Google Stadia games free
Start your engines: Grid is free to Stadia Pro subscribers
Gaming

Are Google Stadia games free?

That very much depends on your definition of the word “free”. There are some Google Stadia games that are free – but only if you’re a paid-up Google Stadia Pro subscriber.

Google Stadia – for those who don’t know – is Google’s new games-streaming service, where you can play games over the internet via the Chrome browser on pretty much any computer, selected smartphones or a Chromecast device connected to your television.

It launched in November 2019, and players who bought the Founders Edition were given three months of Stadia Pro as part of the package.

Now, however, everyone must pay £8.99 per month if they want to remain a Stadia Pro subscriber – and one of the sweeteners for this monthly fee is that you get two or three free games every month.

Which games are free on Google Stadia?

If you have been a Google Stadia Pro subscriber since the beginning, you should have the following games in your library by now:

  • Grid
  • SteamWorld Dig 2
  • SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech
  • Metro Exodus
  • Thumper
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
  • Farming Simulator 19
  • Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
  • Samurai Showdown
  • Desitny 2

Note that Pro subscribers have to claim the free games during each month (note you don’t get them automatically, but Google couldn’t have made it much easier: it really is just clicking a “claim” button). If you sign up today as a Stadia Pro subscriber, you won’t get access to all the free games offered previously.

You also have to keep your Stadia Pro subscription active to access any games that you’ve been granted for free. Games that you’ve paid for will still be in your library if you drop down to Stadia’s free tier – which at the time of writing is only available to lapsed Pro subscribers.

NOW READ THIS: How do you make the mouse work in Google Stadia?

About the author

Barry Collins

Barry has scribbled about tech for almost 20 years for The Sunday Times, PC Pro, WebUser, Which? and many others. He was once Deputy Editor of Mail Online and remains in therapy to this day. Email Barry at barry@bigtechquestion.com.

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