PARIS -- Gamers are counting down to Tuesday's launch of Google's feature-rich, on-demand offering Stadia. But is its bang as big as its much-advertised buck?
AFP had a chance to gain a first impression at the web behemoth's Paris office in advance of the launch as Google bids to raise the bar to new ultra high-definition heights in a gambit to win greater heft in a global video game industry worth an estimated $135 billion.
A screen problem forced the Google team to scale back resolution to high-definition television quality while sampling four of the 12 games that will be available at launch.
Notwithstanding the glitch, the graphic quality certainly stood out.
According to estimates by the US tech giant the computing power under the hood is ample enough to allow players not to worry about technical limitations of their own hardware causing lags or snaps in the action.
The depth of field, design finesse and color rendition all stood out for the showcasing of games from Mortal Kombat, Destiny 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider as well as Gylt, an original production exclusively for Stadia from Spanish studio Tequila Works.
Image fluidity was also up to the mark. While Google's Chromecast Ultra device must be plugged into a TV for Stadia sessions, a custom Stadia controller connects via WiFi directly to Google servers where game software is hosted.
In essence, screens are just windows for viewing in-game activity being handled at data centers.
In usage terms, it's on par with using a home console in terms of seamless on-screen response to joystick movements -- although beyond that Stadia is touting much shorter boot-up times.
Whereas it can take some hours to install a purchased game on a console, Stadia gets to the starting line in seconds.
Even a small-scale test run using few servers could not erase all question marks, a key one being the quality and stability of the connection once there is the expected onrush of competitors firing up on November 18 and thereafter.
Does commute compute?
Another unknown is the extent to which one can play away from one's own home on a variety of media. Stadia is promising to allow gamers the possibility of starting off a session on one's television and then switching to a smartphone during, for example, a commute.
That functionality will not immediately be available although it may be possible to switch between media provided one uses a Google Pixel or a computer -- and connects using WiFi to make sure game play data moves quickly and reliably over the internet.
A roaming option is envisaged but when it will be available is not yet clear.
In addition, a corded connection is for the time being required to connect the controller to a computer or smartphone with TV gaming the only wireless option immediately.
Another issue with Stadia's current configuration is its limited catalogue. Just 12 games are available to date -- a drop in the ocean compared with PC or console title offerings.
A keen gamer seeking out very high graphic quality and almost no fluidity lag or downscaling will have to cough up for the privilege, with a 4K-capable TV, a top drawer smartphone and a high-speed internet connection.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ever-expanding Google becomes a gaming company Tuesday with the launch of its Stadia cloud service that lets people play console-quality video games on a web browser or smartphone.
The internet giant hopes to break into the growing $135-billion global video game industry with cloud technology that could broaden audiences attracted by rich new features.
But analysts say Stadia's outlook is uncertain as it faces rivals such as PlayStation Now in an emerging and highly-competitive market.
Stadia plays into a trend in which content -- ranging from blockbuster films to work projects -- lives in the cloud and is accessible from any device.
"All of these new services are merely pointing out that we don't need sophisticated hardware in the home to access entertainment," said Wedbush Securities equity research managing director Michael Pachter.
Google last month sold out of "Founder's Edition" kits, which are priced at $129.
Each kit contains a Stadia controller and a pendant-shaped Chromecast Ultra wireless connection device that plugs into television sets.
Stadia games are playable using Google Chrome web browser software on computers.
It also works with Google-made Pixel smartphones from the second-generation onward, and on televisions.
Stadia Pro subscriptions, priced at $10 a month in the US, will be available in 14 countries in North America and Europe.
ALL IN THE GAME
But analysts say Stadia could wind up as another "bet" that Google walks away from if it fails to live up to expectations.
"Stadia will live or die by its content," said Ovum senior analyst George Jijiashvili. "The announced 12 launch titles are underwhelming."
Subscribers will be able to buy games that will be hosted at Google data-centers, but some free games will be available to subscribers, starting with "Destiny 2: The Collection."
Stadia on smartphones will work with WiFi connections rather than rely on mobile telecom services.
Being able to play without lags or interruptions is paramount to gamers, and flawed internet connections could cause frustration. Internet speed will also determine how rich in-game graphics can be.
Some promised features such as integration with YouTube will not be in place at launch.
"Stadia appears to be rushed out the door before fully ready and, worryingly, Google is risking falling short on its promises," Jijiashvili said. "These shortcomings however would be easily overlooked if Google can deliver a very reliable and high-quality game streaming service."
Google appears committed to doing just that, according to Ubisoft senior vice president of partnerships Chris Early.
The French video game giant has been working with Google and its games are among titles coming to the service.
"From what I have seen, their plans are too deep; they are too good, and they are too invested," Early said. "They are not calling it quits any time soon."
He expects a long launch period during which Google will beef up Stadia.
"If there is a one-day problem at launch, it isn't the end of the world; it isn't even close," he said, stressing the potential for Stadia to let people play without investing in consoles.
But Pachter questioned whether subscriptions were the right approach.
"The right model is pay as you go or pay for the game and play unlimited without a subscription," Pachter said. "Amazon will try one of those and will win the streaming wars."
Amazon has game studios but no online game service.
BATTLE BREWING
US technology veteran Microsoft has been testing a Project xCloud online game platform.
"Next year, we'll bring Project xCloud to Windows PCs, and are collaborating with a broad set of partners to make game streaming available on other devices as well," Microsoft corporate vice president Kareem Choudhry said in an online post.
Sony Interactive Entertainment last month slashed the price of its PlayStation Now cloud video game service by about half in the US to $10 monthly.
Japan-based Sony also boosted the library of games that PlayStation Now users can access through its consoles or on personal computers powered by Windows software.
Sony and Microsoft are also poised to release new-generation video game consoles next year.
"While we expect dedicated consoles to eventually lose relevance in the face of cloud gaming services, there's no guarantee that it will be Google's service –- rather than Sony and Microsoft's -– that catalyzes this trend," said Ovum senior analyst Matthew Bailey.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
