Microsoft’s Xbox Store Launch on Android Delayed
In October, a permanent court injunction mandated Google to allow third-party app stores on Android devices. Following this ruling, Microsoft announced its intention to introduce an Xbox store specifically designed for Android, enabling gamers to purchase and play Xbox titles directly through a dedicated app, bypassing the Google’s Play Store.
Initially, Xbox President Sarah Bond anticipated a November launch for the Xbox store. However, a recent update on the social media platform Bluesky revealed the reason for the delay. Bond cited a “temporary administrative stay”granted by the courts, which has halted the planned rollout of these new features.
This stay, issued by California Judge James Donato on October 19, stems from his prior ruling that deemed Google’s monopoly practices illegal, compelling the tech giant to open its platform to competitors.
In Bond’s detailed statement:
“At Xbox, we aim to provide players with more options regarding where and how they engage with our games. Our goal was to facilitate an initial launch of these features through the Google Play Store on Android devices in the U.S., amidst the current landscape of evolving app stores.”
“However, due to a temporary administrative stay recently granted by the courts, our ability to launch these enhancements as scheduled has been impeded. Our team is fully prepared to activate this functionality as soon as we receive a definitive ruling from the court.”
“We are excited to enrich the gaming experience by offering more choices and flexibility to our players.”
Contrarily, Google’s response suggests a different narrative regarding the launch delays. In a statement provided to The Verge, a company spokesperson indicated that Microsoft had “simply chosen not to”proceed with launching its games on Android. This would have necessitated compliance with Google Play’s 30% revenue sharing model.
The statement also raised concerns that Microsoft, along with Epic Games, was jeopardizing the safety and security of the Google Play ecosystem.
According to Google spokesperson Dan Jackson:
“Microsoft has always had the option to allow their Android users to purchase and play Xbox games directly. The court’s recent order, accompanied by a hurried implementation, poses risks to Google Play’s ability to ensure a secure user experience. Both Microsoft and Epic are overlooking genuine security concerns. Our focus remains on nurturing an inclusive ecosystem beneficial for all, rather than just two major gaming entities.”
Moreover, the Epic Games Store has recently made its debut on Android, albeit with a complicated installation process. Tim Sweeney, the founder and CEO of Epic Games, shared his perspective on Google’s comments via social media:
“Google’s statement is deceitful. Shame on them. They know that the 30% cut they impose is excessively high and exceeds the total profit margin for game streaming. This is evident given their substantial losses in the failed Stadia venture.”
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) November 28, 2024
As it stands, the timeline for Microsoft’s Xbox store launch on Android remains uncertain, with no revised launch date provided at this time.
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