There's good news for those waiting on the Google Stadia: you won't lose access to your games on the platform even if its publisher decides to make an exit. That's just one of the things that search giant revealed in a recent update to the service's FAQ.
The FAQ also informs users that once you buy the game on Google's platform, you'll own the right to play it. So if the time comes that the game becomes unavailable for other players, you'd still be able to play it.
"Outside of unforeseen circumstances," the FAQ says, "Stadia will aim to keep any previously purchased title available for gameplay."
One question this leaves though is about games hosted on Google's cloud service. What if the game relies on specific server-based features, like from physics simulations to third-party authentication that a game maker (or Google itself) shutters? Last week's FAQ doesn't say.
The updated FAQ did confirm, however, that Stadia will support multiplayer titles, including couch-based coops. Google says the Stadia will allow up to four controllers to play local multiplayer games. the Stadia controller, by the way, uses BLE for setup, but it connects via WiFi for gameplay. However, you can also connect the controller to a phone, a tablet, or a PC via a USB cable plugged into its USB-C port.
It should be noted that Google Stadia will only support mobile gameplay on a selected number of devices at launch. These are the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a (3a, 3a XL, 3, 3XL) phones, as well as tablets running Chrome OS.
If you don't own any of these devices, don't worry. Google is working on making other devices compatible with the platform. About VR support, however, Google says it doesn't have anything to share about that yet. But you can purchase games using any iOS 11+ or Android M+ device that can run the Stadia app.
Another thing that Google clarified is that the account you sign up for Stadia doesn't have to be the address you use. The service will merely send a Stadia redemption code to the Google account you use to sign up, but you can redeem that code using a different email address. This is pretty convenient. You can buy codes as gifts for family and friends if you're bored and want to try some of the platform's multiplayer games.
One of the last interesting additions to the FAQ is about whether Stadia will be compatible with Daydream or other VR headsets. Google's reply leaves open the possibility for future developments, but nothing in the short-term.
