Stadia, a cloud gaming service developed by Google, launched in 2019 after a beta period. It allowed users to play games on various devices like Chromecast Ultra, Android TV, computers, Chromebooks, and Android phones, using the Google Chrome browser or the Stadia app. An experimental mode expanded support to more Android devices. In 2020, Stadia became accessible on iOS devices through a browser-based application.
2016: Rumors of "Project Yeti" Emerge
Speculation about Google's foray into the gaming industry began circulating around 2016 with rumors of a project codenamed "Project Yeti." These early whispers hinted at Google's growing interest in cloud gaming.
October 2018: Stadia Debuts in Closed Beta
Known as Project Stream during development, Stadia was first revealed to the public in October 2018 with a closed beta test.
October 2018: Project Stream Beta Launched with "Assassin's Creed Odyssey"
Following its initial announcement, Project Stream launched a public beta test, granting access to players who met specific internet speed requirements. The beta featured "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" as its flagship title, allowing testers to experience the capabilities of cloud gaming firsthand.
2018: Google Hires Gaming Executive and Courts Developers
In 2018, Google's commitment to gaming became more apparent. The company hired industry veteran Phil Harrison, signaling its serious intentions. Moreover, Google actively engaged with game developers at industry events, fueling speculation about an upcoming gaming platform.
March 2019: Stadia Officially Announced at GDC
In a highly anticipated announcement at the 2019 Game Developers Conference (GDC), Google officially unveiled Stadia to the world. This marked the transition from the experimental Project Stream phase to a full-fledged cloud gaming platform.
June 2019: Stadia Unveils Launch Lineup and Exclusive Titles
At its unveiling event in June 2019, Stadia revealed the initial lineup of games that would be available at launch. The announcement included timed-exclusive titles like "Gylt" and "Get Packed," generating excitement among gamers.
October 24, 2019: Stadia Games and Entertainment Establishes First Studio
On October 24, 2019, Stadia Games and Entertainment, a division of Google focused on developing games for the Stadia platform, established its first studio in Montreal.
November 2019: Stadia Publicly Launches
After a period of closed beta testing, Stadia officially launched to the public in November 2019.
November 19, 2019: Stadia Officially Launches in 14 Countries
Stadia officially launched on November 19, 2019, in 14 countries, marking its entry into the cloud gaming market. The initial launch included the "Founder's Edition" bundle and later the "Premiere Edition" bundle, both offering access to the service along with hardware and subscription benefits.
December 2019: Stadia Expands Game Library
Following its launch, Stadia steadily grew its game library, adding four more titles in December 2019 to enhance its offerings.
2019: Stadia Controller and Features Unveiled
During the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in 2019, Google provided more details about Stadia's features, including the custom-designed controller that connected directly to Google's data centers for reduced latency. They also highlighted the integration of Google Assistant, which could provide players with helpful information related to their gameplay.
January 2020: Concerns Over Google's Communication
In January 2020, Stadia users expressed concern about Google's lack of communication regarding Stadia's development. These concerns centered around planned features, such as 4K streaming resolution support, which were not discussed despite being on the initial timeline. A Google community manager acknowledged these concerns and directed users to Stadia's community site for weekly updates.
January 2020: Stadia Announces Ambitious Game Release Plans
In January 2020, Stadia outlined ambitious plans to release over 120 games throughout the year, including 10 timed exclusives in the first half. This fueled anticipation among players eager for new and exciting gaming experiences.
February 2020: Stadia Expands to Samsung Galaxy, Razer Phone, and ASUS ROG Phone Devices
After initially being exclusive to Google Pixel devices, Stadia expanded its availability to Samsung Galaxy, Razer Phone, and ASUS ROG Phone devices in February 2020, widening its potential user base by supporting more Android devices.
March 2020: Google Offers Free Stadia Pro Trials and Launches Free Version
In March 2020, Google started offering free three-month trials of Stadia Pro to Chromecast Ultra device owners. As the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread stay-at-home orders, Google launched a free version of Stadia the following month, making the service accessible to a wider audience.
April 2020: Stadia Introduces Free Tier and Updates Naming
In April 2020, Stadia adjusted its service tiers and naming. The free tier, initially called "Stadia Base," was simplified to just "Stadia," while the paid tier remained "Stadia Pro."
April 2020: Stadia Offers Free Pro Trial
To attract new users, Stadia began offering a limited-time free trial of its premium tier, Stadia Pro, starting in April 2020. This allowed players to experience the enhanced features and game library before committing to a subscription.
June 3, 2020: Stadia Reduces Pro Trial Period
In an effort to refine its subscription model, Stadia shortened the free trial period for Stadia Pro from two months to one month starting June 3, 2020.
June 2020: Stadia Expands Device Compatibility, Adds Touch Controls, and Reduces Premiere Edition Price
June 2020 saw Stadia become accessible on OnePlus phones (5, 6, and 7 series) and introduced an "experimental" feature enabling access on a wider range of Android devices. This update also brought touch controls as an alternative to controllers for touchscreen devices, and the "Premiere Edition" bundle price was reduced to US$99.
November 2020: Google Stadia Premiere Edition Promotions
In November 2020, Google ran two promotions for Google Stadia's Premiere Edition bundles. The first, starting on November 10, offered free bundles to YouTube Premium subscribers in the US and the UK who had subscribed before November 6. This promotion ended early in the US after just two days due to supply exhaustion. The second promotion was linked to Stadia's first anniversary on November 19 and offered complimentary bundles to those who purchased Cyberpunk 2077. This promotion ended on December 10 in Canada and December 13 in other regions due to supply running out.
December 2020: Stadia Launches on iOS Browsers
In December 2020, Google expanded Stadia's reach by releasing a browser-based progressive web application, making it accessible on iOS devices using Safari or Chrome.
December 2020: Ubisoft+ Arrives on Stadia
December 2020 marked a significant milestone for Stadia with the integration of Ubisoft's subscription service, Ubisoft+. This partnership granted Stadia users access to a vast library of Ubisoft's popular games, further bolstering Stadia's content offerings.
December 16, 2020: Stadia Launches on iOS Devices via Web App
Overcoming the limitations imposed by Apple's App Store policies, Google found a workaround to bring Stadia to iOS devices. On December 16, 2020, a progressive web app-based version of Stadia was released, allowing users to access the service through Chrome or Safari browsers. This strategic move expanded Stadia's reach to a wider audience.
2020: Stadia Surpasses 130 Games
Throughout 2020, Stadia continued to expand its game library, reaching a milestone of over 130 games by the end of the year. This demonstrated Google's commitment to providing a diverse selection of games for its users.
February 1, 2021: Google Shuts Down Stadia Games and Entertainment
On February 1, 2021, Google made the decision to shut down its internal game development division, Stadia Games and Entertainment. This move was part of a strategic shift to prioritize Stadia as a publishing platform for third-party developers rather than focusing on internal game development.
February 2021: Stadia Pre-installed on Chromebooks
In February 2021, Chromebooks began launching with Stadia pre-installed, indicating Google's attempt to further integrate its cloud gaming service into its ecosystem of devices.
February 2021: Google Shifts Away from In-House Game Development
In a strategic shift, Google announced in February 2021 that it would be closing its internal Stadia game development studios. Instead of creating its own games, the company pivoted to focus on licensing its game-streaming technology to other companies.
March 2021: Resident Evil Village Promotion
In March 2021, Google announced a Stadia promotion in anticipation of the release of Resident Evil Village. The promotion included a free Stadia Premiere kit with the purchase of either the Standard or Deluxe Editions of the game. Additionally, all Stadia Pro members were given access to a free edition of Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition.
May 2021: Key Figures Depart Stadia Amidst Uncertainty
In May 2021, Stadia experienced the departure of several key figures, including John Justice (VP of Stadia), Sebastien Puel (Stadia's general manager), and Corey May (head of creative services and publishing). These departures, coupled with comments about Stadia being "significantly scaled back", raised concerns about the platform's future.
July 2021: Stadia Announces New Revenue Sharing Program to Attract Developers
In July 2021, Stadia announced a new revenue sharing program designed to attract more developers to the platform. Until 2023, Stadia would take only a 15% cut of game revenue, a significant decrease from the industry standard.
October 2021: Stadia Technology Licensed as "Immersive Stream for Games"
In October 2021, Google began licensing out Stadia's technology as a white-label product called "Immersive Stream for Games". This move aimed to leverage Stadia's technology beyond its own gaming platform, making it available for other businesses and services.
December 2021: Stadia Makes Its Way to LG Televisions
Expanding its reach beyond mobile devices and computers, Stadia was ported to LG televisions running WebOS 5.0 or later in December 2021, offering users with compatible LG TVs a new way to access the cloud gaming service.
2021: Stadia Aims for 100+ New Games
Building on its previous year's success, Stadia set its sights even higher in 2021, aiming to add more than 100 games to its platform. This ambitious target showcased Google's dedication to establishing Stadia as a major player in the gaming industry.
2021: Stadia Integration Announced for LG Smart TVs
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2021, Google revealed its collaboration with LG to integrate Stadia into LG smart televisions. This partnership aimed to make cloud gaming more accessible by bringing Stadia directly to users' living rooms.
February 4, 2022: Stadia Shifts Focus from Video Games to Playable Experiences and Demos
On February 4, 2022, Business Insider reported a significant shift in Google's strategy for Stadia. The platform was reportedly "demoted" and its focus was moved away from full-fledged video games towards playable experiences and online demos.
June 2022: Capcom Utilizes Stadia Technology for "Resident Evil Village" Demo
In a notable example of Stadia's technology being used for demos, Capcom, in June 2022, offered a free demo of "Resident Evil Village" that was powered by Stadia's streaming capabilities and accessible through any web browser.
September 2022: Stadia's Closure Announced
Citing lower-than-expected adoption and the challenging economics of the cloud gaming market, Google announced in September 2022 that Stadia would be shutting down.
September 29, 2022: Google Announces Shutdown of Stadia
Citing a lack of user adoption, Google announced on September 29, 2022, that it would be shutting down its cloud gaming service, Stadia. Despite efforts to establish the platform, Stadia struggled to gain traction in the competitive cloud gaming market.
October 2022: Google Unveils Chromebooks Designed for Cloud Gaming
Shortly after announcing Stadia's end, Google, in October 2022, introduced new Chromebooks specifically designed with cloud gaming in mind. These Chromebooks came with Nvidia's GeForce Now pre-installed and offered direct support for various cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and Google Play, indicating Google's continued interest in the cloud gaming space.
January 13, 2023: Stadia Releases "Worm Game" as Farewell Gift
In a heartfelt gesture, five days before its shutdown on January 13, 2023, Stadia released "Worm Game." This simple but enjoyable game, a variant of Snake, had been used internally for testing purposes. Its release served as a nostalgic farewell gift to Stadia players, allowing them to experience a piece of the platform's history.
January 17, 2023: Google Enables Bluetooth on Stadia Controller
Recognizing the value of its hardware even after Stadia's closure, Google released a web-based tool on January 17, 2023, that allowed users to enable Bluetooth on their Stadia controllers. This enabled the controllers to be used with other devices, such as computers, extending their lifespan beyond Stadia's demise.
January 18, 2023: Stadia Shuts Down Permanently
After a series of challenges, Google made the difficult decision to shut down Stadia. The service officially went offline on January 18, 2023.
March 2023: Google Ends Stadia's White-Label Service
Following the shutdown of Stadia, Google also discontinued its white-label service, "Immersive Stream for Games", in March 2023. Initially intended to live on and be leveraged by other businesses, the white-label service was intrinsically tied to Stadia, leading to its termination.
December 31, 2023: Initial Deadline for Stadia Controller Bluetooth Conversion
Initially, Google set a deadline of December 31, 2023, for Stadia users to convert their controllers from WiFi to Bluetooth using the provided tool. This timeline aimed to provide a reasonable window for users to make the switch.
December 31, 2024: Stadia Controller Bluetooth Conversion Deadline Extended
In a welcome move for Stadia controller owners, Google extended the deadline for converting the controllers to Bluetooth functionality from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024. This extension gave users more time to take advantage of the Bluetooth capability and continue using their controllers with other devices.