Stadia

Stadia is a cloud gaming service developed and operated by Google. It is accessible through Chromecast Ultra and Android TV devices, on personal computers via the Google Chrome web browser and other Chromium-based browsers, Chromebooks and tablets running Chrome OS, and the Stadia mobile app on supported Android smartphones as long as the latest version of the Chrome browser and the latest version of the Stadia app are installed. There is also an experimental mode with support for all Android devices capable of installing the Stadia mobile app. In December 2020, Google released an iOS browser-based progressive web application for Stadia, enabling gameplay in the Safari browser.

Stadia is capable of streaming video games to players at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second with support for high-dynamic-range (HDR) via the company's numerous data centers. It offers the option to purchase games from its store in order to stream them or to play a selection of free-to-play games. While the base service is free and lets users stream at resolutions of up to 1080p, a Stadia Pro monthly subscription allows for a maximum resolution of 4K, 5.1 surround sound, HDR and offers a growing collection of free games that—once claimed—remain in the user's library whenever they are subscribed. Both tiers allow users to play online multiplayer without any additional costs. Stadia is integrated with YouTube, and its "state share" feature allows players to launch a supported game from a save state shared by another player via permalink. The service supports Google's proprietary Stadia game controller, along with various non-Stadia controllers through USB and Bluetooth connections.

Known in development as Project Stream, the service debuted through a closed beta running Assassin's Creed Odyssey in October 2018. Stadia publicly launched on November 19, 2019, in select countries. On April 8, 2020, Google launched the no-cost base service of Stadia. The service competes with Sony's PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, Nvidia's GeForce Now, Amazon's Luna, and Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming. Stadia initially received a mixed reception from reviewers, with most criticism going towards its content library and lack of promised features. Google had initially intended to develop in-house games in addition to other third-party titles, but began scaling back on these plans in February 2021 by shuttering its studios. The service continued to offer games by creating partnerships to use the technology as a white-label product to deliver game content over the cloud. In September 2022, Google announced that Stadia would shut down on January 18, 2023, though the technology will be integrated in other business areas within the company.