BT announced earlier this month that it’s become the first European distribution partner for Stadia, Google’s new cloud gaming platform.
The partnership will see BT and Google deliver cloud gaming to UK consumers and build awareness of it.
Stadia is a cloud-based platform that launched late last year which lets customers play video games on almost any device via streaming tech, for example a TV, laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile phone.
The partnership between BT and Google will utilise BT’s Superfast Broadband 2 service, and it will see BT run an advertising campaign across print, TV and digital.
BT is also launching a Google Stadia offer to celebrate the new partnership. Customers taking out either BT’s Superfast Fibre 2, Ultrafast Fibre 100 or Ultrafast Fibre 250 (which starts from £39.99 per month) can choose to receive a free Google Stadia Premiere Edition.
This includes a Stadia controller, Chromecast Ultra and three months access to Stadia Pro, which offers the ability to play in up to 4K/60FPS with HDR and 5.1 surround sound.
The offer runs until January 30th. Then from February 7th, BT will offer a range of Superfast Stadia gaming plans with Superfast fibre 2, Ultrafast Fibre 100 or Ultrafast Fibre 250, which will come with a free Stadia Premiere Edition when they sign-up.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said: “We continually look to provide our customers with the most exciting products and experiences, and by partnering with Google on Stadia, we’re able to help them push the limits of gaming.
“We’re also investing in the UK’s fastest 4G, 5G and fibre networks, so our superfast home broadband service is the perfect accompaniment for those wanting to make the most from this innovative streaming gaming platform.”
The move follows another announcement made earlier in the month that BT had signed a new multi-year contract with UK-based esports team Excel Esports.
The deal sees BT become Excel’s exclusive lead partner, with a prominent BT logo added to Excel’s jersey for 2020. The UKLC team has been renamed to BT Excel and the company will provide tech to Excel to help them train and perform.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
