Let’s face it, Google Stadia has been having a rough time lately. Actually, it’s been having a rough time since it launched, but that doesn’t mean that the service is beyond salvaging.
With the recent software studio closure, subscriber confidence in the platform is at an all-time low, with most of Google’s customers upset and angry that they won’t get the in-house AAA titles it promised them.
Something needs to change, but what?
How Can Google Stadia Keep Its Customers Happy?
There are a few things Google could do to make Stadia subscribers happy and turn it into the great service it means the cloud gaming platform to be. Below are three of the major improvements we want to see from Stadia.
1. Easier Accessibility to Stadia
One of the major selling points that Google Stadia has going for it is convenience. No updating, no installing, just buy a game and play it. The problem with that selling point is that it only really counts if you have the right equipment.
To get the full range of use out of Stadia, you need a Chromecast, or a PC, or a phone mount for a Bluetooth controller. While most gamers already have these things, they also probably already have other gaming options besides Stadia.
The best way for Google to unlock their platform would be to make it easier to use. A version of the app available for Smart TVs would make the service much easier to use, and more attractive to more casual players.
It would also be great to play Stadia on consoles, either via apps or built-in web browsers. The more places the service becomes available, the more people will want to play it.
2. More Stadia Game Deals and Freebies
While Stadia has a decent history of offers and special incentives, more is always better. Right now, there’s not much reason to buy a game on the service over a traditional release on a non-streaming platform.
With a lack of need for physical production, Google should ensure that all new releases are cheaper on Stadia than they are anywhere else. If there’s one surefire way to keep subscribers are happy and gaming, then it’s to make the service the cheapest place to play the latest games.
Also, while it’s great that Stadia Pro comes with games each month, it would be nice to see one or two extra freebies every so often. Maybe make one game each month tied to the account properly, rather than requiring a Stadia Pro subscription to use it, would be a wonderful gesture to thank subs for their support.
3. More Stadia Customizability
If there’s one thing that Stadia is currently really lacking, it’s customizability. When you’re streaming a game, there’s really no direct way to control the settings you’re streaming at.
Right now, if you suffer from intermittent stuttering or constant quality changes, there’s not much you can do about it. It would be great to see Stadia introduce some options that allowed you to select your streaming settings manually.
Even an option to select a specific resolution, or to cap frame rates, might make things slightly better. This option is especially necessary when we’re talking about online games like Dead by Daylight.
Even with a stable internet connection, trying to play online games on a streaming service can be an exercise in total frustration. It would be great to see the user given the option on whether to prioritize graphical quality or playability depending on the game they’re playing.
That’s How To Keep Stadia Subscribers Happy
There you have it, everything Google needs to do to keep Stadia subscribers as happy as possible. Hopefully, the company will stand behind its streaming service and we won’t have another abandoned project for Google’s list of shame.
If not, Google risks losing even more of its Stadia subscribers, which may well signal the end for the platform.