Google Stadia: compatible only with Pixel 3 and 3a and on TV only with Chromecast Ultra

Google Stadia's presentation last night is important from distinct points of perspective: first of all because it was produced in the E3 frame, which marks Google's entry into the video game industry as a direct competitor to Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Not only that, as Google now provides a mature enough cloud gaming to become the normal platform for video games, although with the constraints owing to the accessibility of high-performance internet links. Players with a few more years on their shoulders then came into raptures at the announcement of Baldur's Gate III, whose trailer is accessible on the earlier link.

At the same moment, on some sensitive points, the presentation was smoky. Phil Harrison said Stadia will be accessible on any device where Google Chrome can be installed, but smartphone constraints seem to exist. In reality, in the hours instantly after the case, Google released this FAQ where it says: "We will support Pixel 3 and 3a phones (3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd XL) for gameplay on mobile devices at the start, but other systems will be endorsed in the future." Therefore, if you do not have a Google Pixel smartphone, you will not be allowed to access Stadia matches at least during the launch stage. A rather significant restriction, given that one of the primary preciousnesses of cloud gaming is the ability to play where you want and how you want, also and above all in the lack of hardware appropriate for processing game pictures.

Not only: the transmission to the TV will only be feasible in the possession of Chromecast Ultra and, moreover, while during the presentation Harrison said that it will be feasible to play with any gamepad, and even with the mouse and keyboard, the Stadia Controller will necessarily serve in the event of a match on TV. "You will have to use the Stadia controller and Google Chromecast Ultra to play on TV," reads the FAQ already reported.

During the presentation we also talked about subscriptions: Stadia Pro not only enables access to the full catalog of Stadia games for 9.99 Euros per month, but it will also be the only way to access 4 K HDR and 60 fps streaming. With the Stadia Base account you won't have to pay for a subscription and you can purchase particular games but this sort of access limits you to a maximum quality of 1080p and 60 f / s."Stadia will support streaming games with up to 4 K HDR and 60 f / s for Stadia Pro users. Non-subscribers can play streaming games with a maximum quality of 1080p and 60 f / s.