Google Stadia

Stadia was a <a href="/facts/Cloud_gaming/mqTSvXs8">cloud gaming</a> service developed and operated by <a href="/facts/Google/GT9Sugza">Google</a>. Known in development as Project Stream, the service debuted through a <a href="/facts/Software_release_life_cycle/z4Q4RElA">closed beta</a> in October 2018, and publicly launched in November 2019. Stadia was accessible through <a href="/facts/Chromecast_Ultra/0EztvB0h">Chromecast Ultra</a> and <a href="/facts/Android_TV/0HHdAs3N">Android TV</a> devices, on personal computers via the <a href="/facts/Google_Chrome/4INfWq37">Google Chrome</a> web browser and other <a href="/facts/Chromium_(web_browser)/F1S8sAEt">Chromium</a>-based browsers, <a href="/facts/Chromebook/6aAkFzLV">Chromebooks</a> and tablets running <a href="/facts/ChromeOS/zH0B5Xtk">ChromeOS</a>, and the Stadia <a href="/facts/Mobile_app/r7vp6meo">mobile app</a> on supported <a href="/facts/Android_(operating_system)/nNyHb0xz">Android</a> devices. There was also an experimental mode with support for all Android devices that were capable of installing the Stadia mobile app. In December 2020, Google released an <a href="/facts/IOS/mK5cggH5">iOS</a> browser-based <a href="/facts/Progressive_web_application/IpkL2Yhb">progressive web application</a> for Stadia, enabling gameplay in the <a href="/facts/Safari_(web_browser)/9R8v7tNl">Safari</a> browser.
Stadia was capable of streaming video games to players from the company's numerous <a href="/facts/Google_data_centers/WeRBWwtd">data centers</a> at up to <a href="/facts/4K_resolution/Ehhhg0rD">4K resolution</a> and 60 <a href="/facts/Frame_rate/sbRkc9xa">frames per second</a>, with support for <a href="/facts/High-dynamic-range_video/jzRH1mFe">high-dynamic-range</a> (HDR) video. It offered the option to purchase games from its store, along with a selection of free-to-play games. While the base service was free and allowed users to stream at resolutions up to 1080p, a <a href="/facts/Premium_business_model/aPn4ep9v">Stadia Pro</a> monthly subscription allowed for a maximum resolution of 4K, <a href="/facts/5.1_surround_sound/06YwT1nX">5.1 surround sound</a>, <a href="/facts/High_dynamic_range/n4yFQ5tG">HDR</a>, and offered a growing collection of free games that—once claimed—remained in the user's library whenever they had an active subscription. Both tiers allowed users to play online multiplayer games without any additional costs. Stadia was integrated with <a href="/facts/YouTube/db276jst">YouTube</a>, and its "state share" feature allowed players to launch a supported game from a <a href="/facts/Saved_game/s05dfbad">save state</a> shared by another player via <a href="/facts/Permalink/Icpw95Qq">permalink</a>. The service supported Google's proprietary Stadia <a href="/facts/Game_controller/2PkNFsUX">game controller</a>, along with various non-Stadia controllers through <a href="/facts/USB/XcIKWLyg">USB</a> and <a href="/facts/Bluetooth/sWAjpMrj">Bluetooth</a> connections.
The service was in competition with other cloud gaming services, including <a href="/facts/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment/tnH01NqQ">Sony</a>'s <a href="/facts/PlayStation_Plus/EbgUUDz0">PlayStation Plus</a> cloud streaming, <a href="/facts/Nvidia/8QfCgqbu">Nvidia</a>'s <a href="/facts/GeForce_Now/rBxKfa2z">GeForce Now</a>, <a href="/facts/Amazon_(company)/YzUTUVE8">Amazon</a>'s <a href="/facts/Amazon_Luna/3AHPKtRG">Luna</a>, and <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>'s <a href="/facts/Xbox_Cloud_Gaming/SDyqguHq">Xbox Cloud Gaming</a>. Stadia initially received a mixed reception from reviewers, with most criticism directed at its limited library of games and lack of promised features. Google had initially intended to develop in-house games in addition to hosting games produced by third parties, but abandoned this plan in February 2021, shutting down its studios. The service continued to sell third party games, and Google offered the game-streaming technology as a <a href="/facts/White-label_product/JH3yWfqc">white-label product</a>. Google announced in September 2022 that it would be shutting down Stadia; the service went offline permanently on January 18, 2023. Google refunded those that bought the hardware, and provided a software update to the Stadia controller to enable Bluetooth connectivity for use on computers, phones, tablets, and game consoles.

Google Stadia open-in-new

Google Stadia