So it's £120 for the kit.

Overall I don't think they really made a compelling pitch. Still feels like a solution in search of a problem, and doesn't feel like they have shown a strong vision for the future of gaming so far.

I'm not sure how sizeable the overlap is between the audience of people for whom console/PC style gaming is appealing but they don't want to own a console/PC, and people who are cool with buying a $70 controller and $10 a month subscription/$60 games is.

Kinda crazy to me that they are making some of the same mistakes OnLive made nearly a decade ago. I said at the time "a service that lets me stream last year's Assassin's Creed is not compelling when I already own three boxes I can play that on". I'm sceptical of this kind of game streaming in general, but surely the best approach is to show us a kind of play that is not possible with current console hardware? Games that actually take advantage of the format, and feel native to it.

The kit is optional. Many people already own a Chromecast. It works with Chrome on any platform. And it works with other pads you probably already own; the Stadia controller is optional.

I suppose one difference is that Google don't necessarily need to make an overnight success of it.

That's a really good point. Plus it'll be in beta for at least three years.

Only once they’ve released five alternative and non compatible game streaming platforms.

Yep, fine, you got me

TBH at that point I thought Stadia was an upgraded version of what had gone before in this space, (i.e. A better OnLive or suchlike), I didn't appreciate the scope of what Google were doing. I should have done more research into what Stadia really is, so yep, that's on me.

My understanding of the facts has changed, so my opinion has changed,

Also, Google knows heaps about me already, do I really want it to know that I'm also a bit shit at games too?

The kit is optional. Many people already own a Chromecast. It works with Chrome on any platform. And it works with other pads you probably already own; the Stadia controller is optional.

Those hoping to get involved on launch day this November will only be able to do so by purchasing Google's £119/$129.99 USD Founder's Edition bundle. This includes the Chromecast Ultra hardware for 4K and HDR streaming, a limited-edition Night Blue controller, a three-month subscription to Stadia Pro (which we'll get to in a moment), a three-month Stadia Pro subscription for a friend (known as a Buddy Pass), and first dibs on a Stadia name.

You've got to be realistic at what sort of '4K' you're actually going to get at 35Mbps though, that shit is gonna be hella, hella compressed.

This will not look anything like a native 4K game from your console or PC.

And remember they don't have the advantage of Netflix style compression where they can run as many passes as they want ahead of time to get it super efficient, as a Netflix stream is always the same. For Stadia they have to do it on the fly as they have no idea what the player will be doing.

It means the same as every other gaming use case of the word.

See "depending on how well it works"

It's all theory until I actually see it working on my PC.

I agree. This tipped me over the edge, my outright rage has been simmering for years.

Oh for sure there's 'seeing how well it works' but then there's 'magic', which is what getting a decent 4K60 stream into 35Mbps would need to be.

Which word? Founder?

35Mbps is the bare minimum, though - and it won't be "decent". I've got ten times that amount to play with, which is far more reasonable.

Whether or not it will use all that bandwidth is another question, of course.

If the only way to get online at launch is to buy that founder's pack who are you meant to give the buddy pass to?

If the only way to get online at launch is to buy that founder's pack who are you meant to give the buddy pass to?

If the only way to get online at launch is to buy that founder's pack who are you meant to give the buddy pass to?

⁴Buddy Pass will be sent within six months of delivery of your Founder's Edition. Buddy Pass must be redeemed within three months of receipt. Valid Buddy Pass entitles the recipient to access Stadia and a three month trial of Stadia Pro. Stadia Controller not included.

Don't worry, Google-Shill Gaywood is here to save the day!

Wait, you said earlier the free option was capped at 30fps

Big Envelope

exactly the sort of response I'd expect from someone in the pockets of Big Envelope