Google Stadia's controller is wireless, but only on TV at launch

Google Stadia Pro launches on November 19 for those who pre-purchased the Founder's Edition. But one element of that package won't be working quite as some may have assumed, at least not immediately.

Users on the Google Stadia subreddit picked up on some fine print from a Stadia trailer stating that the Google Stadia controllers will only be wireless with a Chromecast Ultra. The controllers will require attachment via USB-C cable on all other platforms at launch.

Speaking to The Verge, a Google Stadia spokesperson said that the reason for this was because Google wants to get wireless play "right" on TV first. That said, the statement does not explicitly confirm if wireless play will eventually come to other platforms with the Stadia Controller.

On the Reddit thread, a Google spokesperson additionally clarified that Stadia Controllers are required to play games through the Chromecast Ultra, but are not required for PC, laptop, or mobile.

A Chromecast Ultra, Stadia Controller, three months of Stadia Pro, and a buddy pass all come with the Google Stadia Founder's Edition, which is currently sold out. At the moment, the Founder's Edition (or the same-priced, buddy pass-less Premiere Edition) are the only way to access Stadia at launch, with a separate Pro subscription coming at an unspecified later date. Google Stadia Base, the free version of the service, launches in 2020.