Google is all set to open its Stadia cloud gaming service to more interested customers. There’s a new promotion that is starting this month that will offer three months of its Stadia Pro subscription to owners of Chromecast Ultra devices. Moreover, you don’t have to buy a new device and can rather opt to receive promotional emails from Google. Basically, the company is sending out the offer to known Chromecast Ultra-owning customers.
Google confirmed that this works as the platform’s buddy pass system and it’s a first of its kind promotion for Stadia. However, it is not clear if it’s restricted to a certain country since it is available in 14 countries and regions around the globe.
Stadia Pro is the only version of Google’s cloud service that is currently available. There will be a standard tier without 4K streaming that is supposed to be free – but Google is yet to launch it. So, with that being said, the only way to play Stadia outside a Chrome browser or on a supported Android device is with a Chromecast Ultra connected to a TV.
Stadia Pro costs $10 a month right now. Before this, the only way to access the service has been through a buddy pass given out by an existing subscriber or by purchasing the $129 Premier edition. That bundle includes a three-month pass, Google’s custom Stadia controller and a Chromecast Ultra.
However, Google is apparently interested in getting more users on the platform and gave out an extra buddy pass to Pro users in December. They also announced the opening of a new internal game studio in Playa Vista, California. Apparently, the former head of God of War creator Santa Monica Studio is going to lead the project, which will be dedicated to developing Stadia exclusives.