Google Stadia: Features, games, technology and everything you need to know about this streaming gaming platform

This is Google Stadia, the new streaming gaming technology that will be powered by AMD graphics cards and does not need specific hardware.

During the Game Developers Conference we have seen technologies designed for and by gaming that will arrive this year. To stand out in this event you have to present something really spectacular and if anyone knows about show it is Google. The company has introduced Stadia, the most ambitious and innovative streaming gaming platform we've seen. This platform has been developed so that anyone, with whatever device and wherever it is, can play without problems.

Google wants Stadia to end the download of games and the hardware necessary to run the game. They will offer us everything we need to play without the slightest problem and without worrying about installing, patching, updating or having good hardware for it. All integrated with other services of the internet giant. And all this, according to Google, in less than five seconds from when we press play until we start enjoying the game.

Google Stadia, the video game revolution without a physical platform

In order to enjoy Stadia we don't need a powerful computer, a next-generation console or the best smartphone on the market, we simply need a device with an internet connection. And although we will not need a specific platform, they will launch a special command for this console. This will have the ability to capture and share functions directly on Twitter, YouTube, Discord, etc. It will have Google Assistant for different functions, such as help to move forward or various queries.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this command will be that it connects to the WiFi of our house. This will allow you to directly access Google's servers, eliminating intermediate stages. Eliminating these intermediate stages reduces latency, one of the most important problems in streaming gaming.

As we said, the control will have Google Assistant integrated to help us in moments of fatigue. We can ask you to advise us in the game or watch a video on how to overcome a zone. In addition, it will also offer us additional content that will expand the way we interact.

Full Google Stadia features

• Resolution: Initially 4K @ 60FPS raising the framerate to 120FPS in the future and increasing the resolution to 8K.
• Project Stream: Up to 1080p @ 60FPS
• CPU: Custom 2.7GHz with HyperThreading with AVX2 SIMD instructions
• GPU: AMD-based custom with 56 Compute Units offering 10.7TFLOPS and combining with HBM2 memory
• Graphics API: Vulkan with real-time 3D graphics
• Memory: 16GB combined of VRAM and RAM with a bandwidth of 484GB / s
• Operating system: Linux
• Infrastructure: 7500 global nodes within the Google Edge Network
• I send: Device that will connect via WiFi for direct connection with Stadia
• Compatibility: Google Cast compatible devices such as Chrome browser, SmartTV, Smartphone (Android and iOS), Tablet (Android and iOS) and Chromecast
• Price: There is no data

A platform to unite them all

Google on Stadia indicates that it is a solution based on Linux and that it has more than 7500 nodes within the Google infrastructure. To make it more impressive, it receives full compatibility with Unity, CryEngine and Unreal Engine, the three most powerful graphics engines on the market.

Stadia will also arrive with full compatibility at its launch with Chromecast, SmartTV compatible with Google Cast, Android smartphone and tablets, but also that have iOS, as well as computers through Google Chrome. Initially the resolution that will be offered will be 4K HDR @ 60FPS. Later the quality of the streaming will be scaled to 120FPS and for later the 8K resolution will arrive.

AMD will be the one who puts the muscle for Stadia

Perhaps one of the most interesting data is that Google has partnered with AMD for this project. It seems that the graphics power will be put by AMD with graphics cards that will offer up to 10.7TFLOPS per GPU. Google has not given more data and the launch will be throughout the year, so everything indicates that they will be Navi graphics, not Vega.

We suppose that once the platform is launched or it aims to launch AMD will take out muscle and say what graphics are used. This is a significant increase in the power of the company within the industry. We will have to be very attentive, because it seems that AMD will revolutionize the market shortly.

Games we will have on Stadia

Although there is no catalog, they have seen Assassin's Creed and DOOM Eternal. On DOOM they have said that it took them "a few weeks" to adapt it to the Stadia platform. As we said, they have not given details of the catalog, but they promise that it will be very extensive and that it will evolve over time.

Besides this, the most interesting thing is the "sofa multiplayer" mode. Basically we can all meet in the same room and play the same game without problems, it will be the Google system that will take care of everything. Being able to play four people the same game on a television without a physical platform is amazing. And Google has upped the ante, since it has highlighted that the Battle Royale will be able to go from one hundred players to thousands of players.

And to finish curling the Stadia curl will be “cross-platform”, which means that we can play everyone against everyone. It doesn't matter if you play on mobile, PC or console, it will be a pitched battle between devices, where the best will win.

Custom textures with Style Transfer ML

Google in conjunction with Tequila Works has introduced the Style Transfer ML technology. Basically it is a system that allows you to load the textures of a painting or of anything by means of Machine Learning in the game. This completely changes the in-game experience and each time we can enjoy a new game. It is unknown if this will make it to all games or how it will work.

YouTube will have an important weight in Stadia

Twitch is stealing the limelight from YouTube, the video platform par excellence. YouTube Gaming does not work and that is known in Google and that is why Stadia will take this platform into account. Those content creators or streamers using Stadia will be able to connect directly to YouTube. It will be allowed to stream games directly and without the need for physical hardware and complex configurations. Everything will be simple and from the command.

Even Google proposes that streamers open the games to their followers. Stadia will offer the ability for anyone watching the broadcast to get inside. It will offer creators to allow users to enter the game and join or face them.

Stadia store will be internet

Within the Stadia demo we have seen a trailer for Assassin's Creed on YouTube. There appears a 'Play' button that allows us to buy the title instantly and directly play it. But this button will not only be on YouTube, it will also be on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and to know in which social networks the most.

No latency, please

One of the biggest problems with streaming games or gaming itself is latency. The more intermediate elements there are, the greater the latency. For this, Google has developed a system that reduces it to: "rendering server" - "operator or ISP" - "play".

Intermediate routing and console or hardware device are eliminated to reduce latency. As proposed by Google, the game is rendered on its server, goes through our router and plays. The bandwidth that will be needed or what the final latency will be is not known, but points out ways, what doubt fits.

Conclusion on Google Stadia

The idea of ​​Google Stadia is the basic one of streaming gaming but with the steroids that only a giant like Google can offer. They want to simplify everything, to the point that the presentation had very simple slides with a clear message. Also from Google they have made it clear that Stadia will arrive this year, although they have not given an exact date and price. We assume it will be by the end of the year.