Time for some exciting gaming news. Google Stadia is officially launching later this year and even better still, it’s coming to Ireland. Here’s everything you need to know about the ultimate democratisation of gaming.
What is Google Stadia?
To be totally honest, I can see Google Stadia being the end of console gaming. The best way to describe Stadia is to remember what Netflix did to DVDs. We used to rent or buy DVD’s to watch in a DVD player to enjoy the latest movies. Netflix came along, and suddenly the need for DVD players disappeared because we no longer watched movies on DVD.
Google Stadia will do the same for gaming. You pay a monthly subscription, just like Netflix, and stream games to your TV instead of using a console. You need a few bits and pieces to make this happen, but it’s kind of as simple as that.
But, surely you need a massive internet connection?
You’ll need a pretty decent internet connection for Google Stadia, but nothing too insane. Now, I do understand that rural internet is in a jock in Ireland and that it’s very easy for the country boy in Dublin to say the internet requirements aren’t unrealistic. Regardless, here’s what you’ll need:
4K at 60 fps will require a minimum connection speed of 30 Mbps is recommended.
Buffer and lag-free 1080p games at 60 fps, a connection speed of 25 Mbp is considered optimal.
What else do you need for Google Stadia?
The most important thing here is what you don’t need. You don’t need a games console. Google Stadia can be played on TV through Chromecast, laptops, tablets and Pixel phones like Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL.
The most important thing here is what you don’t need -You don’t need a games console
If you’re opting to play on Chromecast, you will need a Google Stadia controller and a Chromecast. You’ll also need a decent internet connection.
Finally, you’ll need a Google Stadia membership which costs €9.99 per month.
If you’re a paying Stadia Pro member, you’ll have new games regularly made available to you but will likely still need to purchase some titles. However, if you want to you can play games using a Stadia Base membership. This has no monthly fee and is limited to 1080p.
As part of the Google Stadia launch, you can buy the Founder’s Edition package. This gives you nearly €300 worth of gear for €129.99. In the Founder’s Edition pack you’ll get:
- A Chromecast Ultra
- A limited-edition Night Blue Stadia Controller
- Three months of Stadia Pro
- A three month Buddy Pass to bring one friend along for the ride
- Dibs on selecting a Stadia Name
If you’re thinking multiplayer, you can pick up an additional controller for €69.99.
What games are available on Google Stadia?
Alongside the test game Assassin’s Creed, from the teaser trailer, it looked like we’d definitely get DOOM and NBA, but now that the announcement has been made, we’re getting a whole lot more. Stadia Pro members will be able to play Destiny 2, including all previous add-ons and the upcoming Shadowkeep expansion, including annual pass.
Here’s the latest complete list of games that will launch on Stadia in Ireland this November.
When does Google Stadia launch?
Google Stadia launches this November in 14 countries. Most importantly, Ireland is included in the launch countries alongside the U.S., Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the U.K. More countries will be added in 2020.
The TL;DR: Why you should be excited
There’s nothing worse than sitting down to play a game only to see there’s a 2GB update waiting. Everything is handled by Google up in the cloud. What does that mean? You don’t have to wait around for updates. The monthly membership model means you can dip in and out of your gaming entertainment needs. Going travelling? Cancel it for a few months. Finally, it’s future proof. When the next Xbox comes out, your old one is dead in the water. Google Stadia is, in theory, futureproof.
The big things to remember here are:
- Google Stadia is coming to Ireland in November
- You can pre-order Founder’s Edition pack for €129.99 today
- Follow Goosed.ie for the latest news and reviews as this launches in Ireland
