Stadia is going live next week, and Google recently shared the list of games that you'll be able to play on day one. Today Google is talking a bit more about the gaming service ahead of its launch.
Some members of Google's Stadia team took part in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit, revealing info like when some features will be coming to the service. New features are expected to begin arriving as soon as one week after launch, and the first game with Stream Connect is expected to launch before the end of the year. Games that support State Share and Crowd Play will begin arriving in 2020.
"Our approach to releasing features on Stadia is similar to how we run Google Search, YouTube and other Google services: gradual rollout and continuous improvement, based on your feedback," said the Stadia team. "We always start with nailing the key user-journey and then proceed with releasing extra features. YouTube started with 'watch video.' For Stadia it’s 'Play the Game on your biggest screen.'"
The Stadia team also detailed what features the Stadia controller's Google Assistant button will offer. On day one, you'll be able to ask your Google Home or Assistant-enabled device to start a game on Stadia, and shortly after, you'll be able to use your controller's Assistant button to interact with Google Assistant while on your Stadia homescreen on the Chromecast.
Speaking of Chromecast, it's been revealed that you'll need updated firmware on existing Chromecast Ultra devices to use them with Stadia. This means that if you're not getting a Founder's Edition pack on day one or shortly after, you'll have to wait for the Chromecast Ultra firmware update to enable Stadia, which is expected to arrive "shortly after launch."
The Stadia team also confirmed a new accessory for the gaming service. Known as the Claw, this accessory is designed for the Stadia Controller and Pixel and will attach the phone to the controller so that the phone is floating over the top of the controller. This should help to make the entire contraption more comfortable to hold for longer gaming sessions.
Other tidbits mentioned in the Stadia AMA include the news that Founder's Edition buyers will get their Buddy Pass around two weeks after they receive their bundle, screens that aren't 1080p or 4K will be pillarboxed or letterboxed to fit those aspect ratios, and if you're playing a game on a Chromecast and someone casts while you're playing, your game will continue running on the server for 10 minutes so that you can get to another screen.
Stadia is officially launching on November 19th, though Google has cautioned that some Founder's Edition pre-order customers may not get their bundle on day one. The service will have 12 games available at launch with 14 more slated to arrive before the end of the year.