Goggle Stadia games expected to be full price

Google expects Stadia game prices to be in line with prices on other platforms such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Stadia’s cloud model means players will be able to access games they buy by streaming them, rather than owning them in the traditional sense of having a physical copy or a downloaded version on their console or PC.

“I don’t know why it would be cheaper,” Stadia boss Phil Harrison told Eurogamer when asked about Stadia game prices.

“The publisher or the developer is in as much control of the prices as we are, so it’s a bit difficult for me to say what the prices will be right now,” he continued. “But, we’re obviously going to be very aware of prevailing prices in the marketplace.”

Harrison also said Stadia games will offer unique benefits. “The value you get from the game on Stadia means you can play it on any screen in your life – TV, PC, laptop, tablet, phone. I think that is going to be valuable to players.

“In theory,” he added, “the Stadia version of a game is going to be at the highest-possible quality of innovation and sophistication on the game engine side.”

Google Stadia will launch in November 2019 with over 30 games available on day one.

To access Stadia this year, users will need to purchase the $129/£119 Founder’s Edition, which will include a Chromecast Ultra, a limited edition controller and a three-month Stadia Pro subscription.

A Stadia Pro subscription will normally cost $9.99/£8.99 monthly and allow streaming of games up to 4K HDR resolution at 60 FPS with 5.1 surround sound. The Pro subscription will also offer discounts and a selection of free games “released regularly”, starting with Destiny 2.

Aside from Bungie’s shooter MMO and Tequila Works‘ Gylt, Google has yet to announce which games will be made available for free as part of the Stadia Pro library.

Stadia Base, which streams up to 1080p/Stereo and allows players to purchase and play games without a subscription, will launch in 2020.