Next month, you will be able to buy games from the Xbox app in the app store
Notepad: An Update on Microsoft’s Era-defining Bets on AI, Gaming, and Computing Powered by Google Play Billing
Microsoft plans to let game purchases in its Xbox mobile app for the US in February, just as the Xbox Cloud gaming expansion is about to come out. Microsoft is able to do this thanks to a court ruling earlier this week that forces Google to stop requiring Google Play Billing for apps in the Play Store on November 1st.
The Play Store is not open to competition because of the illegal monopoly held by the search giant. This means no longer forcing developers to use its own Google Play Billing after a jury found that Google had illegally tied its payment system to its app store. Google will also have to distribute rival third-party app stores within Google Play.
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XCloud: Streaming Games to your Game Library with Microsoft’s Open Games on Android and Windows Phones, a Complaint with Bond
Project xCloud was supposed to launch with game library streaming in 2020. Microsoft didn’t launch its cloud gaming service in 2022, even though it promised to support your game library. I understand the work has been complicated by having to prepare key infrastructure for thousands of games, instead of the hundreds that currently exist on Xbox Game Pass. While thousands of games will soon be available through Xbox Cloud Gaming, I’m told some publishers will hold certain games back due to licensing requirements or deals.
In November, the Xbox app will allow players to play and purchase games directly from it, according to Sarah Bond. Once Microsoft gets their work done, you will be able to purchase an Xbox game onAndroid and immediately stream it to your device.
