Google Stadia conference with pricing, games, and release details set for June 6th at Noon EST/ 9 AM PST

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This space is going to be very fun to watch over the next decade.

I like the potential that Stadia has to offer being exclusively Cloud based. This is where I am hoping to see Google really flex when it comes to their exclusives. I would love to see Stadia exclusive Open World games that take advantage of being able to use 2 or 3 or 10 Stadia instances at once, and the Unlimited Storage capacity. Basically, there is no limit besides time and talent when it comes to Stadia exclusives. Although I am not an Online Multiplayer fan, I am also very interested to see where they can go with Stadia Exclusives in this space as well. Having every player running the game from the same server farm sounds like it could offer a very unique experience. Limiting the amount of factors, makes it sound like Stadia could be the ultimate platform for OLMP.

The business model at the moment sounds decent enough, and there is obviously room for more options as time passes. I like that you can actually buy the games, and are not required to have a subscription to play, even if it is lower quality. Logic says that as time passes, both Stadia Pro and Stadia Base quality will improve. In time I will not be surprised to see Stadia Pro move to 8K/60, while Stadia Base moves to 4K/60. As their library grows, I think there is a very good possability of a PS Now/Game Pass like Model being offered for those that just want a constant flow of new games via a subscription rather than buying a life time digital license.

After seeing the event today I went ahead and grabbed the Founder's Bundle and a 2nd Controller. I personally, don't see myself using the service for 3rd party titles. That is still somthing I will play via Windows 10 Store or PlayStation Store. I will likely grab a few to test the service out, as I do with all platforms, but after that it will be all about the exclusives they put on offer.


I know this is not the service people on gaming forms and gaming websites are looking for, but honestly it is not for us. It is a service for people that don't care about consoles, and the idea of being able to play Call of Duty, Fifa, NBA 2K, or Grand Theft Auto on the devices they already own, without the need to drop $300 - $500 on a console will be well recieved.

Googles hardest battle will be showing why people should choose their service over PS Now, xCloud, or any other streaming service that arrives in the coming years. No one is going to stand still in this space, because it is going to grow, and will more than likely be the main way people play Console/PC style games within the next decade. I have little doubt that Sony and Microsoft will both be offering new games via streaming on xCloud and PS Now either by the end of the year, or by the release of PS5 and XB4 at the latest. In the case of their services, I expect both to offer the option to buy the game, and be able to play via both streaming and downloading. That is something that I believe will help them both garner the support of the core gaming community.

Now where I think Google has a great oppertunity to grow Stadia is through the power of Youtube. Almost everyone watching any form of gaming media is doing so through YouTube. Every trailer, for every system goes up on YouTube. When stuff like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Grand Theft Auto 6 have a click here to play now button, that takes people watching on their PC, TV, Tablet, and Smartphone to Stadia, and has them playing in 5 seconds, that is going to be powerful marketing. That is the kind of stuff that is going to pull in the people using XB and PS that see spending even $200 on a console, as a massive burden. They don't care about physical games, input lag, or ownership, they just want the cheapest, and simplist way to play. Stadia will deliver this. That same thing will bring in a lot of people that currently don't play games, simiply because, it is so easy to do, you can basically, accidentally start playing.

Another thing that is going to help Google slip into the market is the end of siloed off OLMP, and as far as I can tell right now, no required Subscription for OLMP. When the casual gamers can still play with their freinds on PSN and XBL via Stadia, that will really help draw people in. If OLMP is indeed free, then that person that only plays COD, or FIFA, or NBA 2K every year, can save $400 not buying a PS5/XB4, and $60 a year for PS+/XBLG, while still being able to play with their freinds. This may be an instance where Google forces the end of OLMP being pushed behind the pay wall.

That wraps up my thoughts on Stadia at the moment. As I opened with, this is going to be a very exciting space to watch going forward. Will Google stay dedicated? Can they grab users from the PS/XB ecosystems? Will the gaming market see a spike in growth due to the ease of access, and massive reduction in cost to play?

I just have to say one last thing. I really hope no one limits themselves from experiences due to stubbornness. It is great to have your own idea of how things should be, but don't let that stop you from enjoying reality. If a Stadia Exclusive is released that looks great to you, play it. Wait until they have a free trial, wait until it is $9.99. Use your PC, TV, Tablet, Phone, and the Conrtoller you already have, but don't restrict yourself from an experience you will enjoy. That goes for all platforms going forward, as these streaming services become an option. You don't have to drop $400, $300, $200, or even $100 on a specific device to play Mario, Halo, or Uncharted anymore. You will be able to grab the game for next to nothing, and play on the devices you already have. It is a great thing. Enjoy life, enjoy gaming, enjoy every opportunity, and put aside prejudice.