Similar to other gaming consoles, Microsoft currently only has one store available for purchasing games and other content on its Xbox Series S and X hardware – its own store. However, it appears that the leader of Microsoft’s gaming division desires for this to be altered.
During a recent interview with Polygon, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer was questioned about the possibility of third-party digital game stores, specifically the Epic Games Store and Itch.io, being made available on Xbox consoles in the future. Spencer responded positively, stating:
[Consider] our history as the Windows company. Nobody would blink twice if I said, ‘Hey, when you’re using a PC, you get to decide the type of experience you have [by picking where to buy games]. There’s real value in that.
The proposal to allow other digital game stores on Xbox consoles is a strategic move to broaden the reach of Xbox hardware and services to a larger audience. In a previous interview with Polygon, Spencer emphasized the pressing concern of stagnant player growth in the game industry. By enabling the use of other stores on Xbox hardware, it may attract PC players who are accustomed to the flexibility of selecting their preferred sources for games and other content.
Valve’s Steam service continues to hold the title of the largest PC digital game store. Despite their efforts to expand with the Steam Deck portable gaming PC, it would come as a surprise to see the service become accessible on Xbox consoles. However, this is not out of the realm of possibility. The potential for other platforms, such as the Epic Games Store, GoG.com, and indie-focused Itch.io, to also become available on Microsoft’s consoles should not be ruled out.
Ultimately, it appears that Spencer is open to considering unconventional methods to increase the number of individuals engaging in gaming, purchasing Microsoft hardware, and utilizing gaming services. We will need to observe the approaches he chooses to employ in order to achieve this goal.
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