Microsoft still uses AA batteries in its Xbox controllers, and according to a very strange interview with a Duracell spokesperson, the battery maker may have something to do with why.

Take this with a grain of salt; Luke Anderson, Duracell's UK marketing manager, told Stealth Optional, "Duracell and Xbox have always had this partnership ...... It's an agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have always had."

"[The agreement is] for the OEM to supply the battery products for the Xbox console and also the controller batteries. So that [agreement] will be going on for a while... It has been going on for a while and I think it needs to go on for [more] a while."

Duracell has long provided the batteries that come with the new Xbox console controllers and also regularly promotes the use of its batteries in Xbox controllers on Twitter. However, it seems odd that a partnership with a battery company would stop Microsoft from moving to the more widely used lithium-ion batteries, and it may be that Anderson was simply giving a misleading impression and that Duracell is simply supplying the batteries Microsoft wants.

Microsoft responded to an inquiry by MCV/Develop and quite annoyingly dodged the question. This includes the use of AA batteries of any brand, Xbox rechargeable batteries, charging solutions from partners, or USB-C cables.

Microsoft did not mention the agreement with Duracell, but seemed to state that the use of removable batteries was not a result of the agreement, but a free choice.

Controllers may not be the peripheral of choice for many PC gamers, but they are becoming increasingly common to have as part of a gaming setup; they can provide a more comfortable and relaxing experience when precise aiming is not required, as in FPS The game is more comfortable and relaxing when you don't need to aim as precisely as in FPS. We have compiled a list of the best PC controllers for when a mouse or keyboard just isn't enough.

Update: This article has been expanded to clarify Duracell's statement.