Microsoft could bring the Xbox Game Store to Android and iPhone devices

After acquiring several game developers and studios over the past few years, Microsoft is considering bringing the Xbox Game Store to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. As Apple and Google increasingly have to open up their platforms to third-party app stores, the path for Microsoft’s mobile expansion is becoming somewhat clearer.

Microsoft revealed (Via Bloomberg) It is working on bringing an Xbox-branded game store to Android and iOS. News about this game store first emerged during the company’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard last year. At the time, it was reported that Microsoft may be years away from bringing such a store to Android and iOS, but things appear to be moving quickly. Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed that Microsoft is moving forward with its plan and is talking with several partners to bring the Xbox Games Store to non-Microsoft platforms. A Microsoft executive even claimed that the company is interested in bringing the Xbox Game Store to Nintendo and Sony platforms, but Phil Spencer was quick to deny these claims.

During an interview at CCXP, a comic convention in Brazil, Phil Spencer said: “It’s an important part of our strategy and it’s something we’re actively working on today not only on our own, but also in talking with other partners who would also like to see more options for how we can monetize over the phone… I don’t think this is multiple years away, I think this is closer than that. We talked about choice, and today on your mobile phones, you don’t have a choice. To make sure Xbox is relevant not just today, but over the next 10 or 20 years, we have to be strong across multiple screens.”

Although Google has opened up and loosened restrictions on Android, allowing third-party app stores to operate more freely, we have not seen any popular app store emerge. On the other hand, Apple does not allow third-party app stores on iOS and iPadOS. It cites security concerns with the walled garden approach, but potential EU regulation could force Apple to open its platform to third-party app stores. When that happens, we could see the Xbox Game Store on iPhone and iPad.

Diary: Samsung is already a good partner of Microsoft, and the company ships its phones pre-installed with many Microsoft apps and services. We believe that when Microsoft launches the Xbox Game Store for Android, Samsung could be among the first brands to pre-install it on Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Right now, there aren’t as many AAA game titles on Android compared to iPhone and iPad. If a game store brings more AAA game titles to the platform through individual purchases or a monthly subscription, there could be a lot of takers for the service, especially since gaming is becoming more popular among young people these days. However, for it to be successful, the combination of games and the entire experience has to be very good.