Google finally made a Stadia advert that doesn't suck

Honestly... Stadia is still a bit bass ackwards to me. Now, I'm not a "hard core" gamer, personally. I like good visuals and a high refresh rate like a lot of people, but I don't bug out on a frame drop or two and I can still play PS1 era 3D and enjoy the game... but still, the technical prowess to push what google says Stadia can do graphics wise would be taxing, at best, on your average (US) household's internet connection unless you're willing to shell out serious money to the ISPs. Over cell networks? In my opinion, we are no where near the level of technology where we can pull this off in a consistently stable manner.

Worse, though, is the service model. They say it's like streaming movies or music, but they're not being wholly truthful there. I subscribe to Netflix and all of their movies and TV shows are available to be to stream. I don't have any of this "you get Pro-movies every month and you can purchase non-pro movies to add to your collection". Googles own "movies" service, where I ~DO~ buy each individual movie and TV show season separately at least has the decency of NOT charging me for the service. Amazon Prime's streaming service is the only video streaming service that seems to come close to what Stadia is trying to pull, but even then, at least Prime includes their free 2-day shipping, which, given how much I, at least, get from Amazon on a yearly basis, makes up for the price of the service on its own.

So, here's Stadia... Pay monthly for the service in which they will generously give you a few games... which are probably the games that don't make much money in the first place... then buy the actual games you want to play, shell out a shiz ton of money for an internet connection that can (close to) stably stream those games, all while crossing your fingers that after all that financial investment, Google doesn't drop Stadia like so many of their other services.

I think, if you're going to call yourself the Netflix of video games (and, to be fair, I can't recall if Google themselves ever actually did), then at least use their model... monthly cost for the service, but FULL access to their ENTIRE game library.

That's my opinion anyway... and I'm old and crotchety

Quoting: ObsidianBlkThey say it's like streaming movies or music, but they're not being wholly truthful there.

Depends how you take it, speaking technically they are correct and this is an advert for the masses not for deeper technical stuff.

Quoting: ObsidianBlkat least has the decency of NOT charging me for the service

You're not charged to use Stadia either though. So it does work the same as what you're comparing it to on their movie/tv purchases through the Play store.

From the rest of your post, it seems pretty clear you still think you have to pay for it. You do not, they even say in the video you get a free trial of Stadia Pro when you sign up and then you can just use the service as normal if you cancel it.

Quoting: ObsidianBlkshell out a shiz ton of money for an internet connection that can (close to) stably stream those games

I regularly play it across WiFi on the opposite side of my house to where the router is, where I get about ~36mb/s and it is without issues.

Quoting: ObsidianBlkI think, if you're going to call yourself the Netflix of video games (and, to be fair, I can't recall if Google themselves ever actually did)

They have never once said that, and they actually said somewhere (can't find where) not to think of it like Netflix. Edit: found it. As they said, Stadia Pro mirrors PS Plus on the PlayStation - get access to a growing collection of titles and extra discounts to buy games.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 6 October 2020 at 3:16 pm UTC

Quoting: Liam DaweDepends how you take it, speaking technically they are correct and this is an advert for the masses not for deeper technical stuff.

Yeah... but didn't Obi Wan make that same "certain point of view" remark when caught out on his "Vader murdered your father" statement? Audiences called BS on Obi Wan, I still kinda call BS on Google.

Quoting: Liam DaweYou're not charged to use Stadia either though. So it does work the same as what you're comparing it to on their movie/tv purchases through the Play store.

From the rest of your post, it seems pretty clear you still think you have to pay for it. You do not, they even say in the video you get a free trial of Stadia Pro when you sign up and then you can just use the service as normal if you cancel it.

Ok... fair enough. In my defense, though, their website is not exactly clear on that. I kept reading "Build a library of games that you can access as long as you’re a Stadia Pro subscriber." and it took me a couple rereads before I linked that statement to them referring to a library built from "free" games.

Also... (and maybe I missed this too), it would be really nice if they had a little chart that shows what you get as a pro vs free member.

Also, also... what if I like the "free" games? Can I buy and play them as a free member or they exclusive to pro members only? I keep looking over the site and I'm not seeing any information on that. I suppose I'd find out if I "signed up", but I don't want to sign up for a service just to answer questions I have about the service.

Quoting: Liam DaweI regularly play it across WiFi on the opposite side of my house to where the router is, where I get about ~36mb/s and it is without issues.

Again... fair enough. How is it over cellular internet? They are pushing mobile devices too, and 5G isn't exactly ubiquitous at the moment.

Quoting: Liam DaweAs they said, Stadia Pro mirrors PS Plus on the PlayStation - get access to a growing collection of titles and extra discounts to buy games.

Forgive me if I'm confused, but, PS Plus...

Are you talking the the monthly charge I pay Sony for being able to play my games online and they give me two free games a month? If so, one difference is those free games are free free. Once I nab them, they're still mine if I quit the service. Stadia on the other hand does say, of their free games "Build a library of games that you can access as long as you’re a Stadia Pro subscriber." which suggests Stadia is not exactly the same.

Or, are you talking about the service Sony has ON TOP of the one above where you can stream games?

For now i enjoy GeForce NOW, it's cheap and doesn't require a proprietary gamepad.
There is one annoying thing: the need to relog to Steam at each session and the keyboard is QWERTY but it allow to play games that dosen't run fine with Proton.


Last edited by haiku on 6 October 2020 at 7:35 pm UTC

Quoting: ObsidianBlkOk... fair enough. In my defense, though, their website is not exactly clear on that.

Yeah, their actual website and frankly the store itself is still pretty rubbish right now, they have a lot of work to do to clear all that up. The store doesn't even have a search bar yet...

Quoting: ObsidianBlkAre you talking the the monthly charge I pay Sony for being able to play my games online and they give me two free games a month? If so, one difference is those free games are free free. Once I nab them, they're still mine if I quit the service.

Uh no, if you leave PS Plus, you will not be able to play the PS Plus redeemed games. It's always been that way. Stadia Pro is the same, get access while you have it, then get it back if you resume it after cancelling.

Quoting: ObsidianBlkAgain... fair enough. How is it over cellular internet? They are pushing mobile devices too, and 5G isn't exactly ubiquitous at the moment.

That I don't know, I only have 4G and a data cap there so I don't dare do it over mobile net.

Quoting: haikuFor now i enjoy GeForce NOW, it's cheap and doesn't require a proprietary gamepad.

You only need the Stadia Controller if you're using a Chromecast Ultra. Otherwise, as the video says, anything else.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 6 October 2020 at 4:32 pm UTC

Quoting: Liam DaweUh no, if you leave PS Plus, you will not be able to play the PS Plus redeemed games. It's always been that way. Stadia Pro is the same, get access while you have it, then get it back if you resume it after cancelling.

0_0 ... yeah... you're absolutely right! I have died a little today. Thank you

Quoting: Liam DaweYou only need the Stadia Controller if you're using a Chromecast Ultra. Otherwise, as the video says, anything else.

I shall give it a try but it cannot link with Steam Library

I just wish ANY streaming service for games reached South America, I would pay it with a smile, Dollar is always high to buy electronics and most people don't have a good PC to play these games, it would be huge here :(

Apparently Baldur's Gate 3 is out for Stadia (in-development version). Please let developers know if you want a proper Linux version too:

http://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=652719


Last edited by Shmerl on 6 October 2020 at 6:24 pm UTC

Been finding some great SP gems on Stadia since my MP gaming is now down to 1 day a week with work, family and other hobbies. Ended Little Nightmares, SteamWorld Heist, SteamWorld Quest and KONA. My friends and family are still playing Strange Brigade and Zombie Army 4. A few picked up BG3 but RPGs are not my thing. I will scope it out but I'm waiting for a few more free Google credits to buy some other games on there. I'm at 53.49 right now.

The ad was cool but like others online are saying they should be promoting the free console aspect of it? IDK, I just really enjoying it and I did not expect to be.

Edit - I'm very curious how the games in Pro make money? Liam did you cover this already and I missed it or can ya?


Last edited by Mezron on 7 October 2020 at 1:16 am UTC