You may have read reports that suggested that Microsoft is forced to use AA batteries in Xbox controllers due to a long-standing contract with Duracell.
Eurogamer understands that this is not necessary.
The story was sparked by Duracell UK marketing manager Luke Anderson, who said the following in an interview with the Gfinity Stealth Optional blog:
“There has always been this partnership with Duracell and the Xbox … it is a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have.
“[The deal is] for the OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the battery for the controllers. So [deal is] will continue for a while … it’s been going on for a while and I think it needs to last a little bit [more]. “
It is true that Xbox uses Duracell batteries in its controllers and that the two brands appeared together in Duracell’s marketing materials.
But today’s reports suggested that Microsoft’s hand was being forced to require its controllers to use batteries instead of integrated rechargeable packs simply because of this partnership. This is not the case.
Identify the person you love deeply, trust completely and play @Xbox games with constantly. #XboxElite pic.twitter.com/zcYbI2haYQ
– Duracell (@Duracell) November 9, 2018
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In an interview by Digital Foundry last year with Microsoft veteran Jason Ronald, partner director of Xbox program management, the company discussed its decision to use AA batteries again on its Xbox Series S / X controller while its competitors use rechargeable batteries as standard.
“What happens is that, when we actually talk to the players, it’s kind of polarizing and there’s a strong field that really wants AAs,” said Ronald. “So just giving flexibility is the way to please both [sets of] people … You can use a rechargeable battery and it works just like the Elite, [but] it is a separate thing. ”
Simply put – there is still a large group of Xbox owners who prefer to use batteries, and it was this thought that motivated Microsoft’s decision. Batteries, while short-lived, can also be replaced more easily than an internal energy cell, which over time weakens and dies.
Today, Microsoft issued a statement saying similarly – that its decision to use batteries was a customer choice.
“We intentionally offer consumers the choice in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless controllers,” a Microsoft spokesman told Eurogamer. “This includes using AA batteries of any brand, the Xbox rechargeable battery, charging solutions from our partners or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when connected to the console or PC.”
Note the mention of “any brand” there. Despite its always energetic rabbit mascot, I hope this Duracell report has come to an end.