E3 2019: Google Stadia — What We Know And Want To See At E3

The way we play games changes by the year, but there’s something particularly special about 2019: the advent of cloud-based streaming. Google is leading the charge with Stadia, which is a hardware-less gaming platform that relegates all graphical processing to remote data centers. Through an internet connection, you’ll be able to stream games directly to any capable device using the power of high-end machines housed elsewhere. So, it doesn’t matter what your actual local hardware is; as long as you can run a Chrome browser and have a sufficient internet connection, you can play any game available on Stadia.

Stadia was first unveiled at the Game Developers’ Conference 2019 with a keynote presentation outlining the first details of this new platform. We were given a breakdown of how the tech works, a few on-stage demonstrations, some of its unique capabilities, and a tease of which studios would be contributing to Stadia. And we even got hands on with Stadia itself on the GDC show floor. With E3 2019 right around the corner, we expect Google to make another push with new announcements and more information since the company said it’ll have more to share in the summer. This could encompass Stadia’s business model, upcoming game library, and possible release date–it’s set to launch sometime this year in the US, UK, and “most of Europe” after all, and E3 is as good a time as any to go big.

What We Know So Far

The unveiling of Stadia at GDC 2019 gave us plenty of details about the platform. Aside from the fact that it’s entirely based in the cloud, making it accessible on multiple devices, we know about its technical specifications. At launch, Stadia users will have the power of a custom multi-core hyper-threading CPU clocked at 2.7 GHz, 16GB of RAM, cloud SSD storage, and most notably a brand-new AMD GPU rated at 10.7 TFLOPs–for comparison, the Xbox One X (the current powerhouse for consoles) is rated at 6.0 TFLOPs. Stadia will be able to play games at 4K resolution at 60 frames-per-second, though that may vary depending on games, optimization, and your own internet connection. There are plans to gradually upgrade Stadia’s specs over time, and Google is aiming to support 8K and 120 FPS in the future. But Stadia’s capabilities aren’t bound by a simple TFLOP number, since cloud-based tech can account for much more.

You won’t have to wait around for game downloads, and updates or patches since Stadia is pulling from a cloud-based version whichever game you’re playing. Google is also going to great lengths for YouTube integration, and we’ve seen it in action, like being able to jump into specific parts of a game based on a video, which is called State Share. Streamers can also let viewers join their multiplayer games instantly through what’s called Crowd Play. Google Voice Assistant will be featured as well, and could have significant implications for guides and instant access to information for games you’re playing.

When it comes to cloud-based services, bandwidth is always a huge concern as this could be a deal-breaker depending on ISP conditions and data caps. Google stated that 20 to 25 mbps is necessary for a proper 1080p 60FPS experience and around 30 mbps for 4K. As for input lag, Google VP Phil Harrison said in response to whether or not he’s confident in Stadia’s performance will satisfy players, “Absolutely, unequivocally, yes.” He cited the expectations that id Software has for Doom Eternal and how Stadia has been able to meet those expectations with its responsiveness in gameplay.

What’s Confirmed For E3

Nothing has been confirmed for E3 2019 on Google’s behalf, yet. However, the GDC reveal was capped off by saying that there would be more details to come in the Summer. Well, E3 is in June, and June is in the Summer, so it’s fair to think that Google would insert itself into (or at least around) the biggest convention for the gaming industry. Whether it’s officially part of E3 proper isn’t likely. We may see some publisher/developer booths with Stadia running certain games, but we don’t expect to Google to have an official presence at the show since it is not part of the ESA.

What We Hope To See At E3

As much as we know about Google Stadia, there are still plenty of questions that need answering and finer details that need explaining. Most importantly, what does the Stadia pricing model look like? Will it be a subscription based service, or is it simply a platform where you purchase access to specific games, or will there be options for incremental play time? Maybe it’s a hybrid of all these? It’s a mystery at this point, but Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot predicted that it would blend several purchase options. Back in April, Google stated that it already decided on a pricing model but planned on sharing details at a later date. Well, Stadia launches this year and the coming days would be as good a time as any to make the announcement.

Up to now, we’ve seen Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and the upcoming shooter Doom Eternal (see above) running on Stadia live. While those are some big names, that’s only two games, one of which has been out for months already. Google has boasted wide ranging partnerships with notable developers and publishers like Ubisoft, Bethesda, and 2K Games, and introduced its own first-party studio led by former EA and Ubisoft head Jade Raymond. With this in mind, we’d expect to see more games running on Stadia. A tentative launch lineup would also be nice to drum up hype for the platform, but to also get a better idea of what we can expect to play on it.

While Stadia’s key selling point is the elimination of a hardware requirement, Google is still going to offer its own controller specifically designed to give you convenient access to the platform’s unique tools. The Stadia controller was on display at GDC 2019 when the platform was first announced, but attendees couldn’t actually get their hands on it. We’d hope to get a feel for how it works and how its ergonomics compare to the DualShock and Xbox controllers, gamepads we’ve been using for years now.

We’re covering cloud-based game streaming from all angles as this is a big shift in the gaming industry, and you can keep up with all the Google Stadia news and details here on GameSpot.

Zelda Spin-Off Cadence Of Hyrule Releasing In June

Nintendo has narrowed down the release window for Cadence of Hyrule, the upcoming Zelda-themed Crypt of the NecroDancer game for Switch. During its recent Indie World 2019 broadcast, the company announced the title will launch sometime in June.

On top of confirming its release window, Nintendo showcased roughly a minute of new footage of Cadence of Hyrule, which you can watch below. The segment begins around the 6:57 mark and shows Link and Zelda–both of whom are playable in the upcoming game–navigating a handful of environments inspired by A Link to the Past and battling classic enemies like Bokoblins and Darknuts.

Nintendo had previously announced Cadence of Hyrule would be launching sometime this spring, although the company hadn’t specified when. There was speculation the game would surprise release this week, after eagle-eyed fans discovered a line that reads, “Release date: May 30, 2019” in the source code of Nintendo’s website. However, that has since been changed to say June 20, although whether that is the game’s actual release date or merely placeholder text remains to be seen.

Cadence of Hyrule was first announced back in March, during the Nindies Spring Showcase 2019 presentation. The game is being developed by Brace Yourself–the studio behind the original Crypt of the NecroDancer–and blends CotND’s signature rhythm-based combat with music, characters, and environments from the Legend of Zelda series. Nintendo says the game boasts 25 remixed Zelda songs, as well as a randomly generated overworld and dungeons.

Cadence of Hyrule isn’t the only 2D Zelda game coming to Switch this year. Nintendo is also releasing a remake of the series’ classic Game Boy installment, Link’s Awakening, for the hybrid console sometime in 2019. We will likely hear more about that game during Nintendo’s E3 2019 Direct presentation, which takes place on Tuesday, June 11, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST.

Destiny 2 – Where Is Xur? Exotic Vendor Location Guide (May 31 – June 4)

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The Witcher Netflix Show Finishes Production

The Witcher is one of the most anticipated upcoming shows over the next few months. The show, adapted from the popular novels turned video game series, is set to hit Netflix in the last three months of 2019, and it has now been confirmed that production has finished on Season 1.

The news comes via star Henry Cavill, who plays Geralt of Rivia. He took to Instagram to post about the “incredible journey” of making the show. “Season 1 of The Witcher has finally come to an end,” he wrote. “And although I’m pulling a face here it has been an incredible journey! The cast and crew worked tirelessly throughout, everyone pitched in and brought their A game to set and I couldn’t be more proud of you all.” The post was accompanied by a picture of Cavill in a make-up chair–check it out below:

The Witcher’s showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich also marked the end of production on Twitter. “That’s a wrap on season one,” she wrote. “I have enough gray hair to play Geralt now, but it’s been the best year of my life. So grateful to the writers, the cast, and the exceptional crew who worked their asses off to make the Continent come to life.”

The show is also set to star Freya Allan (Into the Badlands) as Ciri and Anya Chalotra (Wanderlust) as Yennifer, two notable names from the series. We’ve not seen any footage yet, although you can check out Cavill’s first screen test, which showed him donning Geralt’s iconic silver mane.

The Witcher will run for eight episodes, and is based on the fantasy novel series written by Andrzej Sapkowski, from which the games are also adapted. Sapkowski has worked on the English language drama series as a creative consultant.

As for the Witcher game series, the newest instalment was 2015’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. No new projects in the series have been announced, and developer CD Projekt Red is now working on the much-anticipated Cyberpunk 2077.

Amazon’s Good Omens Miniseries Review

This is a (mostly) spoiler-free review of Amazon’s Good Omens Miniseries. You can binge the entire series on Friday, May 31. 

It probably goes without saying, but the end of the world is a pretty big deal… Some might even call it a biblical event. So when you need that particular story done right, why not look to iconic author and comic book creator Neil Gaiman (Sandman, American Gods) for guidance? Amazon’s apocalyptic-sized bet on Gaiman’s ability to successfully adapt the novel he and Terry Pratchett co-authored back in 1990 has paid off. Good Omens, while not without its flaws, is a charming, witty, and gorgeously directed journey through heaven and hell that makes for a devilishly-good binge when all six episodes drop on May 31.

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Deal Alert: Grab a Nintendo Switch Bundle on Sale Now

If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.

Looking to buy a Nintendo Switch? Good news: Walmart has some great deals on Switch bundles that can save you a nice chunk of change. Deals like this have been uncommon since the Switch launched, mostly because the console has been flying off the shelf ever since it launched. So whether you’re getting your first Switch or adding another to your household, you might as well save some money.

Nintendo Switch with $25 Walmart Gift Card, Carrying Case, and Screen Protector for $299

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The Batman: Matt Reeves’ Movie Is Now Reportedly a Trilogy

Matt Reeves’ Batman movie is now reportedly the first part of a trilogy.

In a new report stating that Robert Pattinson has been approved to play the title role, Deadline also says The Batman is a trilogy featuring the Twilight actor, rather than a single film.

Planet of the Apes director Reeves has previously said he has ideas for a multi-movie Batman story: “I have ideas about an arc,” Reeves said in 2017, “but really, the important thing is just to start… you have to start with one.”

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Daily Deals: Preorder the Death Stranding Collector’s Edition

Welcome to IGN’s Daily Deals, your source for the best deals on the stuff you actually want to buy. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.

We bring you the best deals we’ve found today on video games, hardware, electronics, and a bunch of random stuff too.Check them out here or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the latest deals.

Death Stranding Collector’s Edition for $199.99

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