Google developers reveal features missing from Stadia gaming platform at launch

Several key features will not be ready when Google’s Stadia gaming platform launches in less than a week’s time, developers at the firm have revealed.

Stadia is a cloud-based service which will stream games to players via an internet connection instead of requiring them to be downloaded, with Google’s servers handling much of the processing power.

Google is hoping to take on the likes of Microsoft and PlayStation with its cloud-based gaming service, which does not require a console, allowing gamers to play across multiple devices, including TV via a Chromecast Ultra, laptop through the Chrome browser, tablet, and the latest Pixel smartphones.

Responding to questions on Reddit, Stadia developers said users will not be able to see their achievements right away, though they will be saved and made available to view “shortly after launch”.

Family sharing of games will not be possible from day one, though “it’s a high priority feature” the company is planning to add early next year.

Separately purchased Chromecast Ultra devices which support 4K streaming will not be ready immediately for playing on the platform either, with developers telling people that an update will be put out soon after launch.

Developers also said they expect the first game with its multiplayer experience Stream Connect to debut by the end of the year.

“Our approach to releasing features on Stadia is similar to how we run Google Search, YouTube and other Google services: gradual rollout and continuous improvement, based on your feedback,” said Andrey Doronichev, Stadia’s director of product.

“We always start with nailing the key user-journey and then proceed with releasing extra features.”

Google has only made Stadia available as part of a Founder’s Edition initially on November 19, before releasing it more widely in 2020.