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Google is dropping the $ 130 entry fee for its Stadia cloud gaming service indefinitely. Giving each and everyone access to their AAA video game catalog during the coronavirus pandemic, reports the The New York City Times.
This move gives people in 14 countries free access to major game titles without spending hundreds of dollars on a powerful game console or PC. With most of Earth’s population staying home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, interest in playing video games has increased. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has been supporting a gaming industry initiative called #PlayApartTogether to encourage social distancing and gaming.
Google is effectively capitalizing on market opportunities, but it is also trying to extend its leadership over cloud gaming competitors like Nvidia, Microsoft and Amazon.
“Maintaining social distance is vital, but staying home for long periods can be difficult and feel isolated,” says Phil Harrison, Google vice president for Stadia. “Video games can be a valuable way to socialize with friends and family when you’re stuck at home.”
With Stadia’s cloud gaming capabilities, an interested gamer only needs a very fast internet connection – no console or powerful computer required. With Stadia requiring at least 10MB per second in terms of bandwidth, and the gaming and entertainment industries around the world trying to limit internet overuse, Stadia could face another massive hurdle in terms of players who they consume huge amounts of data running complex games.
Stadiums and cloud games
A very small segment of the $ 160 billion video game industry, only cloud games are expected to grow.
Until Google’s announcement, the Stadia required spending $ 129.99 for a special game controller, Chromecast streaming device, and subscription service access. The service will now be available on Stadia.com for almost anyone with a Chrome browser and a Gmail account.
Mac and Windows users will be able to play games with the mouse and keyboard or with gamepads. The service works on many Android devices as well, and while the Stadia is not a replacement for dedicated machines for hardcore gamers, it seems robust enough for casual gamers.
Edited by Luis Monzon
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