In a significant development for gaming enthusiasts, Xbox owners in the United States will soon have the ability to purchase and play games directly through the Xbox App on Android devices, starting this November. This shift comes in the wake of a pivotal legal decision involving Epic Games and Google, which has reignited discussions about app store monopolies.
Legal Landscape Shifts
Earlier this week, a US judge ruled that Google operates a monopoly through its smartphone app store, mandating that third-party storefront applications must now be accessible via the Google Play Store. This landmark ruling has created new opportunities for Microsoft, allowing gamers to buy Xbox titles on their Android devices and stream them instantly using Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Sarah Bond, the president of Xbox, expressed her enthusiasm on social media, 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.”
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…— BondSarahBond (@BondSarah_Bond) October 10, 2024
In response to the court’s decision, Google has announced plans to contest the ruling and is seeking a pause on the mandated changes, citing the need to maintain a consistent and safe experience for both users and developers. Google argues that it competes with Apple, thus challenging the notion of a monopoly. Lee-Anne Mulholland, a spokesperson for Google, remarked, “The Epic verdict missed the obvious. Apple and Android clearly compete.”
Meanwhile, Microsoft is also advancing its own initiatives, working on a web-based Xbox mobile game store that was initially slated for a summer launch. While testing has commenced, the timeline for its official release remains uncertain, particularly in light of the recent ruling and its potential implications on Microsoft’s plans.
