In a significant shift for mobile gaming, a recent court ruling has compelled Google to modify its approach to the Play Store, paving the way for increased competition. As a result, Xbox owners in the United States can look forward to a new feature: the ability to purchase and play games directly through the Android Xbox app starting next month.
Android Xbox app in the US will soon start selling games
Earlier this week, a US court determined that Google has been operating a monopoly with its Play Store, leading to an order that mandates the company to open its platform to competitors for a period of three years. This ruling allows third-party app stores to be distributed on the platform, marking a pivotal change in the mobile app landscape. Additionally, Google has been instructed to cease enforcing its Google Play Billing requirement on apps available in the Play Store, a decision made after a jury deemed this practice illegal.
In light of this ruling, Xbox president Sarah Bond took to social media to share exciting news for Xbox enthusiasts. She stated, “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.”
This development raises intriguing questions about Microsoft’s broader plans for mobile gaming. There is speculation that the long-anticipated feature allowing users to stream their owned non-Game Pass games via Xbox Cloud Gaming might finally be on the horizon. Back in February, Xbox head Phil Spencer hinted that this feature was expected to launch within the year, and the timing could align perfectly with the upcoming changes.
In a related move, Microsoft recently announced the discontinuation of the Xbox Game Pass app on mobile devices, opting to integrate the service into the Xbox app instead. This transition will begin with updates rolling out to Xbox beta members on mobile. Starting next month, the Xbox Game Pass app will no longer be available for download, signaling a shift towards consolidating services within the main Xbox app.
With the introduction of an Xbox store within the primary mobile app and the integration of Game Pass, it appears that the Xbox app is poised to become a comprehensive hub for gaming enthusiasts. Furthermore, Microsoft is reportedly developing its own Xbox mobile store, which, despite initial plans for a July launch, is now anticipated to arrive “soon.” This evolution in Microsoft’s mobile strategy promises to enhance the gaming experience for users, offering a more streamlined and accessible platform for Xbox titles.
