Confusion about what Google Stadia’s Pro subscription service is has led the company to offer a correcting statement on the issue. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything Q&A, a Google Stadia representative made clear that “Stadia Pro is not ‘Netflix for Games.’ " In other words, paying for a Stadia Pro subscription won’t grant access to a library of free games to play. Google Stadia, according to the representative, is better compared to Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus.
A Google Stadia Pro subscription will grant players access to the cloud streaming service at as high as 4K resolution and 5.1 sound. Games will have to be purchased by subscribers separately. Google Stadia Pro, like the aforementioned console subscription services, will provide “roughly one free game per month give or take.” The first free game has already been announced and is Destiny 2.
The Stadia Pro subscription service isn’t any different from the planned free Stadia Base service in this regard. Stadia Base doesn’t grant access to a library of free games either. Stadia Base will simply allow a maximum of 1080p resolution compared to Stadia Pro’s 4K. And it will be available free of charge, as well. All games will have to be purchased through Stadia. “You spend your money to buy games you want.”
With or without the Stadia Pro subscription, there are core features that will be available to all users. Some of the listed features include playing games across multiple devices or screens, no waiting for downloads or patches, cross-platform play within the Stadia community, and the Stadia social network and storefront. An achievement system was also mentioned, but will not be available a Stadia Pro’s launch.
Whether it was Google’s intent or otherwise, there remains a lot of confusion about what Google Stadia is and what its Pro and Base versions offer. The fact that Google Stadia’s first offered product retails for $129 and includes a controller, 3 months of Stadia Pro, and Destiny 2, insinuates further value to be found. That’s not the case. $129 will only grant buyers access to Destiny 2 through Stadia streaming, bundled with a controller to play it.
Everyone that has purchased the $129 Google Stadia Pro Founder’s Edition hopefully understands exactly what they’ve purchased. While it’s got to be frustrating that there’s still so much confusion following the Stadia unveiling, at least this information is being shared ahead of the service’s launch in November.
Source: Reddit
