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Microsoft is set to revolutionize mobile gaming by selling and streaming Xbox games directly through its Android app starting in November. The move follows a US court ruling against Google that mandates changes to its app store policies, a development that could reshape the mobile app landscape.
Announced by Xbox President Sarah Bond on social media, the update will bring new levels of "choice and flexibility" for Android users in the United States. Android gamers will be able to purchase and play Xbox titles directly within the Xbox app, bypassing Google Play's in-app purchasing system. The shift is seen as part of Microsoft's larger strategy to expand its gaming ecosystem on mobile platforms.
This decision stems from a US court ruling that declared Google’s control over the Android app store to be an illegal monopoly. The ruling forces Google to open its Android platform to third-party app stores and alternative payment methods, with these changes required to go into effect starting November 1. The court found that Google's dominance in the mobile app market stifled competition and limited consumer choices.
Under the ruling, Android users will soon have access to more options for downloading apps and purchasing digital content, a change that will benefit companies like Microsoft. Although Google has announced plans to appeal the decision, Microsoft is already moving forward, taking advantage of the new landscape to introduce its direct Xbox game sales and streaming capabilities.
The update to the Xbox Android app is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in mobile gaming. In recent years, the company has been investing heavily in its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which allows users to stream games to their devices without the need for a high-performance console or PC.
With the new update, users will be able to not only purchase games but also play them immediately via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This integration is expected to streamline the mobile gaming experience for Xbox users, unifying features that were previously spread across multiple apps.
Earlier this year, Microsoft had hinted at plans for a browser-based mobile store that would offer first-party mobile games from its studios. While that initiative has not yet launched, the new functionality within the Xbox Android app signals a clear shift toward direct engagement with mobile gamers. By incorporating game purchases and streaming into one app, Microsoft is positioning itself to compete with Google Play and other app stores.
The timing of this announcement coincides with Microsoft’s long-standing efforts to break into the mobile gaming market more aggressively. By leveraging the court ruling, Microsoft is able to provide gamers with more flexibility in how they access Xbox content on Android devices, potentially avoiding Google’s 30% commission on app sales and in-app purchases.
This strategic move not only strengthens Microsoft’s standing in the gaming industry but also serves as a model for other companies looking to capitalize on the court’s decision. As mobile gaming continues to grow in popularity, Microsoft’s integration of Xbox games with its Android app could significantly impact the mobile gaming ecosystem, offering players more freedom and options.
In the wake of this ruling, the competition between Google and third-party app developers is expected to intensify, and Microsoft's early response could give it a strong foothold in this evolving market.
