Google Stadia - Everything you need to know (Update - Cellular support) - Android
Updated, July 28, 2020: Google Stadia is now testing out cellular support for streaming games on 4G and 5G smartphones. We have added info on that new update and how Stadia users can try it out.
Last year, Google announced Project Stream, a limited streaming test built around Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. After a short test period in January, the project ended and Google kept pretty quiet about its future game streaming plans. At GDC 2019, Google finally broke the silence with the announcement of Stadia.
The idea of a streaming gaming service is nothing new (remember Onlive?), but Google’s service is one of the most ambitious attempts yet.
Simply put, Google Stadia is a game-streaming service that works on all the screens you own. Whether you’re playing on your television, your phone, your laptop, or your tablet, you can enjoy AAA game titles on all of them.
How is this possible? Google servers handle the actual rendering of the game and then it streams the gameplay to your device. In other words, you can play any Stadia title on any system you like because your system isn’t actually running the game: Google is. This opens up high-quality gaming to anyone, including people who can’t afford an expensive gaming PC or aren’t interested in buying the latest console.
Related: Google Stadia review: This is the future of gaming if you have the data for it
The cloud-based service works seamlessly with Chromecast Ultra when connected to a TV. It also supports the Chrome Browser on desktops, laptops, and tablets (including Chrome OS). It also supports a limited number of smartphones, specifically Google’s Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a and the new Pixel 4 devices.
In February Stadia expanded the number of its supported smartphones with 19 more handsets. Here’s the full list:
In June, Google announced that any Android phone would work with Stadia. Even those not on the list above can use the service by downloading the Stadia app, going to the Experiments tab, and clicking Play on this device.
With Stadia, you can also instantly switch devices any time you like — even if you’re in the middle of playing — making it possible to take your game experience anywhere. Until recently you needed a Wi-Fi connection in order to play. However, on July 28, Google Stadia started testing cellular connections on 4G and 5G networks. Users can download the Stadia app, tap on their avatar, then tap on the Experiments tab. Finally, users can tap on the Use Mobile Data option to begin trying out the new cellular support.
The service is based on Linux and uses Vulkan, so it supports many of the most popular game development engines, including Unreal and Unity.
Interested in learning more about Google Stadia? The app is now available to download by clicking the button below.
As a cloud-based service, all the heavy lifting with Stadia is performed by a remote PC. That means it doesn’t really matter whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer — the experience will be pretty much the same. Google says that Stadia users will have access to the power of a custom AMD 2.7GHz x86 processor with 16GB RAM, up to 484GB/s transfer speed, and a GPU that has 10.7 teraflops of power.
Stadia gives you the same experience from any device, as long as you have the connection to handle it
That makes Google’s platform more powerful than any gaming console on the market right now. It also has the advantage of being easier to upgrade as hardware upgrades happen remotely at the server-side.
Of course, how good the game looks will depend both on your internet connection as well as the device you are using. If you are playing on a Chromecast Ultra, you can play in 4K with HDR support and 5.1 surround sound, assuming you have a television, sound system, and fast enough internet connection to support those features.
Speaking of internet connections, here’s what you’ll need:
Keep in mind that the only way to play in 4K is on a Chromecast Ultra.
In the future, Google will also offer 8K gaming support, though it doesn’t specify how far off that is or which systems it will work on. Don’t expect VR support for now either, with the firm simply saying it has “no news to share at this point.”
In July, Google Stadia launched Crayta, which allows groups of people to collaborate on not just playing games, but also creating new games. This is the first game that supports Stadia’s State Share feature. Basically, a player can send out a link to their Crayta game. Another gamer can click on that link, and they will be transported to the very moment in the game that the friend wants to show off.
Other future Stadia features worth highlighting include:
This $69 proprietary controller connects via Wi-Fi directly to Google’s servers for a (mostly) lag-free experience. Some of its key features include built-in Google Assistant support and a Capture button for saving and capturing gaming experience to YouTube.
As of right now, Google Assistant only works on the Stadia home screen for those using the Chromecast Ultra. That means there’s no in-game Google Assistant functionality yet.
Another unfortunate limitation with the Stadia controller currently is that it will only connect wirelessly to a TV with a Chromecast Ultra plugged into it. In all other scenarios, you will need to connect the controller to your system with the provided USB cable.
Another limitation of the Stadia controller is that it has no Bluetooth capabilities at the moment. That means you cannot use the controller as a generic gamepad on other systems, such as your PC or your smartphone.
If you’re using the official controller on your smartphone, Google has a fun accessory you can buy to help out: the Power Support Claw. The Claw snaps onto your controller and then you can clip your phone in to enjoy an all-in-one gaming experience.
Related: Here’s how Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo controllers work with Stadia
Of course, you don’t need to use the official controller to enjoy Stadia. While it’s arguably the best way to play because it goes straight to Google’s servers and reduces as much input lag as possible, any existing input scheme should work including third-party controllers, mice, and keyboards. That includes controllers from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and more. Check the full list below as well as the limitations of each:
