The first teaser trailer for Stadia also revealed a look at Google’s Stadia controller. Google intends Stadia and its features to be supported on desktops, laptops, TV, tablets, and phones. Harrison specifically said there is no console involved in this process.
Stadia is aiming to stream games at launch in 4K at 60 fps for both playing games and sharing game streams, with goals of eventually supporting 8K and 120+ fps. Among its boasts about the power of Stadia, Google confirmed Stadia is more powerful than the PS4 and Xbox One combined.
Google’s Phil Harrison came on stage during Google’s GDC 2019 keynote. Harrison explained Stadia is aiming to bring game developers, players, and YouTube creators together. Harrison showed off implementation of this by highlighting a player’s ability to instantly access a game within seconds to a game after a player watched a streamer playing that game themselves.
Additionally, Harrison and a demoer showcased Stadia’s ability to allow players to bring an experience via Stadia from one platform to the next — from a phone to a tablet to a Chromecast on TV – without any need to wait for download times.
Harrison emphasized the lack of download needs and the push for “instant access,” which included the physical way players will control Stadia games. Already available controllers will work with playing games on Stadia, but Harrison also introduced the Stadia Controller.
The controller connects through Wi-fi directly to the game running in the Google data center. The controller also has a capture button, which will save game clips to YouTube, either privately or to the world. There is also the Google Assistant button. Players can use the built-in microphone with this button to access features created by developers to use in games.
Google has partnered with Unreal Engine, Unity, and Havok for Stadia support, among many other game development companies.
Last year’s Project Stream implementation of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was the first example of Google’s gaming initiative and the hopes it has for Stadia.
Google’s Sundar Pichai introduced the announcement, noting their effort is for people who love to play, watch, and build games.
