Get ready for a new era in mobile gaming! The Xbox mobile store is on its way, and it’s all thanks to the landmark Epic Games v Google antitrust case. In a historic ruling, a federal judge has ordered Google to open up the Play Store, allowing competing app stores to operate within its massive marketplace. This means that apps like the Xbox app and the Epic Games Store can not only be listed on the Google Play Store but can also sell games directly to consumers.
Xbox President Sarah Bond has confirmed that the Xbox app will be transformed into a full-fledged mobile store starting in November. “The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility,” Bond wrote on Twitter. “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 announcement arrives at a crucial time for Xbox and Microsoft. The company acquired Activision Blizzard King in July 2023 for a staggering $70 billion, with the acquisition closing shortly after a separate antitrust trial (FTC v Microsoft) concluded in Microsoft’s favor. A key driving force behind this massive acquisition was the mobile gaming market, as Activision had begun generating more revenue from mobile games than from consoles and PCs combined during certain periods.
With mobile hits like Call of Duty Mobile, Candy Crush, and Diablo Immortal under its wing, Xbox can now merge these Activision titles with its own (relatively limited) mobile offerings, such as Minecraft. Microsoft had previously outlined plans to build a dedicated Xbox mobile store, but now that Google is opening its platform, those plans may be streamlined. Instead of creating a separate app, Microsoft could simply integrate a mobile gaming section directly into the existing Xbox app on Android, providing a seamless experience for players. This move marks a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape and promises to bring more choice and flexibility to players around the world.
