Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaks at the Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany on August 23, 2023.
Franziska Krug | German Select | Getty Images
microsoft The company announced Thursday that starting in November, users will be able to purchase and play video games through the Xbox app for Android.
The move is a direct result of a US judge’s ruling on Monday: google must offer an alternative to the Google Play app store on Android devices.
In a jury trial, Google lost to Epic Games, which distributes the popular game Fortnite. Google said it would appeal and request a delay in implementing the decision.
“The court’s decision to open Google’s mobile store in the U.S. will give us more choice and flexibility,” Sara Bond, president of Microsoft’s Xbox games division, said in a post about X.
Microsoft will allow Android users to “purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android,” Bond wrote. The statement does not provide any information regarding third-party titles such as: electronic arts or take-two interactive.
Google did not immediately comment.
Under the new model, Microsoft will be able to offer titles to gamers on Android without having to hand over a portion of the revenue from in-app purchases to Google.
You can currently download games to your Xbox console through the Xbox app for Android, and those who pay for a Game Pass Ultimate subscription like Netflix can stream games from the cloud in a separate app.
The move shows that mobile remains a priority for Microsoft.
After a landmark antitrust case with the U.S. Department of Justice, Microsoft was slow to gain traction with mobile apps, unlike the owners of Google and Facebook. meta platform. At a court hearing last year regarding the then-planned acquisition of game publisher Activision Blizzard, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft’s gaming division, said that the key to making the Xbox business more relevant was its ability to serve mobile customers. said that it would be necessary. Three months later, in October 2023, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision for $75.4 billion.
Epic Games provides a store of Android apps that users download from private company websites. Some games in the store support in-app purchases.
Mr. Bond did not announce plans for a similar move by Microsoft. apple’s iOS device. In March, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that restricting distribution to the App Store gives the company monopoly power. Currently, users with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription can stream games through Apple and Google web browsers on their iPhone or iPad.
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