Microsoft to sell games in Xbox App on Android
Update, October 14 2024: Xbox has clarified to GamesIndustry.biz that Sarah Bond's announcement referred to full Xbox console titles, rather than mobile games. Purchased titles will then be playable in the Xbox App via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The original article below has been amended to reflect this.
Original story, October 11 2024: Microsoft is expanding its mobile gaming offering with plans to sell titles within its Xbox App on Android later this year.
The news came via a social media post from Xbox president Sarah Bond, who said players will be able to both purchase and play games directly from the app. There were no further details on which titles will be available, but the introduction of game sales will be "starting in November."
This is unrelated to Microsoft's plans to launch its own mobile app store. The marketplace was originally planned to launch this summer, starting with first-party titles such as Candy Crush and Minecraft.
Microsoft's mobile store is likely to be something separate from the Xbox app, and potentially of a larger scale, given that Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer said in December that the store was being developed with unnamed partners.
Bond linked the introduction of game sales to the Xbox app with the recent US court ruling to open up Google Play to rival app stores. We spoke to experts who said these changes will have minimal impact on the dynamics of the mobile market.
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