Slow broadband is set to prevent many gamers from taking full advantage of the new Google Stadia game streaming service, according to new research by Broadband Genie in collaboration with Eurogamer.

In a survey of more than 3,000 gamers, 83% of respondents expressed some level of interest in Google Stadia. However almost a quarter (22%) are currently using ADSL or mobile connections that will only support lower quality visuals and may struggle to reach the minimum bandwidth requirements for the service[1].

As a result these gamers most likely won’t be able to fully enjoy Google Stadia unless they upgrade their broadband. But even if they move to fibre, the performance could still pale in comparison to playing on a traditional games console.

Google Stadia streams games over the internet and requires a fast connection to deliver latency and visual quality similar to home gaming hardware. For 4K gaming, Google says broadband speeds of 35Mbps will be required, and for 1080p it will need a download speed around 25Mbps[2]. This means that to provide an experience approximating a dedicated home console or PC, gamers will need at least an entry-level fibre optic broadband connection. However, of the survey respondents who carried out a speed test on their home connection almost a third (29%) failed to reach the 35Mbps required for 4K gaming, and 17% reported speeds under 20Mbps.

Of those who said they were not interested in Stadia, 34% cited their broadband speed as the reason. Even among those who are interested, 26% think their broadband will be too slow, and 71% are concerned that performance and visual quality will be compromised.

Wesley Yin-Poole, Deputy Editor of Eurogamer, said:

“Advertised broadband speeds are one thing, but the reality for many people is a slower internet. If Google really wants Stadia to take off as a mainstream global platform for millions to play video games on, it’ll have to be mindful of the millions whose internet may struggle to provide a console-quality experience.”

Alex Tofts, Broadband Expert at Broadband Genie, said:

“Google’s move into the gaming market is good news for anyone struggling with the initial high cost of entry for the latest games. However, in order to enjoy games with a similar performance to a home console it seems likely that fibre optic broadband will be a requirement, otherwise players are better off with dedicated gaming hardware where performance isn’t wholly reliant on broadband.”

This is an official press release supplied by Broadband Genie.