Google Stadia experiments with gaming over 4G and 5G – CNET [CNET]

Google Stadia’s latest feature will make it easier to play video games while you’re not at home. An experimental feature announced Tuesday will let users enable gameplay over 4G or 5G signals. Stadia previously required Wi-Fi. 

The online gaming platform streams a variety of games to compatible devices such as an Android phones. Google runs the game on its own platform, so hardware requirements for the consumer stay minimal, but you still need a good connection and likely plenty of data to be able to play games. Stadia isn’t limited to mobile focused games — you can play AAA titles usually reserved for high end PCs or consoles like the PlayStation 4.

To enable the feature, you need to opt in through the Stadia app on your phone. Click on your avatar in the top right corner to access a settings menu, then select Experiments and finally Use Mobile Data. Google detailed the process in the blog post announcing the feature. 

You can play Stadia on your TV as well with compatible streamers like Chromecast. Google’s gaming platform lets you purchase games individually or pay for a subscription for unlimited access to a variety of titles in the catalogue. 

Google has also been working to fill out that catalogue over the course of the summer. With a new generation of consoles including the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X on the horizon, Stadia could be a good alternative to spending big on new hardware. If mobile gaming doesn’t monopolize too much data, it could also add flexibility to gaming that consoles can’t.