What you need to know
In a notable shift for mobile gaming on Windows, several popular titles are now accessible to Windows Insiders in China. Among the games making their debut are PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and REDnote. This development comes as a result of a collaboration between Microsoft and Tencent, aimed at enhancing the gaming experience for users within this specific region.
However, this opportunity is limited to Insiders located in China, leaving many outside this demographic without access to these mobile games. This news arrives on the heels of Microsoft’s earlier announcement regarding the impending discontinuation of the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11, which is set to be phased out by March 5, 2025. The decision to end WSA has raised eyebrows, particularly among those who have enjoyed the integration of Android apps and games on their PCs.
Giorgio Sardo, Microsoft’s General Manager of Apps, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Tencent, stating, “Windows Insiders in China can now head to the Microsoft Store and enjoy top mobile apps and games thanks to the integration with Tencent MyApp, a leading mobile marketplace.” This initiative not only provides a fresh array of gaming options but also opens avenues for mobile developers in China to broaden their audience and engagement on the Windows platform.
The announcement regarding the end of WSA came as a surprise to many. Although the integration of Android apps on Windows 11 never gained significant traction, the abrupt nature of the decision left users pondering the future of mobile gaming on their PCs. Microsoft has provided a year’s notice before the official discontinuation, with the Amazon Appstore also announcing its exit just a day after Microsoft’s revelation.
Insights from Andrew Clinick, a long-time Microsoft veteran, shed light on the rationale behind this decision. He noted that the lack of profitability from WSA played a crucial role in its demise. “Store revenue pays the bills and salaries of the WSA team,” Clinick explained, emphasizing that without a viable monetization strategy, WSA was unable to sustain itself within the broader ecosystem of Windows.
While WSA did include the Amazon Appstore, its offerings paled in comparison to the Google Play Store. Clinick remarked that the absence of Google Play services severely limited the functionality of many Android apps on Windows 11, creating a cumbersome experience for users who attempted to sideload applications. Ultimately, the lack of a clear path to profitability led to WSA’s fate.
As Microsoft forges ahead with its partnership with Tencent, the potential for similar collaborations in other markets remains an open question. The gaming community will be watching closely to see if this venture expands beyond China, potentially reshaping the landscape of mobile gaming on Windows in the future.
