You May Have to Wait to Play Google Stadia, Even if You Pre-Ordered

Google Stadia. A service that elicits a variety of reactions depending on who you speak to. When typing the cloud-based gaming service into a Google search bar, there is a box below that reads “people also ask”. One of the top four questions is, “will Google Stadia work?”. A valid question. However it seems with recent news, the question should be, “when will I receive my Google Stadia?”.

The True Cost of a Pre-Order

For shelling out $129 customers can receive the Founders Edition on November 19th. This pre-order includes a limited edition Night Blue controller, a Founders Badge, Chromecast Ultra, claiming an early user name, three months of Stadia Pro (which you need to use the Stadia) and a Buddy Pass to give away. Currently, this has sold out in all fourteen countries where Google Stadia is offered. The solution is offering a new edition called, Premier Edition. It is the same price and comes with everything listed above except the controller is white, no Founders Badge, no early name claim, and no Buddy Pass.

Initially, everyone assumed the Premier Edition would be shipped on or around the pre-order date of November 19th. Meanwhile, the Founders Edition would arrive on the release date itself. With a recent report from Google, it’s unclear when either version will arrive on the doorsteps of customers.

Google Stadia Founders Edition May Not Be Enough

According to a recent report from Google, even if you purchased the Founders Edition, you’re not guaranteed to have it by launch time. They are shipping out their kits in the order they were received. Thus delivery dates will vary if you were someone who ordered in the last week of stock, as opposed to someone who ordered it months ago. In addition, if you are a Premier pre-order customer, your pre-order likely comes after the Founders Editions are fulfilled. How long will both sets of customers have to wait? Google says have no fear, Google Stadia Founders will likely receive their orders within two weeks of the launch date. While Premier owners as of now are still showing the arrival of November when making your order.

Google might be a bit new to how pre-orders work, but generally, people like their stuff to arrive day one. If you rather wait for the cloud streaming service and not shell out this kind of money, you can. This launch is a preliminary launch of sorts. Google Stadia will have a much wider launch come 2020. It will be playable on Chrome web browsers, Pixel phones, tablets, and laptops.

The only money you’ll need to shell out is for the Stadia Pro pass. In other words, if you are super patient, simply wait until next year to save yourself $129 and a pre-order date that isn’t guaranteed.