Microsoft agreed to several major changes to appease regulators in its effort to win approval for the blockbuster $75.4 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard, including adjustments to its cloud gaming plans. Now, more than a year later, we’re learning even more about it, including a new claim from the New York Times that Microsoft has canceled plans for a new Xbox controller “dedicated to cloud gaming.”
A Microsoft spokesperson denied that the controller concept was abandoned due to the regulatory process. Separately, sources told Windows Central that “rumors that Microsoft has canceled upcoming Xbox Cloud Gaming controllers are false.”
Microsoft has never officially announced or revealed a controller for cloud gaming, but an image of one leaked this year, sparking raised eyebrows for its… unique design.
Microsoft has struck deals with various companies, including Ubisoft, Nware, EE, Boosteroid, Ubitus and Nvidia, to help alleviate concerns from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that Microsoft may be giving preferential treatment to its own cloud gaming networks.
Former Xbox CEO Phil Spencer, who led Xbox through the sales process, said such deals freed up one of the CMA’s concerns and helped bring more games to more people.
Cloud gaming service Xbox has shown some early signs of growth, but the program recently suffered a setback when Microsoft announced it would soon impose limits on users’ use of the service and then charge them more to continue playing. Additionally, Windows Central recently discovered that the cloud gaming app dedicated to older Samsung TVs will soon disappear due to a compatibility issue. The site later reported that support for older Samsung TVs was due to “the lack of updates these TVs are receiving” as Samsung focuses on its newer units.
Additionally, sources told Windows Central “there are absolutely no plans to slow down on Xbox Cloud Gaming” in general.
Access to cloud gaming is one of the benefits of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, allowing users to stream their games. Later this year, people will be able to purchase game time for cloud gaming on Xbox without a Game Pass subscription.
One of the appeals of cloud gaming, at least in theory, is that it doesn’t require expensive local hardware like an Xbox or PC, both of which are more expensive than ever due to AI-powered demand for memory and components. People need a consistent and fast internet connection for the best experience.
In other Xbox news, CEO Asha Sharma recently stressed that Xbox is “not for sale,” following rumors and reports that Microsoft could dump the struggling company.
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