Google Stadia: Internet speed, hardware requirements and more
GoogleInternet giants Google have officially announced their entry into the gaming market with the reveal of Stadia, but what will you need to access the upcoming game-streaming platform?
Google unveiled Stadia at GDC 2019 on Tuesday, March 2019, announcing their intention to launch a high-end games streaming system that will allow consumers to play any game through the Chrome browser on any device.
Many are excited about the prospect of Google’s push into the gaming market and what it means for players, but some have concerns about the hardware required to use platform, and what constraints will be in place due to internet speed.
Kotaku have sat down with Google Vice President Phil Harrison to pose some of these questions to him, giving fans a chance to see whether they will be able to join the streaming service.
What hardware will you need to use Google Stadia?
The good news is that due to the fact that the games will be streamed to the player, hardware constraints are very minimal. Any computer that can run the Google Chrome browser will be able to play high-end games on the new system.
For those who would like to play on their TV, there will be some outlay. Google Stadia will stream directly to Chromecast, but Harrison confirmed: “In order to reach our Chromecast, you will need the Stadia controller.”
Players will need the Stadia controller to use Stadia on their TV.What internet speed do you need to run Stadia?
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Stadia is the internet speeds that will be required to run it. With AAA titles expected to stream in high-fidelity, it’s widely believed that many potential users will not have the infrastructure in their home to cope with the service.
Harrison states that after performing tests with Project Stream late last year, they found that “to get 1080P at 60 frames-per-second, it required approximately 25 megabits-per-second. In fact, we use less than that, but that’s where we put our recommended limit.”
The Google VP also said that innovations since Project Stream mean that when the service launches they will be able to offer 4K at around 30 megabits-per-second, and the service will automatically offer you the appropriate bandwidth for the internet connection you have.
Doom Eternal will be one of the major titles available on Google Stadia.How much will it cost?
Fans are eager to find out how much they will have to shell out for Google Stadia, but Harrison confirmed that there will be no word on the price point any time soon, stating that Google would delve into the price in greater detail in the summer.
Google Stadia is expected to launch in late 2019. Be sure to stay tuned to @Dexerto for all the latest news regarding the game-streaming platform.