Key Highlights
- Microsoft is set to launch a web-based mobile game store in July
- It will feature games from many Microsoft’s gaming studios
- It will be accessible across all devices and countries, independent of closed ecosystem store policies
After years of speculation, Microsoft has finally confirmed the launch of its own Xbox mobile gaming store, slated to debut in July. This announcement comes straight from the Xbox president, Sarah Bond, at the Bloomberg Technology Summit. While an exact release date is yet to be revealed, the gaming community eagerly awaits this significant milestone in the mobile gaming world. Also Read | Xbox Exclusives Expand: PS5 And Nintendo Switch Welcome Four New Titles
Focus On First-Party Games
The Xbox mobile store will primarily feature first-party games from Microsoft. This means popular titles like Minecraft, Candy Crush, and Call of Duty: Mobile will be readily available. Notably, two of these games are owned by Activision Blizzard, now under the Microsoft umbrella.
Web-Only Access Initially
One of the standout features of the Xbox mobile store is its accessibility across devices. To circumvent the strict rules imposed by major app stores like Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, Microsoft has opted for a web-only approach initially. This means users can access the store directly from their mobile browsers, offering an alternative to the traditional app store experience. While this approach may not solve the underlying issues, it provides users with more options and flexibility.
Compliance and Expansion
The decision to launch a web-only store aligns with recent regulatory actions, such as Europe’s Digital Markets Act and pressure in the US, aimed at opening up mobile app ecosystems. Although the Xbox mobile store will start as a web-based platform, hints from Sarah Bond suggest that it will eventually expand beyond the web, possibly with the introduction of a dedicated app. Microsoft has been working on this project since early 2022, facing challenges along the way. However, with a confirmed release month, the company seems poised to overcome these hurdles.
Also Read | Want Free Games On Your PS5? Here’s How To Download It On Your Gaming Console
Conclusion
The launch of the Xbox mobile store marks a significant step forward for Microsoft in the mobile gaming market. By focusing on first-party titles and providing an alternative distribution platform, Microsoft aims to offer users a seamless gaming experience across devices. While initial access will be through the web, the potential for expansion into dedicated apps opens up exciting possibilities for the future. As July approaches, gamers worldwide anticipate the arrival of the Xbox mobile store and the new gaming opportunities it brings.
