Microsoft has built an Xbox game store on Android but can't launch it
Short summary:
Microsoft has built an Xbox game store on Android and is ready to launch it, but it can’t go live yet due to a court order. The company says the feature is "ready to go," but it’s waiting for legal issues to be resolved before launching.
Microsoft has developed the capability to sell Xbox games directly through its Android app, but a court order is delaying its launch. The order, part of a legal dispute over Google’s Play Store practices, requires changes to Google's app store policies to foster competition. However, Google’s appeal and a temporary administrative stay on the ruling have stalled these plans. Microsoft states that its functionality is ready and will go live as soon as the court permits, highlighting frustrations for both the company and gamers awaiting this feature.
Google counters that Microsoft has always been able to sell games through its app but chooses not to, framing the delay as a strategic decision rather than a legal necessity. Google also emphasizes concerns about app security and its commitment to maintaining a safe ecosystem for users, contrasting this with what it characterizes as Microsoft’s and Epic Games’ prioritization of corporate interests over broader user safety.
The delay underscores broader challenges in reshaping app store ecosystems and advancing competition. While Microsoft has positioned this move as part of a long-term strategy to expand its mobile gaming presence, its progress on complementary initiatives, like a browser-based mobile store, remains slow, leaving gamers and industry observers eager for more concrete updates.