Microsoft Has Added Touch Controls To Xbox Apps For iOS And Android Devices

(CTN News) – Microsoft intends to enhance the Xbox experience on mobile devices by adding touch controls to its apps for iOS and Android, according to a report by The Verge.

The touch controls are currently being tested in beta and will allow Xbox users to manage their consoles remotely and play games on smartphones and tablets without using a Bluetooth controller.

An on-screen overlay facilitates remote navigation through the Xbox user interface when using these touch controls,

Which mirror those available on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service.

A physical controller is no longer necessary since users can open games and stream directly from their consoles.

Although dedicated controllers offer a superior gaming experience, the report states that touch controls are quite effective, especially for those who previously used Bluetooth controllers for remote play.

According to Microsoft, 20 percent of Xbox Cloud Gaming players use touch controls exclusively. With titles such as Hades, Minecraft Dungeons, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the company has actively integrated custom Xbox touch controls into numerous games.

Additionally, Microsoft has announced the termination of approximately 1900 positions within its Xbox and Blizzard gaming divisions. As a result, Microsoft Gaming has reduced its workforce by approximately 8%, currently totaling about 22,000 employees.

During an internal memo, Matt Booty, Microsoft’s director of game content and studios, confirmed these workforce reductions and announced the departure of Blizzard’s chief design officer, Allen Adham. In shaping Blizzard’s games, Adham played a pivotal role as a cofounder.

As a mentor to young designers in the industry, Booty expressed confidence that Adham’s influence would endure.

As part of the restructuring, Microsoft announced the cancellation of a previously announced survival game from Blizzard. Despite the setback, Booty stated that the talent from this project would be redirected to promising new projects within Blizzard.

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