Stadia comes out of the gate already limping.
GYLT

With the soft launch of Google Stadia rapidly approaching, it seems like we're beyond due for a look at the platform's launch lineup. Hell, we're probably beyond due for a look at the Stadia UI and full featureset, but that is another matter entirely.

Today, Google revealed a list of 12 games that will serve as the launch titles for when Stadia has a soft launch on November 19. For $130, you were able to get in on the ground floor of the launch of Stadia with the Founder's Edition. These kits have since sold out and were actually sold as a first come, first serve product. That means that not everybody that spent their cash will get one on the initial launch date. For those that got in late, you may have to wait a little while longer.

For those who are waiting for the full release, you have to wait until some time in early 2020. There will be a free release of Stadia at this point. All versions, including the Founder's Edition will have a monthly subscription fee of $10 per month. This $10 will get you access to an unspecified back catalog of free games. The Founder's Edition includes three months for free. However, this subscription service does not include access to all games. In fact, you still need to purchase most new releases separately. These games will be sold for the same prices you would find on other storefronts like PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Steam.

With all of that confusing mess out of the way, what sort of games can we actually expect to see? Well, next week brings about the release of 12 games that have been released on other platforms for some time now. Three out of these 12 games are Tomb Raider games. That's right: A quarter of the launch lineup is Tomb Raider. That's certainly something.

  • Assassin's Creed Odyssey
  • Destiny 2: the Collection
  • GYLT
  • Just Dance 2020
  • Kine
  • Mortal Kombat 11
  • Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider
  • Samurai Showdown
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
  • Thumper
  • Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
The only game on that list that is a Stadia exclusive is GYLT from Tequila Works, and even then it may not actually be anything more than a timed exclusive on Stadia. There's no doubt that the launch lineup for Stadia, as it applies to the non-Founder's Edition, will be far more robust. However, this one leaves a lot to be desired.

With Stadia's soft launch approach and rather weak launch lineup, the mountain they need to climb to impress a larger market is already quite massive. I suppose we'll start to see in about a week if Stadia has a future or if Google is going to quickly take it out back with the rest of its cancelled products.