Microsoft is poised to enhance the gaming experience for Android users by enabling direct purchases and gameplay of Xbox games through the Xbox App starting in November. This strategic move follows a significant ruling by a U.S. judge, which mandates Google to open its Play Store to competitors for the next three years. The ruling is a pivotal outcome of the ongoing legal tussle between Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, and Google.
Implications of the Ruling
The court’s decision compels Google to accommodate third-party Android app stores within its Play Store, granting them comprehensive access to its extensive catalog of applications. For Microsoft, this translates into an opportunity to sell Xbox games directly on Android devices and facilitate seamless streaming of these games immediately upon purchase, all without the necessity of utilizing Google Play Billing.
In a recent tweet, Xbox president Sarah Bond expressed enthusiasm about the ruling, stating, “The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility. Our mission is to allow more players to play on more devices, so we are thrilled to share that starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android.”
In a parallel development, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced plans for the Epic Games Store to debut on the Google Play Store in 2025, free from what he describes as “Google’s scare screens and Google’s 30% app tax,” a direct result of their legal victory over Google.
However, Google has indicated its intention to appeal the ruling, arguing in a blog post that the changes could jeopardize consumer privacy and security, complicate app promotion for developers, and ultimately diminish competition across devices. The tech giant is seeking a court order to delay the implementation of Epic’s proposed changes while the appeal is underway. Google asserts, “Ultimately, while these changes presumably satisfy Epic, they will cause a range of unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers, and device makers.”
In the backdrop of these developments, Microsoft is also laying the groundwork for a browser-based Xbox mobile store, aimed at competing with both the Google Play Store and the App Store. This initiative aligns with Microsoft’s recent billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which includes the popular Candy Crush franchise, reflecting its ambition to expand its mobile gaming portfolio ahead of the anticipated launch of its own store.
