New Xbox cloud and Elite controllers leaked as Microsoft teases cloud-native games, tests free streaming

Two new Xbox controllers have leaked--a small, portable cloud controller and the next-gen premium Elite 3, which looks to be a descendant of Microsoft's Sebile prototype controller accidentally revealed during the FTC trial.

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Microsoft is continuing its cloud gaming efforts at Xbox with two new accessories that will enable direct-to-cloud game streaming. Similar to Amazon's Luna and Google's Stadia controllers, Xbox's new peripheral duo have two modes: local mode and cloud mode. Both of these require pairing and cloud mode will essentially optimize the controller to ensure smoother latency.

According to Technoblog's findings, the smaller, cheaper device is more of a paddle and is more designed for on-the-go play. It's about 5-inches in length and looks like it fits into a pocket.

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The other device is the enthusiast-grade Xbox Elite 3, which is more heavy-duty and made for more demanding gaming sessions.

It features a new scroll wheel on the bottom, which could be related to some kind of quick volume control, as well as the back paddles and improved D-pad of previous designs.

Microsoft has yet to announce these new cloud devices, but they will undoubtedly be part of Xbox's big new reimagining.

The group has taken the opportunity to use Xbox's 25th anniversary as a transition point--a changing of the guard, both literally and figuratively--and Xbox's new CEO, Asha Sharma, has said repeatedly that cloud will be a major focus for Microsoft moving forward.

Microsoft is currently testing a free ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Microsoft recently teamed up with Discord to offer 10 hours of free cloud game streaming for Discord Nitro members.

Xbox's CEO also said that there will be more cloud-native games, and we've speculated for years now that Hideo Kojima's new horror game, a title called OD, could be a cloud-first title.

Hideo Kojima recently visited Xbox HQ in Redmond, and was seen holding a mysterious box. We further speculated that this box may have held one of these controllers, given to Kojima presumably because of OD being a cloud-native title.