Google Stadia Will Struggle to Justify the Cost

BY JUSTIN TINE: Google Stadia is set to revolutionize how we play video games. Or, at least that’s what Google is hoping for. Streaming services like Netflix have forever changed how we consume TV and movies. It feels like each one of your favorite shows has a streaming service of its own now. But, can Google Stadia become the Netflix of video games and deliver on everything it promised us?

If you’re going to be streaming large AAA games then you’re going to need impressive internet.  Given that a significant portion of the United States and the entirety of Australia struggle with their internet speed (and costs), this could be a significant hurdle for Google to overcome in making Google Stadia a success.

Let’s assume you have lighting fast internet. What games might you be playing on Google Stadia? Aside from the highly anticipated CyberPunk 2077 and Baldurs Gate 3, not much you haven’t already played before.

Google Stadia’s launch list includes titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy XV, Destiny 2, and Borderlands 3. The entire list of roughly 42 games includes some fantastic titles. I’m a huge Red Dead Redemption fan, even if the PC launch was a little lackluster. The problem here isn’t the quality of the games on the launch list, it’s the dated and backlogged selection as a whole. Is it worth the $9.99 a month to play a handful of games that most gamers likely already own?

Time will tell if Google Stadia will join the Google graveyard. Google doesn’t have the best track record with seeing some of the services they offer all the way through. I’ll definitely be sitting on the sidelines to see how this one pans out.

The “no console needed” Google Stadia video game streaming service launches on November 19th, 2019.