Microsoft Faces Legal Hurdle in Launching Direct Game Purchases on Xbox App for Android
Microsoft’s plans to allow users to buy and play games directly via the Xbox app on Android have hit a roadblock due to a new legal issue, according to Xbox chief Sarah Bond.
Bond took to social media to explain that the delay is a result of “a temporary administrative stay recently granted by the courts”. Microsoft had previously announced that the functionality would be available before the end of the month.
“At Xbox, we want to offer players more choice on how and where they play, including being able to play and buy games directly from the Xbox app,” Bond stated. “Our team has the functionality built and ready to go live as soon as the court makes a final decision.”
The legal issue stems from Google’s appeal against changes to Android and its Google Play store following the Google vs Epic Games lawsuit. Epic Games successfully argued that Google operated an illegal monopoly, leading to a ruling that Google must allow third-party storefront apps in the US next year and enable users to pay via alternate means.
Google has expressed intentions to appeal the decision, citing concerns about user safety and security. Meanwhile, Microsoft is also developing its own web-based Xbox mobile game store, with testing already underway since August.
