Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Google boss Sundar Pichai has announced Stadia, the company's much-anticipated streaming gaming platform, during a keynote at GDC in San Francisco today.
The company gave an idea of how things will play out with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which was available to play via browser last year for a limited time. With Stadia, you can simply click on 'play now' link on a YouTube trailer and be taken instantly to the game in just seconds. That's pretty impressive, no?
In addition, Stadia also allows you to transition from device to device instantaneously, which is a nice bonus. You can play supported games using a dedicated controller, dual sticks and all.
All you need to have to play on a TV is Chromecast, too.
The Stadia controller, meanwhile, is fully Wi-Fi equipped to connect to Google's servers, and includes two new buttons: the capture button and Google Assistant button.
Stadia is powered by Google's global data centers, and will be capable of 4K resolution, 60fps, High-Dynamic Range (HDR), and surround sound at launch. If that wasn't enough to float your boat, 8K is also possible later down the line.
'In this new generation, the data center is your platform,' says Google. In terms of horsepower, Stadia packs a whopping 10.7 teraflops; that's a lot more than PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One, in case you wondered.
Meanwhile, Google also revealed that a number of major technologies are backing Stadia, including Unity, Unreal, Vulkan, Havok, and Improbable. Doom Eternal was also demonstrated on the platform, courtesy of id Software, and will run at 60fps in 4K.
Crucially, Google Stadia will fully support cross-platform play.
