Skip to main content

Google Stadia pre-orders don’t guarantee you’ll get to play on release day

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google Stadia launches on November 19 (sort of), with those who purchased the Founder’s Edition getting access to the streaming service, along with a new controller and Chromecast Ultra. However, it appears that it could be too late to get into the fun on launch day, even if you’ve already pre-ordered Google Stadia.

On the official Stadia Facebook page, Google posted that the Founder’s Edition had been completely sold out. Along with the aforementioned accessories, the Founder’s Edition bundle also include a badge, the ability to pick your name before other players, three months of the Stadia Pro subscription service, and a Buddy Pass that gives a friend three months of Stadia Profor free. With this bundle, you have everything you need to play Google Stadia, provided that you have a television with a USB port and a moderately fast internet connection.

Recommended Videos

Now that the Founder’s Edition is sold out, the Premiere Edition is your option if you want to play Stadia in 2019, and it costs the same $129. It includes most of what is offered in the Founder’s Edition, but with a white controller instead of a blue one and no Buddy Pass for a friend. This would still be a no-brainer for anyone interested in playing Stadia come November 19, but Google recently told The Verge that pre-orders do not guarantee first access.

Watch Dogs Legion - 'Welcome to the Resistance' Official Trailer | Stadia Connect

Even Founder’s Editions might not arrive on time, with Google only expecting all Founder’s Edition and Premiere Edition bundles to be released within the first two weeks of the service’s official launch. It’s hardly the end of the world when considering that those jumping on board this early likely have another way to play games in the interim, but it’s bizarre when comparing it to the rest of the game industry — could Call of Duty: Modern Warfare players be satisfied with getting their game two weeks after everyone else?

Please enable Javascript to view this content

More Google Stadia options will be available slightly later down the road. This includes a Stadia Pro membership without any bundle — Stadia supports other controllers — as well as a Stadia Base service that doesn’t require a subscription fee. Stadia Pro will only cost $10 per month, and should include enough content to keep subscribers busy for a long time.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is a great fighter, if you don’t play online
Jotaro pointing at the screen in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R.

In an age where all fighting games are getting stronger netcode with rollback updates, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle had the potential to make an impact with an all-new updated port featuring new characters and mechanics. The original version that was released for the PlayStation 3 was plagued by a 30 frames per second (fps) frame rate and terrible online play. A new release has the potential to fix all those issues and give the game a second life.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R - First Announcement Trailer | PS5, PS4

Read more
Google gives LG TV owners three free months of Stadia Pro
Google Stadia on an LG TV.

Google and LG today announced that they're giving three months of access to Stadia Pro to new and existing owners of LG TVs.

Stadia is Google's cloud-based gaming service that works with various devices such as LG televisions, Chromecast with Google, and other supported hardware. There's nothing to plug in — you just pair a controller and get things going with the Stadia app on your phone, and you're good to go.

Read more
The best Google Stadia games for 2022
google stadia review rs 2

Google Stadia takes a quality-over-quantity approach to its library of games. There aren't a lot of titles available -- though that's been rapidly changing over the past few months -- but the few that are available are excellent. From massive RPGs like Red Dead Redemption 2 to indie horror adventures like Gylt, Google Stadia has a little something for everyone. Here are the best Google Stadia games you should start playing first.

Most of the games on our list cost some money, even if you're a Stadia Pro subscriber. There are a few, however, that are available for free through a Pro membership.

Read more