Stadia was a cloud gaming service created and managed by Google. It was first tested in a limited trial in October 2018 and officially launched in November 2019. The service was available on devices such as Chromecast Ultra and Android TV, on personal computers using the Google Chrome web browser and other Chromium-based browsers, on Chromebooks and tablets running ChromeOS, and through the Stadia mobile app on supported Android phones. There was also a special version that allowed some Android devices to use the app if they met certain requirements. In December 2020, Google released a version of Stadia for iOS devices that could be used in the Safari browser.
Stadia could stream video games to users from Google’s data centers in high quality, up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, with support for HDR video. Users could buy games from the Stadia store or play free-to-play games. The basic version of the service was free and allowed streaming up to 1080p resolution, while a Stadia Pro subscription offered higher quality, including 4K resolution, 5.1 surround sound, HDR, and access to a collection of free games that stayed in the user’s library as long as the subscription was active. Both the free and paid versions allowed users to play online multiplayer games without extra costs. Stadia was connected to YouTube, and its "state share" feature let players start a supported game from a saved state shared by another player using a link. The service supported Google’s own Stadia game controller and other controllers connected via USB or Bluetooth.
Stadia competed with other cloud gaming services, such as Sony’s PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, Nvidia’s GeForce Now, Amazon’s Luna, and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming. At first, reviews of Stadia were mixed, with many people criticizing its limited game selection and missing features. Google originally planned to create its own games in addition to hosting games from other companies, but it stopped this plan in February 2021 and closed its studios. The service continued to sell games from third-party developers, and Google made its streaming technology available to other companies as a product they could use. In September 2022, Google announced that it would shut down Stadia. The service stopped working completely on January 18, 2023. Google refunded people who had bought hardware from its store and software from the Stadia store. It also updated the Stadia controller to allow Bluetooth connectivity for use on computers, phones, tablets, and game consoles. The deadline for using the website and Bluetooth support tool for the Stadia controller ended on December 31, 2025.
Features
Stadia was a cloud gaming service that required an Internet connection and a device running Chromium or a dedicated app. It expanded on YouTube's ability to stream media, as game streaming was seen as a natural extension of watching live video game streams, according to Google's Phil Harrison. The name "Stadia," the Latin plural of "stadium," reflected that the service offered a collection of entertainment, which users could watch or play actively. Google had built many data centers worldwide, giving Stadia an advantage over earlier services like OnLive, PlayStation Now, and Gaikai, as most users would be near a data center. Players could start games without downloading content to their devices. They could also record or stream gameplay to YouTube without extra tools. Viewers of these streams could launch the same game directly from the stream.
Stadia introduced new features based on its streaming model. Stream Connect allowed players to see their friends' perspectives in a picture-in-picture format while playing cooperatively. This feature launched with Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint. The streaming technology supported more players on a game server; for example, Grid servers usually held 16 players, but the Stadia version allowed up to 40.
Stadia could use any standard USB controller, but Google created its own controller that connected directly to Google's data centers via Wi-Fi to reduce input delay. Google also explored methods to predict user input, minimizing lag between controller actions and game responses. During a 2019 presentation, Google confirmed the controller would include Google Assistant, which could search YouTube for game-related videos.
Stadia offered two service tiers: a free level (initially called "Stadia Base" but later renamed "Stadia") and a monthly subscription called Stadia Pro. The free tier limited video resolution to 1080p. The Pro tier, costing about $10 per month, allowed higher streaming rates, up to 4K resolution, access to a growing library of free games, and discounts on other games.
Publisher-specific subscriptions, like Ubisoft's Uplay Plus (now Ubisoft+), were also available for Stadia users.
From April 2020, new users received a limited free trial of Stadia Pro features. If they returned to the free tier, they could keep any games purchased during the trial. Initially, new users got two months of Pro access, which was later reduced to one month.
Stadia required users to purchase games for the service, though some games were free to play. Pro subscribers could claim a growing catalog of free games that remained available as long as their subscription was active. At its 2019 launch, Google announced that Gylt and Get Packed would be exclusive to Stadia for a limited time. The service launched with 22 games, added 4 more in December 2019, and had over 130 games by the end of 2020.
In January 2020, Google planned to release over 120 games for Stadia in 2020, including 10 timed exclusives. It also claimed over 100 games would arrive in 2021. In December 2020, Ubisoft+ became available on Stadia, allowing users to play all Ubisoft games on the platform.
On January 13, 2023, five days before its closure, Stadia released Worm Game, a simple snake-like game used for internal testing. It was Stadia's only first-party title and final release. The game included campaign, arcade, and multiplayer modes.
At launch, Stadia's cloud hardware used a custom Intel processor running at 2.7 GHz, an AMD GPU based on the Vega architecture with 10.7 teraFLOPS of power, and 16 GB of RAM. The service used solid-state storage and shared RAM between the GPU and CPU.
Google's Stadia controller had two thumbsticks, a directional pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, and additional controls. It could connect via USB or Wi-Fi to reduce input lag. The controller was available in three colors, with a limited "Midnight Blue" version in the "Founder's Edition" bundle.
Google made prototypes in other colors and gave transparent versions to Stadia developers. Initially, the controller's Bluetooth feature was disabled, but Google released a web tool in January 2023 to enable Bluetooth, allowing the controller to work with other devices. The deadline to switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth was extended multiple times, finally ending on December 31, 2025.
Stadia used Linux servers and the Vulkan graphics API.
— Dov Zimring, Stadia Developer Platform Lead
In November 2020, Google announced a web-based version of Stadia for iOS devices, avoiding Apple's app restrictions. This approach was similar to GeForce Now.
At the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show, Google announced that upcoming LG smart TVs would include a Stadia Smart TV app.
History and development
Project Stream was Google's first public announcement about creating video game products. Before this, Google was rumored to be working on a service called Project Yeti since at least 2016. Google also hired Phil Harrison, a leader in the gaming industry, and invited game developers to join the company during events in 2018. Unlike earlier services like OnLive, GeForce Now, and PlayStation Now, Project Stream could run in any Chrome browser on a computer without needing extra software. The service used AMD Radeon graphics hardware. Inside Google, the service was tested using the game Doom from 2016 to prove it could work well on the internet.
Google announced Project Stream in October 2018 and invited people to try it in a beta version with the game Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Players who met internet speed requirements could play the game in their Chrome browsers. Those who joined the beta received a free copy of the game on Ubisoft Connect when the test ended. In March 2019, Google officially announced Stadia during a presentation at the Game Developers Conference.
At the same time, Google created the Stadia Games and Entertainment division in March 2019, led by Jade Raymond, an experienced game developer. This division focused on making games specifically for Stadia. The first studio was opened in Montreal in October 2019. In December 2019, the division bought Typhoon Studios to create more content for Stadia. A second studio was opened in Los Angeles in March 2020, led by Shannon Studstill, who had previously worked at Santa Monica Studio.
In February 2021, Google closed the Stadia Games and Entertainment division, which also led to the closure of Typhoon Studios. This decision followed Google’s plans to focus on making Stadia a platform for third-party developers to publish games. Phil Harrison said the goal was to help Stadia become a long-term, profitable business that supports the gaming industry. The shutdown affected about 150 employees, including Jade Raymond, who left Google that day. Some reports suggested the decision might have been influenced by low sales of Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia, while others linked it to Microsoft’s plan to buy ZeniMax Media in 2020.
According to reports from Bloomberg News and Wired, Google did not fully support game development for Stadia, instead focusing more on the technology to run the service. Despite spending millions to bring popular games like Red Dead Redemption 2 to Stadia and hiring Jade Raymond to create exclusive content, the platform failed to meet user and revenue goals. Typhoon Studios’ founders said Google lacked the financial or corporate support needed for high-quality game development. Many planned games, such as a sequel to Journey to the Savage Planet, projects by Hideo Kojima and Yu Suzuki, and a multiplayer game by Francois Pelland, were canceled. Some games, like The Quarry and High on Life, were later published by other companies.
In May 2021, six key leaders of Stadia left Google, including John Justice, Sebastien Puel, and Corey May. Corey May and Sebastien Puel joined Jade Raymond at her new studio, Haven. During the Epic Games v. Apple trial, Epic’s CEO said Stadia had been significantly reduced in size since its launch. Google claimed Stadia was still active and planned to expand in 2021.
To attract more developers, Stadia introduced a new revenue-sharing plan in July 2021. From 2021 to 2023, Stadia would take 15% of a game’s revenue, up to $3 million. After that, the rate would return to the industry standard of about 30%. Stadia also shared 70% of Stadia Pro membership fees with games that joined the service starting in July 2021, based on how many hours users played. Additionally, Stadia would pay the first month of a Stadia Pro membership fee to developers who brought new users to the platform.
In October 2021, Google began offering Stadia’s technology as a white-label product called "Immersive Stream for Games." This technology was used in projects like a free version of Batman: Arkham Knight for AT&T customers and a demo of Resident Evil Village by Capcom. In December 2021, Stadia was added to LG televisions with WebOS 5.0 or later. In February 2022, Google said it would focus less on video games and more on playable experiences and online demos. That same month, Google announced 100 new games would come to Stadia in 2022 and hinted at new features.
In February 2021, Chromebooks began coming with Stadia pre-installed.
On September 29, 2022, Google announced it would shut down Stadia, saying it had not gained enough user interest. The service closed on January 18, 2023, and Google refunded all purchases made through its stores. The technology behind Stadia was to be used in other parts of Google, but in March 2023, reports said the white-label service was also shut down. Google’s Jack Buser said the streaming option was tied to Stadia itself and was no longer offered.
Availability and promotions
Stadia was first launched on November 19, 2019, in 14 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The "Founder's Edition" bundle, which could be pre-ordered for US$129 before the service started, included: a Chromecast Ultra; a limited-edition "Midnight Blue" Stadia controller; three months of Pro service; an extra three months of Pro service to share with a friend; a Founder's badge next to their user name; and early access to choose a user name. After the "Founder's Edition" pre-orders were sold out, Google introduced a "Premiere Edition" bundle for US$129, which included a Chromecast Ultra, a "Clearly White" Stadia controller, and a three-month subscription to the Pro tier. At launch, Stadia was only available through the Pro subscription tier.
In February 2020, the service was expanded to several Samsung Galaxy, Razer Phone, and ASUS ROG Phone devices, after being available only on Google Pixel devices for months.
In March 2020, Google sent promotional emails to owners of Chromecast Ultra devices, offering them three months of free Stadia Pro access. The next month, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Google launched a free version of Stadia for anyone in eligible countries who had a valid Google account. All new and existing users received two-month Pro subscriptions for free.
Starting in June 2020, Stadia became available on OnePlus 5, 6, and 7 series phones. It could also be used on other Android phones and tablets with Android 6 or higher as an "experimental" feature. At the same time, touch controls were added as an option for touchscreen Android devices. That month, the "Premiere Edition" bundle was reduced in price to US$99.
In November 2020, Google offered two promotions for free "Premiere Edition" bundles. The first, starting on November 10, gave bundles to YouTube Premium subscribers in the US and UK who had signed up before November 6. The promotion ended in the US after supplies ran out. The second promotion, on Stadia's first anniversary on November 19, gave free bundles to users who bought Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia. The promotion ended early in Canada on December 10 and in other regions on December 13 after supplies were exhausted. In March 2021, Google announced a promotion for the release of Resident Evil Village. The promotion offered a free Stadia Premiere kit to users who purchased the Standard or Deluxe Editions of the game. All Stadia Pro members received a free copy of Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition.
In December 2020, Stadia expanded to eight new European markets: Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland. In June 2021, Stadia launched on most Android TV devices, including the Chromecast with Google TV, the Nvidia Shield TV, and other smart TVs with Android TV support.
Reception
During its beta testing, the service received mostly positive feedback from reviewers, who believed it met or even surpassed expectations and could be a good alternative to playing games on a personal computer. Ars Technica noted that the login process for Project Stream was much easier than that of other services. However, some small problems and technical issues were also found.
Reviewers said the streaming service had low lag, making games feel like they were played on the user's own device. However, depending on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection, the games sometimes lowered their screen resolution or experienced delays. A test by The Verge found no lag issues when using a wired Ethernet connection, but occasional pauses occurred on a shared Wi-Fi connection. Even with a wired connection, the stream did not display 4K resolution and sometimes became unclear due to compression. The best experience was reported on Google's Pixelbook. Polygon noted that the audio quality was slightly reduced due to compression. Digital Foundry tested Assassin's Creed Odyssey on a Pixelbook during the beta and found the latency acceptable, but the visuals were less clear. They also said Assassin's Creed Odyssey was not the best game to test, as it did not run at 60 frames per second.
Stadia received mixed reviews when it was released, according to Metacritic, a review aggregator. Wired Magazine described the image quality as dull but said they preferred playing Destiny 2 on a Chromebook over a larger gaming laptop. VentureBeat criticized Stadia's pricing model, comparing it unfavorably to services like Xbox Game Pass, and said Stadia "doesn't matter." Digital Foundry found that not all games ran at 4K resolution: Red Dead Redemption 2 ran at 1440p, and Destiny 2 ran at 1080p, though with a higher frame rate than console versions. They also said games like Red Dead Redemption 2 struggled to maintain a steady 60 frames per second. A test on Chromecast showed only 30 FPS, while a test on the Chrome browser had unstable 60 FPS that dropped frequently. The Guardian gave Stadia three stars out of five, praising its technical performance but criticizing its limited selection of games, which included mostly older titles and only one exclusive. Ars Technica said, "Early users feel like they're trying a beta product. Wait until next year to see if Google can fix problems and prove the service's long-term success." S&P Global Market Intelligence reported that analysts and early users were unimpressed, criticizing the service's limited initial game choices and lack of promoted features. Dieter Bohn from The Verge said, "After testing under many conditions, I believe this is a beta product. Google should have labeled it as such and launched it differently. Even in the best conditions, it is not the best."
By the end of January 2020, Stadia users were worried about Google's lack of communication about the service, aside from announcing monthly free games. They were concerned about planned features that were months away but not yet discussed, such as support for 4K streaming. A Google community manager acknowledged users' concerns, saying more news would soon be shared. Google directed users to its Stadia community site for weekly updates on the service's progress and said publishers would announce when new games would be available.
Cyberpunk 2077 had a difficult launch on eighth-generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as they struggled to run the game without major performance issues and bugs, and in some cases, players faced delays in downloading the game. Players who used Stadia to play the game experienced fewer crashes and a smoother overall experience.
Cancelled games
The following games were planned for the Stadia platform but were not available on Stadia because the service ended in 2023. These games were later released on other platforms.