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While Google hasn't seen the best news with Stadia lately after stopping first-party games and Terraria being cancelled, the store continues on with some fresh announcements of new games, updates and some sales.

Firstly, a quick look at the new games. For those subscribing to the optional Stadia Pro, the just released horror adventure Little Nightmares II is going to be another game you can claim free with the sub. Additionally, Pikuniku, the colourful and quirky platformer is now live to buy in the Stadia store.

Now Stadia also has another free to play game, as Crayta now has a Starter Edition available for everyone. Allowing anyone to jump in to create and play games, plus it has expanded with the Stadia Crowd Play Beta feature which allows people to jump right into the action if someone is streaming the game to YouTube:

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Crayta will also be heading to the Epic Store for the main Windows release, so no Linux desktop support - Stadia only. It will have cross-platform play and cross-progression so either way a nice boost in player numbers perhaps.

As for game updates PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle got a new addon that gives new themes, special items, new player icons and character accessories. Destiny 2 also continues to be updated for Stadia with the Season of the Chosen now live but no word yet on the cross-play for it.

Something that has been asked a lot in the Stadia community is for FIFA to come, probably the biggest Football game around. Well, it's now confirmed. FIFA 21 arrives on Stadia on March 17.

Another thing that could be a boost is that Chromebooks now come with Stadia "already installed". Google's wording is a bit odd, since the whole point is you don't install anything. Really, it means it has a dedicated button to go to the website. Small thing but it might help considering how many Chromebooks there are.

There's also quite a few games on sale you can see on Stadia.com.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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_J_30000 Feb 11, 2021
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no trying to be too negative, but I think this is going to be another google success....

... and no I am not bitter for having ended up buying a controller...

how much longer you going to give it 12 months?
Mohandevir Feb 11, 2021
QuoteCrayta will also be heading to the Epic Store for the main Windows release, so no Linux desktop support - Stadia only.

slaapliedje Feb 11, 2021
Yeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.
Liam Dawe Feb 11, 2021
Quoting: slaapliedjeYeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.
It never was supposed to do anything. It's just another tool in the shed, to play games on Linux.

The only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it. Stadia being supported on Linux is better than not.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 11 February 2021 at 4:49 pm UTC
Mohandevir Feb 11, 2021
Can't say that I'm surprised either, but Epic exclusivity and no Steam...

Even if it would have been Windows only, it would have been fun if Google had considered an unnofficial Linux build (Stadia) on Steam...

This said, Stadia will make more developers know how to program on Linux. It's not a direct benefit, but it's not a total nothing.

Edit: Just realised... Is Google responisble for that decision or is it on the publisher's side (Unit 2 Games Ltd)?


Last edited by Mohandevir on 11 February 2021 at 5:59 pm UTC
Linuxwarper Feb 11, 2021
Chromebooks being paired with Stadia is worrying. Gaming on Linux has slow but tangible growth. Latest Proton RC made Nioh 2 playable! Don't forget Cyberpunk 2077 and Death Stranding is also! That's three major games that potential switchers to Linux can be reassured will be playable! I hope I am entirely wrong but I'm concerned that Google with Chromebooks could steal what should be given to FOSS desktop OSes and establish ChromeOS as the Linux OS for gaming. Why switch to Solus, Ubuntu, Arch or any other OS when you can use ChromeOS and get both Proton (I bet it will come) and Stadia with support from a behemoth like Google. Especially with them doing crap like this, really Epic? No GOG or Steam?

Quoting: Liam DaweThe only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it.
For that to happen there needs to be a catalyst. That catalyst, gaming on Linux reaching greater state leading to market share increase, will take more time to happen, if at all, with game developers not supporting the platform (whether with WINE or native release). Steam machines is a proof of that, when the future seemed bright many companies invested or showed interest to. But they will never invest again if market share stays the same it.

Google doesn't need to do anything for Linux. But I'd say hardware support would come sooner for Linux if Google contributed with releasing their games natively and encouraging third party developers. Any small contribution will add to Linux ecosystem and draw the platform closer to hardware being sold with it. But they don't want that, FOSS desktops (like System76 laptops), they want ChromeOS laptops being sold.


Last edited by Linuxwarper on 11 February 2021 at 6:26 pm UTC
slaapliedje Feb 11, 2021
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: slaapliedjeYeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.
It never was supposed to do anything. It's just another tool in the shed, to play games on Linux.

The only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it. Stadia being supported on Linux is better than not.
But the hardware is already here. Seems to me someone pointed out that Metro Exodus was just using dxvk on Stadia? So where they basically just wrapping it and not running natively?

Has there been any games yet released for Stadia that will now run on Desktop Linux?

Now if we get Ato on Linux at least we can say the AtariVCS will have helped Linux gaming, as it now has a port of that game, but I only see it listed for Windows in Steam.

Sure, maybe some future titles from the studios releasing games for Stadia will come out for Desktop Linux, but until then, I will stand by that Google isn't doing us any favors here.
Liam Dawe Feb 11, 2021
Hardware is absolutely not here. Steam Machines were the only thing that came close, and they spectacularly failed. VCS does not count, as it's using a special brand and not normal Linux like SteamOS was.

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.
dubigrasu Feb 11, 2021
I noticed that Re-Logic's YouTube account seems to be reinstated. I'm not entirely sure, but I see its logo no longer grayed and crossed.
slaapliedje Feb 12, 2021
Quoting: Liam DaweHardware is absolutely not here. Steam Machines were the only thing that came close, and they spectacularly failed. VCS does not count, as it's using a special brand and not normal Linux like SteamOS was.

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.
Ah, you're talking the difference between something you pluck off the shelf and can play on Linux with Steam/Lutris, vs I buy/build a box and put Linux on it and play.

Or would you consider System79 selling laptops/desktop systems with Linux pre-installed with Pop_OS good enough? The hardware is certainly here in that regard. Can you buy a system sitting next to the Playstation and Xbox? Nah. The VCS is going to be as close as we're going to get for a long time, unless Valve makes a second attempt at a Steam Machine, and for them to do it RIGHT is it will HAVE to come from Valve, not have multiple versions of it, and be a nice machine.

I think they should just make a deal with Atari and get Steam within the AtariOS and get more controller support added to the system. Hell, if the PC-Mode app would work correctly, and we could get a new SteamOS sold on a m.2 SSD or a pre-installed model option, it'd work well enough. Would just need another icon in Steam. A little Fuji on the supported systems, with any game that the system actually matches minimum requirements on.

So yeah while it's perfectly possible to build a system, or buy a system and properly do Linux gaming on it like I've done for many years, we don't have a settop box with Steam BPM (or RetroArch/Emulation Station) that you can buy just straight off the bat... oh actually there are some..

https://www.amazon.com/Fightstick-Trackball-Controller-Raspberry-Preloaded/dp/B08MFG7J1K

This has a Raspberry Pi loaded up with Linux and some Atari games. I didn't get this version as I already have several RPis and just wanted the arcade stick. But even the reviews on Youtube show that it's not an out of the box experience and you have to configure the stick for the emulators. Missed opportunity for a nice Turnkey solution.

I am just hoping somehow the AtariVCS will get some <-> Linux ports (meaning some that are on Steam for Linux will be released there, and some, like Ato will get a linux release as it's now already ported to the Atari VCS.)
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