Microsoft will begin selling games directly through its Xbox app on Android in November.
Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, announced the news on X (Twitter) in response to this week’s court ruling that Google must open up the Play Store to rival third-party stores for three years. While Bond didn’t confirm any details beyond the November rollout, she said the ruling will “allow more choice and flexibility” and reiterated Xbox’s intention to “allow more players to play on more devices.”
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
It’s currently unclear if this is related to Xbox’s planned mobile store, which it has been developing following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. The Xbox mobile storefront was supposed to launch in the summer, but that never ended up happening. Presumably, the dedicated Xbox mobile store will be a separate offering entirely to what Bond has just announced.
So far, Xbox has said this app will first offer games from Xbox’s first-party portfolio, including Minecraft and Candy Crush, followed by third-party titles. It remains to be seen what games, exactly, will be included.
In the meantime, Xbox recently consolidated its mobile offerings to combine its main and Xbox Game Pass apps into one app.
Source: Sarah Bond
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