Starting in November, Microsoft will allow gamers to buy and play Xbox games directly on its Android app. This exciting news means that soon, players will be able to stream their favorite Xbox games right on their mobile phones using Microsoft’s cloud platform. The big change comes after a US judge ruled that the Google Play Store has been an unfair monopoly, opening doors for more competition in the mobile gaming market.
About Microsoft’s Move to Android
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| What’s happening? | Microsoft will start selling Xbox games on its Android app, allowing players to buy and stream games directly from their mobile devices. |
| When will this start? | The feature will roll out in November 2024. |
| Why is this happening now? | A court ruling against Google means more freedom for third-party stores to sell games, making the Google Play Store less dominant. |
| How will the games run? | Games won’t run directly on your phone, but you can stream them using the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. |
| Who benefits? | Gamers who want to play their Xbox games on more devices, especially mobile phones, will benefit from this change. |
This decision is part of Microsoft’s bigger mission to let more players enjoy their games on different devices. Whether you own a gaming console or just a mobile phone, you can now get a broader gaming experience.
Why is Microsoft Bringing Xbox Games to Android?
The Epic Games vs Google trial was a key moment for this change. The US court decided that Google must open the Play Store for more companies and allow third-party payment systems. Now, developers won’t have to rely on Google’s in-app purchase system, which has long been criticized for its high commission fees. Instead, developers like Microsoft can offer their games directly to users without extra charges.
In response to this ruling, Sarah Bond, the president of Xbox, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “Our mission is to allow more players to play on more devices, and starting in November, players will be able to buy and play Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android.”
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
While you won’t be able to run these games on your Android device natively, you can stream them through Xbox Cloud Gaming. This service allows you to play Xbox games on any device that supports cloud gaming, meaning you don’t need a high-end gaming console or PC anymore.
Impact on Google and Apple
This new ruling might cause some financial challenges for Google’s Play Store, which used to collect a hefty commission from developers. However, the change only applies to Google for now, as Apple is still following its usual policies outside of the European Union.
If you’re a fan of mobile gaming, this is great news. You’ll have more choices, and playing Xbox games on your phone is going to be easier than ever before!
For more official information, you can read Microsoft’s announcement on The Verge.
