Google Stadia, Google’s cloud gaming service, hasn’t been able to gain a huge momentum after its launch in November 2019. This is probably because there aren’t a lot of games on the platform yet, or because you have to buy games that you already own on your PC or console. Moreover, it can also be because game streaming is yet to be comfortable with prime-time.
However, all of these problems are about to come to an end. Google Stadia just got PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and a host of other games for the platform. These new additions are surely going to pull in even more users and create a better hype for the service.
PUBG is probably one of the most famous and popular battle royale games at the moment. Its popularity is like no other among the masses. In addition to the launch, the game’s Pioneer Edition (bundled with the season pass) will also be free to Stadia Pro subscribers or will be chargeable at $39.99 for non-subscribers. The base game is priced at $29.99.
When it comes to PUBG, Stadia will also support cross-play, i.e, will enable users to play against friends on gaming consoles. Moreover, Google has also added a feature where it will be possible to directly go to the play screen on clicking a game link. The feature has been made available for Stadia Pro members.
Along with this, there are other exciting games that will make an entry to Stadia. Google’s partnership with EA for this specific purpose will bring Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Madden NFL and FIFA to the platform later this year. Although the exact release dates are not available at the moment, however, Google did mention tentative release dates. According to the company, Star Wars Jedi: Fall Order will be coming out in the fall and Madden NFL and FIFA will make its debut this winter.
Apart from these, three other “First On Stadia” exclusives are set to release on the platform. These include Crayta, which will be free with Stadia Pro this summer, co-op game Get Packed, which will be available from April 28 at $19.99 and arcade-style skateboarding game Wave Break which will release sometime in the summer.
Other games that will be claimable on May 1 include:
- Zombie Army 4: Dead War ($49.99/free with Stadia Pro)
- StreamWorld Heist
- The Turing Test
And, - Octopath Traveler ($59.99 – April 28)
- Rock of Ages 3 (June)
- Embr (early access on Stadia and PC from May 21)
Additionally, Thumper will be leaving Stadia Pro at the end of April.
All these new games might sound very tempting; however, people are concerned whether it is enough to make the platform relevant in today’s age of cut-throat competition, especially from the gaming perspective.
Moreover, there aren’t enough players when it comes to multiplayer games to make the platform viable. Considering how this particular problem compounds with time, it’s really a concerning problem and a big challenge for Stadia. Along with that, the cost of these games doesn’t help with the problem either.