Stadia hit the ground running with a massive list of games that will be coming to the platform, but the thing to really focus on here is the inclusion of games that will be available to players for free. For those that subscribe to Stadia Pro, the $9.99 monthly option that comes with the Founder’s Edition bundle, free games will be released on a regular basis.
This begins with Destiny 2: The Collection which includes all of the current content like the base game, the Curse of Osiris and Warmind add-ons, and the Forsaken expansion as well as the upcoming Shadowkeep expansion that launches in September. It even includes of the annual pass content.
Google doesn’t list any other games that will be available for free to Stadia Pro subscribers but it does make sure to mention that free games will be a regular occurrence, which means it’s likely trying to tap into the very same thing that Sony and Microsoft are doing with their PlayStation Plus and Games with Gold subscriptions, which offer free games to subscribers every month.
What isn’t clear is if Google will do the same thing with Stadia, it’s entirely possible that the company only has plans to release free games for subs every so often. It’s also possible that a new free game will pop up as regularly as every month and if Google really wants Stadia to be as competitive as it’s letting on, this would be a great way to do so.
Stadia Pro is even on the same level as PlayStation Plus from a monthly cost standpoint (and less than the cost of the HD Netflix monthly option) so it’s already competing with Sony here. It would make perfect sense for Google to slide gamers a free title once a month to keep them happy and feeling like the service is a value at its cost.
Of course the opinion of how valuable the service is could shift depending on how much Google charges for the games on the Stadia platform. Going with something like Destiny 2 as a starter game for the freebie is definitely a smart move as it will be a game that will continuously expand and offer more content over time.
Not all subscribers will be interested in games like this though, so branching out and offering up different types of games for free as soon and as often as possible would benefit Stadia in more ways than one, especially since it’s very likely that games you have to purchase on Stadia will cost the same as on other platforms.
All that said, giving out free games on a regular basis adds a little something extra for those that might be considering Stadia as their gaming option. It’s the cherry on top for something that is being touted as a gaming platform for everyone from hardcore gamers to casual players.
Even if some of the customers who grab Stadia already own consoles and a gaming PC and have to buy games over again, the offer of free games will soften that blow and sweeten the whole deal as well as the experience. One thing to keep in mind is that games which are offered for free as part of the Stadia Pro service are likely to only stay free if the user continues to subscribe, though Google will let you keep and continue to play any games for Stadia that you have purchased even if you cancel Stadia Pro.