Microsoft has cut Windows Mixed Reality commission from its affiliate program, spurring doubt regarding the virtual reality and augmented reality platform’s future. Windows Mixed Reality was introduced back in 2015 with the HoloLens, and later followed up in 2016 with support for third-party VR headsets from the likes of Samsung, Dell, and HP. But change could be on the way.

Microsoft incentivises third-party sales of its products with its affiliate program, offering higher percentage commission, or monetary rewards, on products it wants to help out the door. Dropping commission on those means that they are either A: selling themselves, or B: dead. If you go through the updated commission structure Microsoft recently sent out to affiliate partners, it’s quite obvious which of its non-commission products fall into what category.

Minecraft: resolutely in group A. The game reportedly sold up to 154 million copies and counting last October. Xbox Game Pass: group A. It, too, has found success in increasing metrics across the board with gamers. Windows Phones: B. The less said about this the better (I could say quite a lot about how much I liked my Windows Phone actually – DJ). Windows OS: A. And Windows Mixed Reality… well, that’s definitely not in group A.