Spencer suggested that the Xbox store app might be released on mobile platforms sooner than expected.

Key Points or Notable Features

• Next year, Microsoft plans to launch the Xbox store on mobile platforms.
• The development of a mobile storefront by Microsoft is underway.
• Users will have the option to directly download mobile games from the Xbox store.

Microsoft is said to be in the process of creating an Xbox mobile storefront, offering users a direct avenue for game downloads without reliance on Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store. Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming chief, had previously disclosed plans to establish a proprietary app store for both iOS and Android. Currently, Xbox is reportedly engaging in discussions with partners to advance this initiative.

As per a Bloomberg report, Spencer mentioned the potential earlier release of the Xbox store app on mobile platforms. Emphasizing its significance in their strategy, he stated, “We are actively working on it, engaging with partners who desire increased options for monetization on mobile.” This insight was shared during an interview at the CCXP comics and entertainment convention in Sao Paulo.

The Xbox chief didn’t specify a launch date for the storefront but suggested it could happen in the near future, saying, “I don’t think this is multiple years away; I think it’s sooner than that.”

According to a March report, the Xbox mobile store was anticipated to launch by March 2024, contingent on the finalization of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The completion occurred in October after Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority, initially opposing the deal, granted approval following Microsoft’s commitment that Activision would sell its non-European streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment, addressing concerns over market dominance in cloud streaming.

With the completion of the deal, the path is now open to launch the Xbox store app on iOS and Android. Apple and Google, enforcing strict storefront rules, traditionally disallow app developers from hosting on third-party storefronts, imposing a transaction cut via the App Store and Play Store. However, these policies are under regulatory scrutiny, with Epic Games and others pursuing antitrust actions. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), aiming to curb potential market abuses by tech giants, is poised to empower app and game developers to establish their own app stores on mobile platforms. Compliance with DMA rules is expected from tech companies by March 2024.

In a recent announcement, Microsoft revealed a collaboration with Inworld AI to develop game development tools tailored for the Xbox platform. These tools empower developers to craft characters, generate comprehensive scripts, design quests, and more. Earlier this year, Xbox implemented price increases for its widely-used subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, and its flagship next-gen console, the Xbox Series X.