Roadmap for Updates/Game Releases?

[spad3]

Is there some sort of timeline for Stadia Updates for features and functionality? Like: When will I be able to use my iPad or Galaxy Phone to play games off of the Stadia app? When will I be able to wishlist/gift games to friends? When will I be able to message friends/join party chat/group chat? How can I stream my game to YouTube from a game I'm playing? What Stadia-exclusive features are being added to games I own? What games support cross-save across other platforms? Aside from that, is there a timeline for games coming to the platform? There hasn't been a single announcement for any new additions whatsoever. All we know of is Cyberpunk coming in April, but that's pretty much it. What else is being added?

[Mad_Dog_Bravo]

@spad3 : Is that even confirmed that Cyberpunk is hitting Stadia in April?  I don't recall Stadia being included in that release date, unless this is new information...?

I doubt that there will be much of a roadmap with specific dates made publicly available.  It should be sufficient to say early 2020 which could imply anything within the first 6 months, and late 2020 which could be at any point in the last 6 months of the year.

The problem with giving precise dates or features is that it sets a level of expectation with zero tolerance towards missed dates or delayed features.  Instead you have a whole bunch of folks screaming that their whole world has collapsed and the sun will implode above their heads unless Google give 'em a whole bunch of free games and credits because little Johnny can't play Cyberpunk on the date that he thought that he could and he booked 2 weeks off work for the launch experience...

So, my own feeling on the matter is that giving too much information is actually an utter nightmare, and better to leave it in a more generic term that won't cause as much heartache and headache if dates actually slip for whatever reasons that that might be.

[spad3]

See the problem is that most users that hopped on board and paid the $130 entry fee had a 3 month period to experience what Stadia is. And so far, in month 2.5 (technically), it's been largely stagnant. There hasn't been any notable feature additions, the library of games has been the same since launch, the main dashboard hasn't gotten any update, there's no way to message friends, no way to voice chat with friends, you can't stream your game to YouTube, and there's literally chunks of basic functionality flat-out missing. The 3 month period should've been a period to impress and wow the customer base, or at least give them enough to stay on board. Take a look at week 1 adoption rates and then compare them to active user base as of this week. Then look at sales numbers from week 1 and compare them to refunds by the end of December. They'll tell you that people's attention need to be held in order to sustain Stadia in the long run. Content needs to be added at practically lightspeed in order to keep up with other platforms.

[Mad_Dog_Bravo]

@spad3 :

$130 for a CCU and controller is probably more accurate than just an entrance fee. But yes, $130 gets you on Stadia and you get some free games of which we’ve had 2 each month. Library of games has increased as there have been 4 or 5 new releases added to Stadia iirc. There are some additional titles scheduled for release in 2020 and no dates yet what is planned from EA or Capcom either. 

Features have been light, web page added store capability, assistant added, buddy pass available and limited achievements system added.

From my perspective or at least my kids perspective as they play more than me, they like it a lot. They get excited when new games get released and get really excited any time a game makes it to the pro list, as do I as it saves me cash. 

But we have all the consoles we need at home the kids play them all, does it effect my investment in Stadia? nope, will I cancel my pro subscription once the free period expires, not yet either, still early days, the kids like the free games, its only going to get better, it will take time, but no point getting worked up over lack of information or refund rates or any of that, just enjoy it for what it is currently and give it some time, or let the subscription lapse and return in 6 months or so.  

Choice is yours to take, that’s what is great with this setup, you don't have to keep the pro subscription running if you don't want to. Freedom of choice. 

[Thr33pw00d]

When it comes to a tco by the end of February for me personally it looks like this. And yes, I do compare the value of the free games with PS4 a) because it‘s the only platform I use and b) yes I do know about the ongoing discussion that the pricing should be more aligned with PC pricing.

+ 130€ Founders Edition

+ 38,99€ Borderlands 3

+ 10€ Tomb Raider: Definitve Edition (yes, bought it and didn‘t get a refund)

- 29,97€ 3 months free Stadia Pro Subscription

- 19,99€ Thumper

- 15,99€ Rise of the Tomb Raider

- 26,99€ Farming Simulator 2019

- about 30€ In total worth of another two games in February (assumption)

——————————————————————————————————

Total: 56,05€

So basically it‘s buying a new game and getting my hands on it. Although this personal tco gives reliable figures it does not tell us anything about holding on to the service or if one should buy a game or not. IMHO and besides all the ongoing discussion about the lack of information about Stadia if you believe in the service and it works out for you, there is no argument against buying a game you like or sticking to the service. Another strategy might be to continue the subscription and see what games you get and how the service evolves. And of course to cancel the subscription is also an option. My personal downside is that I can‘t play at a Hotel or on the road due to captive portal and my devices being not supported yet. So one of the most anticipated features „gaming everywhere“ does not work for me - although I‘m willing to stick to the service and see what comes around...

Join the dark side - we‘ve got Kudos

[Chupacabra]

@Thr33pw00d 

I really like how you've laid out TCO for the platform so far.  However, be aware that some games have much higher MSRP due to being special editions (such as Rise of the Tomb Raider and Farming Sim).  I've spent a little more, myself:
+ $130 Founder's kit
+ $60 Red Dead Redemption 2 on launch
+ $30 RDR2 Online Outlaw Pass and gold bars - yeehaw
+ $24 GRID on sale
+ $10 Tomb Raider (also did not pursue refund)
+ $30 Gylt
+ $30 FFXV on launch sale
+ $24 Shadow of the Tomb Raider on sale
- $30 3 months of Pro for free
- $20 Thumper 
- $60 Rise of the Tomb Raider 20th Ann. Ed.
- $35 Farming Sim 2019 Platinum Ed.
- $60 Samurai Shodown 
- $50 Destiny 2: The Collection (only counting Shadowkeep, & already owned all previous)
---------------------
Total: $338 spent, $255 saved, ∆+$83

It's fair to say that the more someone has invested, the more they want news as a means to reassure their investments - nobody wants to be on the "losing team," so to speak, with skin in the game.  Here's to news soon and a good February Pro games lineup!

[Nilas]

Guys, with all respect, and I understand in most cases this is a welcome privilege to have freebies (I myself am glad to play them), we shouldn't count the claimed games anything in the 130$ package.

It's not like we had a coupon to spend money in the store.

Still, we got a controler (which is worth like 60€ I guess) and a CCU (worth 70€), and we got 3 months of a service which is missing basic features, most of them that should be included in the 10€ subscription.

I don't feel robbed but that's definitely not the deal of the year. I would feel better if I had 3 extra free month, starting from whenever the service receives 4K on chrome and be playable on my phone.

[Nilas]

Hell no. Delays are ok. There are delays quite often. It's ok if we have a vision for what's coming anyways. Currently there is nothing announced, so all the appeal is fading out.

The true issue is that the community managers probably don't know anything. As I've read from them on social medias, it has become obvious to me that the heads sealing deals are keeping their secrets, even for them. So they're crossing fingers so a Google Connect is finally announced and we can chill. It's a shame Google heads are ruining the service this way. I'm getting furious.

[spad3]

Delays are fine as long as there's some sort of announcement or roadmap in the first place. They don't have to set solid dates or anything just give a time frame on what's to come. The gaming industry does this all the time. For example:

"Google Stadia announces XYZ feature that will be coming to Stadia in Q2/Q3 of 2020!"

or

"XYZ The Game is coming exclusively to Stadia in Q2 2020!"

or

"XYZ The Game is getting a Stadia Exclusive feature in Q2 2020!"

That way the userbase has something to look forward to and holds on to their subscription, rather than saying nothing because of "secrets" and then losing out on tons of customers who now have a bad taste in their mouth because of a stagnant platform, community, and will be reluctant to come back in the event that things change.