When Microsoft first revealed the design of the “new” Xbox Series X | S controller, it also said it will still run on LR6 batteries. A choice often criticized by some players and in particular the opposing camps, those of PlayStation and Nintendo, who do not hesitate to question the absence of rechargeable battery in the Xbox controllers and this for many years. In its defense, Microsoft has always taken the card out of the game without constraint, that is to say to leave the possibility to the player to have the choice, either to opt for batteries, or to buy an additional rechargeable battery. . But is this really the only reason? Nothing is less sure…
In fact, there is a partnership between Microsoft and Duracell who have signed an agreement that in each Xbox controller sold, two LR6 batteries of the inexhaustible pink rabbit brand are supplied with it. A truth that has just come to light following a revelation from the Stealth Optional site, who was able to speak to Luke Anderson, marketing manager of Duracell in the United Kingdom.
There has always been this partnership between Duracell and Xbox … It is a long-term agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have put in place.
The deal for the OEM is to supply batteries for the Xbox consoles as well as for the controllers. So this deal is going to last for a while … It’s been going on for a while now and I think the contract is here for a very long time …
By surreptitiously placing Duracell batteries in every Xbox controller bundle sold, we obviously hope that once the batteries are used up, the consumer will buy the same brand again, knowing that Duracell brand batteries have a reputation for lasting durability. longer life than other brands. Faced with these statements, Microsoft wanted to defend itself and it is through from the MCV newspaper that the Redmond firm took the floor …
We intentionally give consumers the choice of how to operate our Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries of any brand, the Xbox rechargeable battery, our partner’s charging solutions or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged into the console or PC. .
If Microsoft denies imposing the Duracell brand on Xbox players, it does not at any time deny the long-standing deal that seems to exist between the two companies. It remains to be seen how many more years Xbox players will have to pay to have a rechargeable battery in their controller …
