What you need to know
- A wide-ranging U.S. court ruling and other factors will force Google to stop requiring app developers to use Google Play Billing for Android mobile payments.
- Microsoft is one of the first developers to offer new services to Android and the Google Play Store now that they’re open.
- Starting next November, you’ll be able to buy and play Xbox games on Android.
Android gamers can now play console-quality games on their flagship smartphones with the introduction of Xbox Cloud Gaming and the Xbox Game Pass app. But thanks to a recent US court ruling that barred Google from forcing developers to claim Google Play, Microsoft is introducing a new way to buy and play games on Android. Starting next month, you’ll be able to buy Xbox games and stream them from the cloud on your Android smartphone. All from the Xbox app.
The move follows a landmark ruling by federal judge James Donato that Google must open up its Android app ecosystem to competitors. The changes stipulate that Google must facilitate the existence of third-party app stores, app distribution, and the use of its own payment system. Google Play Billing, which was mandatory and forced developers into a revenue-sharing model with Google, is now optional.
It will boost the marketplace for other apps and games like those coming to the Xbox app. Xbox president Sarah Bond briefly shared the brand’s plans in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, October 10th.
A court ruling to open Google’s mobile store in the United States will give it more choice and flexibility. Our mission is to help more players play on more devices. That’s why we’re excited to announce that starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly…October 10, 2024
“The court’s decision to open Google’s mobile store in the United States gives us more choice and flexibility,” Bond said. “Our mission is to help more players play on more devices, which is why we’re excited to announce that starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android. I am happy to inform you that.”
Microsoft rivals like Steam and PlayStation have long offered mobile purchases. However, Google’s recent antitrust ruling appears to have opened the door for Microsoft to offer similar functionality in its Xbox app. However, it appears that the Google Play Store was the problem, as Microsoft already allows users to purchase games on the Xbox Game Pass app through the Samsung Galaxy Store.
It’s unclear if Microsoft intends to make any major changes to the Xbox mobile app, or if it will simply add mobile purchases to the currently available options. The company confirmed the existence of an Xbox mobile store in August and continues to develop a web-based store.
More options are becoming available to Android gamers following regulations and court decisions in both the US and EU. Microsoft says the U.S. injunction will go into effect on November 1st, and purchases will be available in the Xbox app sometime after that.
Meanwhile, game developer Epic has introduced the Epic Games Store to iOS and iPadOS in the EU after regulators forced Apple to open up its mobile platforms. Also available on Android via sideloading.
In theory, there’s nothing stopping Epic from officially launching the Epic Games store on the Google Play Store after these new rules go into effect. That is why the recent court decision is so important.
Android is open and Xbox is everywhere
The Xbox and Android ecosystems have been moving in that direction for a while, so it makes sense that they’re finally merging. While Google has been forced to open up Android due to regulations and court rulings, Microsoft has generally expanded its Xbox ecosystem on its own accord.
The company continues to acquire publishers, but Microsoft doesn’t seem interested in keeping titles exclusive to Xbox hardware. Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded, and Pentiment were the first four Microsoft games to relinquish Xbox exclusivity. Since then, Microsoft executives have endorsed other hardware, like when Phil Spencer talked about the emergence of a PC gaming handheld (and even hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld). I’ve been putting it off.
It’s hard not to view Microsoft’s move toward an open ecosystem future as a corporate failure, as Xbox lost this generation’s console wars to PlayStation on almost every measure. It’s also hard to deny the fact that this change will benefit consumers. Popular games from Microsoft Studios can now be played on more devices. Xbox Cloud Gaming expands your options even further.
Google, on the other hand, doesn’t seem all that interested in the idea of opening Android or the Google Play Store at this level. But it’s happening whether we like it or not. It took just a few days for consumers to benefit from the U.S. injunction against Google, so this initial settlement means regulators and courts will be tougher on Big Tech and its monopolistic practices. You may be able to approach the situation with a positive attitude.
