Stadia, but it would be a beta version. This beta version of the service cloud games from Google is available for PC, TV and also for smartphones. The first impressions published this Monday indicate that we would still be far from the revolution announced by Google.
Google Stadia is the company's new cloud gaming service that will allow you to play games on Google servers from compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, televisions, and others. Google has promised that Stadia servers are capable of delivering 4K at 60 frames per second of performance.
Just one day after the launch, many have already given their impressions of the product since they were able to test Stadia in the preview before its official launch.
Most reviews indicate that Google Stadia is still in beta and that the company still has a lot of work to do if you really intend to replace the game console as mentioned last March at the GDC conference.
Since to execute it, Google released a package called »Founder's Edition» It contains a Chromecast Ultra and a dedicated controller, which can connect directly to game servers via Wi-Fi.
The launch is very simple since you just need to configure the Chromecast Ultra and then turn on the remote to configure it in turn. Everything is very simple to do and only takes a few minutes. According to reviews on Google Stadia, the service is working properly.
Although Google has indicated that a software update is coming for the rest of the devices so that the service can run. Although currently, in the category of phones, only Google Pixel is compatible with Stadia.
In addition to the standard game buttons, the remarkable characteristic of the command is that it is distinguished why offers tight integration with other Google services: one that launches the Google Assistant and another that can be set to instantly share a live stream to YouTube.
However, it appears that none of these features promised by the company are yet available. Google has indicated that a software update should make these services available very soon.
In fact, At launch, Stadia supports three ways to play:
- Physically connected the controller to a PC or Mac and load the Stadia website
- Physically connect the controller to a Pixel phone and play from the app
- Connecting wirelessly to a Chromecast and playing games on a TV.
Currently the Google Stadia TV interface is incomplete and does not offer a game store. Since at the moment only 22 games are offered by Google Stadia and it is quite short in terms of a decent catalog as far as it is concerned, since in this part it cannot even be compared with the console stores.
At the current stage, it is impossible to connect the controller to a phone other than a Pixel, it cannot be played on 4G. In addition to buying games, it must be done from the phone and even game streaming is currently only available on Pixels, although any phone can access the app to manage the profile, access the store, or play games on the Chromecast.
In the way it is designed, everyone has recognized that Google has achieved what it promised even that on the other hand, critics think it's a hasty releaseas the company is too comfortable in its ability to push subsequent software updates, without understanding the importance of offering first users what is promised and above all something for their loyalty.
Obviously Google has a lot of work ahead of it. The idea is very good but they must observe all the edges not only of their servers but of the users to whom it is directed and if they have the adequate infrastructure for this type of applications. Very good article. Greetings.