Stadia Pro isn't Netflix for games, Google insists - it's more like Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Stadia Pro isn't Netflix for games, Google insists - it's more like Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus Crossing the streams. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 19 Jul 2019 160 comments Don't call Stadia Pro "Netflix for games", Google has insisted. Instead, it's more like Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus. In a reddit AMA, Andrey Doronichev, director of product for Stadia at Google responded to a question about the free game situation with the upcoming paid subscription streaming service, "as it is confusing due to mixed messages". "To be clear, Stadia Pro is not 'Netflix for Games' like some people have mentioned," Doronichev replied. "A closer comparison would be like Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus. The Pro subscribers get 4K/HDR streaming, 5.1 sound, exclusive discounts and access to some free games. Roughly one free game per month give or take. Starting with Destiny 2 (yay!)." You can see why some would be confused by Stadia's messaging. The Pro is a subscription service that costs £8.99-a-month (the same as the standard Netflix tariff in the UK), but you also have to pay for new games - full price, according to Stadia chief Phil Harrison - on top. And Stadia's website talks about the Pro sub "unlocking access to an ever-expanding library of games at no extra cost". That sounds a bit like Netflix, doesn't it? It turns out this "ever-expanding library of games at no extra cost" isn't a Netflix-style library of content at all. Instead, expect "roughly one free game per month give or take". This means no free games on Stadia Base, the free version of Stadia due out in 2020. "But hey," Doronichev continued. "Stadia Base gives you free access to the state-of-the-art gaming hardware in our datacenter ;) You spend your money to buy games you want." At least the "growing pool" of games is in fact a growing pool of games, not a single rotating free to play game per month. It's worth noting, however, that if you unsubscribe and then subscribe again in the future, while you regain access to the Pro games you claimed in the past while you were a subscriber, you don't get access to the games offered to Pro subscribers while you were unsubscribed. Watch on YouTube Stadia launches in just a few months but there remains a degree of scepticism from the gaming community about its potential impact. And of course there remains concern about what happens to games people have paid for if Google decides it's had enough of Stadia and shuts the whole thing down. Google insists it's in the video game streaming business for the long haul, and points to the liberating features of Stadia. You don't need to fork out for a console or a PC to play modern games with it, for example. There are no downloads, so there's no waiting for updates. And developers don't have to worry about packing their games onto a disc or a download. But perhaps Google's biggest challenge right now is in explaining who exactly Stadia is for, how the subscription works and why it's a good deal for gamers. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 5 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store