Google Unveils Stadia, Its Online Video Game System

Google has unveiled Stadia, a new game streaming platform that will deliver instant access to games on any type of screen. The company's goal is to make those games available in resolutions up to 4K and 60 frames per second with HDR and surround sound. The system will launch later this year in select countries including the U.S., Canada, U.K. and much of Europe.

Stadia will give the players a chance to play through the web instead of buying consoles or PCs. Developers will have access to nearly unlimited resources to create the games. The hardware behind the service combines server class GPU, CPU, memory and storage. Google also created a dedicated controller that will work with computers and smartphones, while the games will be played via Google's Chrome browser.

Google wouldn’t say how much it will charge users, or whether it will be funded through advertising like most of its other businesses. The service will launch later this year, the company said, without announcing partnerships with the top-tier game developers. Stadia will run through the company’s video-streaming platform YouTube.

"Using Google’s vast experience, reach and decades of investment we’re making Stadia a powerful gaming platform for players, developers and YouTube content creators of all sizes. We’re building a playground for every imagination," said Phil Harrison, Vice President and GM, Google Stadia.