2 Games are free, the rest are for pay!?

[WrathOfGod]

@GraceFromGoogle and @ChrisFromGoogle, Did I miss a massive part of the launch? I thought this was a gaming service that allowed subscribers to play the games the services provided as part of the monthly charge? (ALL 22 launch titles) Similar to Netflix, you would have access to all titles on the service, so long as you remain subscribed and if you cancel your subscription, the only titles that would remain, would be those that you purchased outright? I just logged in and see I have access to Destiny 2 Bundle and Shogun Showdown, and that's it! All other games are for standard prices with a couple on "Black Friday Sales"... Are you serious? $9.99 a month for two games I couldn't care less about? Am I missing something here?

[codesplice]

Yep, it sounds like you've missed a lot of Stadia coverage since June. 

The monthly subscription gets you early access, 4K, selected free games, and discounts on other games. More free titles should be added in the future, but the principle way to get games is still to purchase them.

Once the free tier goes live next year you will be able to purchase and play games without the monthly subscription - but you also won't get any free titles, discounts, or 4K. 

[Ivan]

@WrathOfGod Curious where you get the idea that Stadia will be a pure subscription model like Netflix. Google has been very transparent since the beginning that that's not the case.

I'm legitimately curious though. Where did you get this info from? Because it's definitely misleading.

[WrathOfGod]

Ivan,

If I could recall, I'd tell you, but I honestly don't remember. Could have even been my brain conflating the two. Just doesn't make much sense to pay for a service when it doesn't, at least at the time, offer anything I'd be interested in. I'm sure the Pro library of included games will expand, and with the addition of Stadia free sub next year, might make it more viable, but staring at a total of 2 choices I don't care about and a list of games I could get elsewhere that have been out for some time now, just doesn't make sense.

Here's to hoping the go full steam ahead to beef up the library before they start losing people due to lack of options.

[eTiger13]

That was my understanding when I preordered as well. I am now seriously considering cancelling this and waiting until Microsoft launches their version (which hopefully is included with their Game Pass). As it is now, its basically renting a web based console for $10, which is not a bad deal if you don't have any other gaming system or a gaming computer but almost a complete waste of money if you do.

[Ivan]

@eTiger13 @WrathOfGod  I mean, if you add the cost of the controller and the Chromecast Ultra, it's $138 total if you buy them directly. The Founder's Edition is $129, so we're already paying less. On top of that, we're getting the 3 months Pro, which is $30. Let's say we ignore the cost of the exclusivity of the controller (limited is usually worth more) and the buddy pass, I say that's still a really good deal.

Once Stadia base is launched next year, you don't need to keep subscribing to Pro, and you can just buy games individually with no subscription fee. So you don't actually need to pay a service in order to play on Stadia.

[WrathOfGod]

@Ivan

Fair points. However, with many folks already having memberships to Steam, EPIC, Origin, MS GamePass, the free version is not all that appealing, because it's just another place I have to go to play a  game, and remember where I bought what game(s) from.

I do like the idea of playing between devices from wherever I am and the future potential of this, but I think it's going to become a novelty that will lose its luster sooner rather than later. I've got a monster PC at home so I don't have issues pushing the limits of locally installed games, but for those that don't this might be an option. However, since I do, it's basically like paying $9.99 a month to rent a console/controller to wait and see what they post for users to play next. That and you own the games you buy, but presumably it'd be only for as long as Google keeps Stadia alive and supported.

Only time will tell I guess.

[Ivan]

@WrathOfGod I see where you're coming from. I don't have a monster PC, but it's good enough to run Destiny 2 at high/ultra setting, and I also have a widescreen monitor. Whenever I'm home, there's no way I'm playing Destiny 2 on Stadia (once you go wide, you can't go back.. lol)

Stadia's appeal for me is that because I travel quite often for work. I used to lug around my gaming PC, but it's starting to become a hassle. That also means I have to maintain two separate machines (home PC and gaming laptop) with updates and stuff. With Stadia I can play Destiny 2 (my main game) on the road without having to lug around my gaming laptop. That's about it really.

So yeah I do agree Stadia might not be for everyone, but I'm hoping those that need it will be able to take advantage of it.