Microsoft has announced that it will launch an Xbox store within its Android mobile app in November. This will let users buy and play Xbox games directly on their mobile devices.
This only comes because of a recent court ruling in a lawsuit between Google and Epic Games that forces Google to open up the Play Store to competition. This also ended the requirement for developers to use their own Google Play billing system, meaning Microsoft could collect payments directly from users instead of going through Google. Microsoft is one of the major companies to take advantage of these changes. The company’s Xbox app will become a standalone platform for purchasing Xbox games on Android devices.
The Xbox app is already on iPhone and Android, but it’s mostly limited to social features, checking which games are available, browsing screenshots and recordings from consoles, and streaming games from an Xbox console on the local network. A functioning games store would be a new and helpful addition.
Sarah Bond, the President of Xbox at Microsoft said in a social media post, “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 ruling stems from a three-year legal battle involving accusations of Google’s Android app store being an illegal monopoly. The court’s decision allows developers more freedom and flexibility in how they distribute and sell their apps. Microsoft may not be the only company planning on allowing digital purchases through the new rules. However, Microsoft seems to be the most vocal next to Epic Games.
Source: Twitter/X via The Verge
