Google Stadia is setting up to be one of the biggest shifts in how people access video games in a long time, but it won’t be without its unique issues. Lag is of course the biggest question mark, given the likelihood of Stadia’s 4K streaming clashing with users' data caps. But it doesn’t stop there, unfortunately, as Google has just confirmed that Stadia’s seemingly wireless controller won’t be as wireless as many thought, at least at first.

When Google Stadia releases next month, there will only be one way to use the controller wirelessly. A new explainer video has been released, and amid the general hyping of Google Stadia’s features, a small-print disclaimer confirmed that “at launch, wireless play is only available on TV using a Chromecast Ultra."

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In the wake of that little discovery, Google has been out explaining this decision. On Reddit, a community manager confirmed that, outside of a TV, users will be able to connect the Google Stadia controller to other devices using a USB-C cable, “depending on the game and setup.” Elsewhere, Google told The Verge that it wants to make sure the wireless feature works properly on TV (since gaming on TV is what Stadia’s users will most likely be accustomed to) before adding it to things like tablets and smartphones.

Google’s treading into new territory here, so it’s understandable that it would want to make sure things work right before going on all in. However, it’s worth noting that the controller’s wireless capabilities have been one of Stadia’s biggest selling points. Rather than connecting to whatever device is streaming a game, the controller will connect directly to the Stadia servers, meaning users won’t have to constantly resync the controller every time they move their game from one device to another.

This seamless ability to play the same game across multiple devices is one of the ways Stadia stands out from the traditional PC/console model of playing games, and the fact that it won’t be readily available at launch is definitely a point against Google. Of course, this will only be temporary, but for how long? Google has yet to say.

Google Stadia will be out on November 19 for those who purchased the Founder’s Edition. The platform will be available for everyone else at some point in early 2020.

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Source: Reddit (Via: The Verge)