Chris Carlon / Android Authority
TL; DR
- Phil Spencer has talked about Microsoft’s intention to open an app store for games on Android and iOS.
- Google and Apple block other app stores from their platforms.
- The situation may change after recent decisions.
It seems rare these days to hear Microsoft-related gaming news about Activision Blizzard’s acquisition struggles. But Xbox head Phil Spencer has given us something new to talk about games – a mobile app store for games.
In an interview with Financial Times, Spencer talked about Microsoft’s intention to open an app store for games on Android and iOS. “We want to be able to offer Xbox and content from both of us and our third-party partners on any screen that someone wants to play on,” Spencer said.
They also admitted that it might not happen at the moment. We can’t do that on mobile devices today, but we want to build into the world we think will come where those devices are unlocked.
As of now, Apple doesn’t allow third-party app stores on iOS. The same was the case for Google’s Android OS until the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) decision required the company to open up its platform in India. Google said it plans to appeal some aspects of the CCI decision.
While the wall is Microsoft’s way, Spencer’s words show that the tech giant is already anticipating the day when its app store will be available on Android and iOS. India’s decision paves the way for more countries to ask Apple and Google to open up the ecosystem. In fact, new rules in the EU’s Digital Markets Act that seek to increase competition in app markets could mean that day is here soon.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Microsoft plans to challenge Google and Apple’s App Store. To bring this story full circle, it was first mentioned when the Redmond-based company tried to defend its acquisition of Activision Blizzard by saying that its motivation was to help build a mobile gaming presence.