68 TECH ADVISOR • APRIL 2020REVIEW
USB-C, and I’ve generally enjoyed using it. For a first
attempt? Great.
But why is it only half functional?Game selection
Google initially announced that Stadia would launch
alongside a dozen games. A week later, the number
was upped to 22. Neither list is all that impressive, with
only a single exclusive: Gylt, developed by Tequila
Works. Given we’re at the end of the release season,
that means most of Stadia’s line-up is old – either a
few months, or in some cases a few years. I don’t have
much to say about that situation, but it’s not making me
want to rush out and buy anything for Stadia.
And you have to. I think that’s worth reiterating,
because there is a Stadia Pro subscription and I get the
feeling most people still expect some sort of Netflix-
for-Games. That’s not Stadia. Stadia Pro does get you
copies of Destiny 2 and Samurai Shodown at launch,
withmorefreegamesteasedforthefuture.It also
getsyoutheoccasionaldiscount.
It doesnotgetyouanXboxGamePass-styleline-up
though.Manygames,likeRedDeadRedemptionII,
arethesameprice(ormore)onStadiaas they are
elsewhere. You are buying a version that is locked to
Google’s servers, and could conceivably disappear
entirely if Stadia shuts down.
I remain incredulous that Google took this approach.
Microsoft’s already said its competing streaming
service, Project xCloud, is coming to Xbox Game Pass
(which includes PCs) next year. That’s 100-plus games
available for £10.99 per month. Stadia’s subscription