Google Stadia launch line-up expanded, amid backlash

When Google announced the launch titles that were to be released alongside the ‘console’ on Tuesday the 19th of November, it brought with it a wave of criticism. With only 12 games, and many of them over a year old, Google Stadia’s launch line-up appeared lackluster to many ‘Founders’ who were previously anticipating its release. In the wake of this criticism however, Google has attempted to placate fans, and has now expanded the lineup to 22 games, including an extra free offering to Stadia Pro users.

The 12 titles that were originally announced for launch were: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Destiny 2, GYLT, Just Dance 2020, Kine, Mortal Kombat 11, Red Dead Redemption 2, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Samurai Shodown, Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Thumper, and Tomb Raider: Definitive edition.

The list now includes 10 additional titles: Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle, Farming Simulator 2019, Final Fantasy XV, Football Manager 2020, GRID (2019), Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, Rage 2, Trials Rising, and Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Furthermore, while Stadia Pro users were promised to receive Destiny 2: The Collection for free, another title, Samurai Shodown has also been added as a freebie for Stadia Pro subscribers.

The updated launch line-up and the inclusion of a second free game certainly adds value to Google Stadia’s launch, making the deal much more enticing for existing ‘Founders’, and potential customers alike. It does beg the question of why Google chose not to launch the service with 22 games in the first place, if these games were ready for launch.

All of the additional 10 games are titles which were previously promised to come out by the end of 2019. With them now being brought forward as launch titles, what does this mean for the rest of 2019? Will Stadia only release 4 games in the month and a half following the service’s launch? Hopefully Google will announce an update to its future plans soon, reassuring early adopters that putting their faith in Google was not in vain.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of Google Stadia’s expanded line-up? Have they done enough to convince you to buy it? Do you think this move was a response to fan backlash, or Microsoft’s X019 project xCloud announcements? Let us know down below.

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