Google Stadia Pro Is More Like PlayStation Plus Than Netflix Of Gaming

Cloud-based gaming is believed to be the next step in the industry, and Google has made its mark with Google Stadia. However, the public is still confusion about how the Pro tier works and also the pricing strategy of the company. So here we will tell you more about these two aspects of Stadia:

Google Stadia Doesn’t Actually Cost Anything

The most significant misunderstanding of users and some media outlets after Google released more details on its upcoming streaming service is that you have to pay to play games on Stadia, but that is not true.

The service Google provides is free of charge, and you will only have to pay for the game titles you would like to play, which is named Stadia Base. With this tier of service, players will be able to stream games at 1080p/60fps with most mainstream titles. No matter which tier you choose, whether it is Stadia Pro or Stadia Base, players will only pay for the games they want to play.

While we have had nothing more on what the company intends to ask for, Google said that the game titles would be available at their usual retail prices.

So in short, Google Stadia works just like PC or console, you do not pay for the service, you pay for the games.

Stadia Pro Delivers Benefits And ‘Free Games’

For $10 a month for Stadia Pro, the key selling point is the benefits it can bring. What most users find most attracting here is that Pro subscribers have access to a library free games regularly.

The most notable is Destiny 2: The Collection and all of its currently available expansions. We do not know if there are more “free” stuff coming in the future, but Google has made itself a solid start with this game. However, these games will be free to play for users as long as they pay the monthly subscription fee, meaning when you stop paying $10 per month, you will no longer have access to the free titles.

Apart from these free stuff, Pro tier players have to pay for other games just like everyone else, and these paid titles will be theirs permanently after the purchase. This is what most people find hard to understand as they have been hoping that Google would work just like Netflix, meaning they have to pay a monthly fee to have access to a library of games without any additional cost. However, if Google goes for that system, you may expect to pay way more than $10 per month, given the vast upcoming releases Google has promised.

Stadia Pro subscribers also get discounts on certain titles along with the free games, which may remind you of what PlayStation Plus offers. This is sometimes more beneficial than the free titles as you will lose access if you cancel the subscription, but with a cut in price, the benefit will stay with you forever, even when you do not want to subscribe for Stadia Pro anymore.

Another attractive offer of the Pro tier besides what we have been talking about is the quality of the games. With the Stadia Pro, users will have a quality of 4K, 60fps, and 5.1 Surround Sound. This may not be as appealing as a library of free games, but they are a nice addition that can enhance the overall experience that Google gives you at the expense of $10 monthly fee.

This Pricing Model Is Far From Unprecedented

You may realize that Stadia Pro pricing strategy is somewhat similar to that of Sony with its PlayStation Plus. We have free games with both systems for a monthly fee with some other benefits.

Despite the similarity, what Google has for its Stadia Pro tier is more beneficial in some respects. This subscription fee is not required if players choose to opt for online playing. With PlayStation, you will have to pay the subscription fee to do this. As Sony asks for $59 a year for its service, Google’s price for Stadia Pro is twice as much as that of Sony in total. However, if you choose to pay monthly with PlayStation Plus, the fee is still $10 though.

What Does Stadia Pro’s Pricing Mean For Users?

This pricing strategy can be a crucial selling point for Google as well as its biggest downfall. At first sight, the service is exactly what users have been expecting, the Netflix of gaming, you pay an amount of subscription fee, and then you will have access to a library of games. However, that is not what Stadia is.

The $10 per month is still a good deal for most people at this point. The service does not ask for a console that can get outdated or needs timely downloads. It works with virtually any device and any controller you may have or can afford. This is what users with a tight budget appreciate the most about Stadia, as it does not require a large upfront investment in order to work.

For example, a kid who may not have a lot of money for hardware, and have to ask his or her parents for that, convincing parents to pay a few hundred bucks for console and an addition of $60 is much harder than asking for $60 for games and another $10 for a monthly subscription. Obviously, in this case, opting for Stadia Pro is a lot easier.

If you are one of those who just want access to a handful of games, or you wish to try out the latest releases, choosing Stadia Pro is cheaper than investing in a console and several other expenses along the way with other services.

Is Stadia’s Pricing Right For You?

Google Stadia is not one-size-fits-all, and so is its Pro tier. So depending on your need and budget; this service from Google might not be the best choice for you.