Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaks at the Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany, on August 23, 2023.
Franziska Krueger | Featured in Germany | Getty Images
Microsoft Starting in November, people will be able to buy and play video games through the Xbox app for Android, the company said Thursday.
This move is a direct consequence of the U.S. judge Ruling on Monday That Google An alternative to the Google Play app store must be provided on Android devices.
Google lost a jury trial to Epic Games, which publishes the hit “Fortress Heroes.” Google said it planned to appeal and ask for a delay in implementing the decision.
“The court’s ruling on opening the Google Mobile Store in the U.S. will bring more choice and flexibility,” Sarah Bond, president of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming business, wrote in a statement. postal on X.
Bond writes that Microsoft will allow Android users to purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android. This statement does not provide information regarding third party ownership rights, e.g. Electronic Arts or Two points of interaction.
Google had no immediate comment.
Under the new model, Microsoft will be able to offer games to Android gamers without giving Google a percentage of in-app purchase revenue.
Currently, people can download games to their Xbox console through the Xbox app for Android, while those who pay for a Netflix-like Game Pass Ultimate subscription can stream games from the cloud in a different app.
The move shows that action remains a priority for Microsoft.
Passed by a Landmark antitrust case Cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice, Microsoft has been slow to gain traction with mobile apps, unlike Google and Facebook owners meta platform. period court hearing Last year, Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer told a court hearing about plans to acquire game publisher Activision Blizzard that if the Xbox business was to become more important, it would need to move client. Three months later, in October 2023, Microsoft completely Acquired by Activision for $75.4 billion.
Epic Games provides an Android app store, and users can download the apps from the private company’s website. Some games in the store support in-app purchases.
Bond did not announce plans for similar action by Microsoft Apple’s iOS devices. In March this year, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit antitrust case Opposes Apple, saying restricting distribution in App Stores gives the company monopoly power. Currently, users who subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate can stream games through Apple and Google web browsers on iPhone or iPad.
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