Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) announced on Wednesday that the tech giant would be removing the $130 barrier to entry fee for its Stadia cloud gaming service indefinitely, and just in time for worldwide stay-at-home measures. Stadia offers users in 14 countries access to popular video game titles without the need for a console, just high internet speeds (Google recommends at least 10 megabits per second bandwidth speeds) and a powerful PC, console or Android/iOS phone. Before, users would have to purchase a $129.99 special Stadia controller, a Chromecast streaming device and access to the online service.
In addition, Stadia's Pro version of the platform will be free for two months. Stadia Pro offers users instant access to nine different games for free with the option to pay for other titles as well. Google's move to make Stadia's platform free to use has put its ahead of other cloud gaming competitors including Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).
Google's announcement is junction with the World Health Organization's #PlayApartTogether campaign which encourages citizens of the world to stay inside and play video games by bringing special events, exclusives, activities and rewards to popular games.
"Keeping social distance is vital, but staying home for long periods can be difficult and feel isolation," Vice President of Stadia Phil Harrison stated. "Video games can be a valuable way to socialize with friends and family when you're stuck at home."
For those who want to use their existing video game systems for Stadia gameplay, The Verge found that you can use pretty much any system's controller that has Bluetooth capabilities, including XBOX One and 360 controllers and Playstation 4 DualShock (NYSE: SNE).
Other tech giants like Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) have also joined the #PlayApartTogether movement with Facebook Gaming releasing a new feature that allows users to create tournament events to play each other in various games at home. This feature was first created for eSports events and was later available to general users of the online gaming platform. Nintendo's (OTC: NTDOY) new game release Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become a sensational hit among those stuck at home. Amazon, who owns the gamine streaming platform Twitch, is also offering Amazon Prime subscribers and Twitch users five free games that are together worth $100 until May 1 to encourage people to remain indoors during the coronavirus pandemic.
For the market, video game related stocks and ETFs have generally outperformed the coronavirus-induced bear market. Worldwide stay-at-home orders have caused a record-breaking uptake in internet use globally as well as an enhanced need for home-based entertainment. Video games and other related consumer products have shown that they are near-recession proof due to their low cost entertainment value.