Microsoft to Sell Xbox Games on Android App Following Court Ruling Against Google

In a significant move, Microsoft has announced that it will begin selling Xbox games on its Android app starting in November, enabling users to purchase and stream games directly via the company’s cloud platform. This development follows a pivotal ruling in the ongoing Epic Games vs. Google case, where a US judge determined that Google’s Play Store is an illegal monopoly, forcing the tech giant to make room for third-party app stores and provide developers with an option to bypass Google’s in-app purchase (IAP) system for the next three years.

Sarah Bond, president of Microsoft Xbox, expressed her enthusiasm about the court's ruling on the platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, "The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility." She also confirmed that "starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android."

Although users will be able to buy games from the Xbox app, they won't be able to run them natively on their Android devices. Instead, they will need to rely on Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft's cloud streaming platform, to play these titles on mobile devices. The Verge reached out to Microsoft for further details, but the company reiterated Bond's statement without providing additional information.

This ruling could significantly impact the financial ecosystem of the Play Store. Both Apple and Google have long been criticized for charging substantial commissions on in-app purchases. While Apple’s policies remain unchanged outside of the European Union, Google has now been compelled to loosen its grip on the billing process.

The decision aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy to expand its mobile gaming footprint. In July, the company announced plans to launch its own mobile game store, which will feature titles from various Microsoft-owned gaming studios. This initiative could further disrupt the dominance of existing mobile app stores and give gamers more flexibility in how and where they purchase their favorite titles.

With these changes, Microsoft aims to offer a seamless gaming experience across multiple platforms, leveraging its cloud infrastructure to reach a broader audience.