Google Unveils Stadia Pricing, November Launch, and Founder's Edition
Google reveals that its Stadia game streaming service launches in November with a $9.99 monthly Pro tier and a free base tier arriving in 2020. The company also opens pre-orders for a limited Founder's Edition bundle.
Google reveals the official pricing and release window for its highly anticipated cloud gaming platform, Stadia. The paid Stadia Pro tier costs $9.99 USD per month and offers up to 4K resolution, 60 FPS gameplay, 5.1 surround sound, and regular free game releases starting with Destiny 2: The Collection. For users who prefer not to pay a monthly fee, a free base tier streams games at up to 1080p and 60 FPS, allowing players to simply purchase the titles they want to play.
The company confirms that Stadia launches in November of this year, though this initial rollout only includes the paid Pro subscription. The free streaming tier does not arrive until sometime next year. Google also emphasizes that any games users purchase remain permanently tied to their accounts, even if they later cancel their Pro subscription.
To kick off the launch, Google offers a Stadia Founder's Edition for early adopters who pre-order the package. This bundle includes the new Stadia controller, which features a dedicated Google Assistant button and comes in three distinct color options. Gamers eager to experience Google's vision for the future of the industry face a six-month wait before the service goes live.