Google unveils Stadia, its 'Netflix for games' streaming service

Google has just unveiled its potentially revolutionary new video game streaming service, Stadia.

The company's new platform, which was announced on Tuesday at the 2019 Game Developers Conference, will allow users to stream video games across their desktops, laptops, TVs, tablets, and phones without the need for expensive hardware, per CNBC. The company said, per The Verge, that the service will allow for "instant access to play" since no downloads are required, and it says users will be able to jump into a game in less than five seconds, writes The Hollywood Reporter. An announcement video for Stadia declares, "The future of gaming is not a box. It's a place."

Stadia will work on devices with a Chrome browser, with Google having previously tested a program that allowed users to stream Assassin's Creed Odyssey in a browser, TechCrunch reports. Although you'll be able to use USB controllers or your keyboard and mouse with Stadia, Google will also launch a controller with it, which connects directly to WiFi. No price point for Stadia has been announced, nor has a full line-up of launch titles, although one of them will be Doom Eternal, reports The Verge.

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Google is the latest company to jump into the cloud gaming pool — Microsoft previously announced its own video game streaming service called Project xCloud. Amazon and Apple both reportedly plan to launch a similar services as the race to become the definitive "Netflix for games" heats up.