Chapter 1: The Closure of Google Stadia

Recently, a select few received disappointing news — Google has announced the discontinuation of its cloud-gaming platform, Stadia, set for January. This announcement hit me hard, although Google is generously offering refunds for any purchases made on the service. I truly enjoyed Stadia! However, as I reflected on what I appreciated about it, I realized that those very features might have contributed to its downfall.

Here’s what I valued about Stadia: it was affordable! It felt akin to owning a PlayStation without the hefty $500 price tag. All I needed to do was buy the games I wanted (I never opted for the monthly “pro” subscription). I could play instantly on my TV, laptop, or even my phone. My primary gaming experience was on a TV using a Chromecast and controller, which Google provided free of charge when I purchased my first game. There were frequent sales on games, and the only game I purchased at full price was Red Dead Redemption II, which was worth every cent. In total, I spent around $150 (which will reportedly be refunded) to enjoy five or six premium games over a couple of years. It was incredibly economical! I often wonder how Google turned a profit selling games for $20 while allowing me to access them on their server farms at no extra cost.

The service functioned adequately! Despite not having the fastest internet (around 50 Mbps), Stadia generally worked well for me. Occasionally, if others were using the Wi-Fi heavily, I experienced some lag, but it wasn't a significant issue for me (especially given my cost savings). Sometimes, I even appreciated the interruptions, as they allowed me to focus on more pressing matters. My son, a dedicated PC gamer, wasn’t fond of Stadia due to concerns about frame rates and lag. However, as a casual gamer who just wanted to roam around in Red Dead Redemption, I was mostly satisfied. While Stadia's performance was decent for me, I understand it wouldn’t meet the standards of hardcore gamers willing to invest heavily in their gaming experiences.

The selection of games was satisfactory! As a busy middle-aged man, I didn't have much time for gaming, yet I enjoyed it when I could. I would typically buy a new game on Stadia every few months, especially when they were on sale. I've heard many complaints about Stadia's limited game library and the absence of new titles, but that didn't bother me. I often wait six months for games like FIFA to drop in price. Thus, there were plenty of enjoyable games for me, even if others had already played them. However, this limited selection likely disappointed those who eagerly pay full price for new releases and all associated downloadable content.

I will genuinely miss Stadia. I don’t play video games enough to warrant the expense of a new console every few years, and I truly appreciated the chance to enjoy console games on my TV. Despite some technical hiccups, Stadia was a remarkable service — it’s easy to overlook the fact that I could engage in gaming from my basement while accessing a server thousands of miles away, with a 90% success rate.

Nonetheless, I recognize that casual gamers like me, who occasionally go a month without gaming and typically wait for sales on titles, were not the target audience that would generate substantial revenue for Google.

While there are alternative cloud gaming services available, they often seem pricier and not as effective as Stadia. It's a real disappointment.

So, farewell, Stadia. You were a perfect fit for my gaming needs, which perhaps explains your untimely end.

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Chapter 2: Reflections on Google Stadia's Legacy

In the first video, "Why Did Google Stadia FAIL?!", the creator explores the reasons behind Stadia's downfall, analyzing its business model and the challenges it faced in a competitive market.

The second video, "The Tale of Google Stadia: Google's Failed Cloud Gaming Revolution," provides a narrative of Stadia's journey, detailing its rise and the factors that led to its closure.