Microsoft is Building an Xbox Mobile Gaming Store To Take on Apple and Google

Microsoft is building an Xbox mobile store to directly offer games on mobile devices, challenging Apple and Google. The software giant first hinted at a "next-generation" store it would "build for games" earlier this year but has now quietly revealed details of the plans in filings with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). From a report: The CMA is currently investigating the $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition and has asked Microsoft for context. In its filings, Microsoft says a big motivation for the purchase is to help build out its mobile gaming presence. Its plans for this space apparently include creating an Xbox mobile gaming platform and store.

Here's what the company says in the filings: "The transaction will improve Microsoft's ability to create a next generation game store which operates across a range of devices, including mobile as a result of the addition of Activision Blizzard's content. Building on Activision Blizzard's existing communities of gamers, Xbox will seek to scale the Xbox Store to mobile, attracting gamers to a new Xbox Mobile Platform. Shifting consumers away from the Google Play Store and App Store on mobile devices will, however, require a major shift in consumer behavior. Microsoft hopes that by offering well-known and popular content, gamers will be more inclined to try something new."

Re:

[saloomy]

Unless they can get Apple to let a competing App Store onto their phones, this is pretty much DOA.

Seriously, the me-too products these tech companies spin out all the time is useless. They should have their developers create some unique products. What problem do they think they are solving? There is no lacking of games on the current mobile platforms, and they could very easily publish their games on the current offerings. When you see the problem as "Someone else is getting revenue instead of me!", you e

Re:

[AmazingRuss]

Most c levels are terrified of doing something different... so they content themselves with making their minions copy each other.

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[CodeInspired]

When you're paying Google and Apple 30% of your revenue to distribute your app/game, I can image lots of tech companies looking for alternatives. If the games are cheaper by not having to pay the Apple/Google tax, I would welcome an XBox store.

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[saloomy]

But what are we getting for the 30%?

1. The 30% is for subsidization of free apps.
2 .It also pays for the notification service of all apps, which is considerable.
3. It also pays for the review if Apps so they don't fuck up the OS or hardware.
4. It also pays to protect the users' data from malicious exfiltration or privacy violations.
5. It also pays for the merchant fees.
6. It also pays for the customer service associated with handling payments.
7. It also pays for the infrastructure to code and mai

Re:

[CodeInspired]

I get it. You love Apple and the ecosystem they have setup. Would you argue the same if all operating systems did the same? If Microsoft approved and charged 30% fee for every non-free app on Windows? Same for the Mac?

Point being, they artificially established this 30% tax as being the norm. All the others followed suit and now, as a developer, you have no choice in the matter. It's either pay the tax or be locked out of the duopoly of mobile devices. You've never heard of anyone complaining about pric

Re: Cool! Another Microsoft ad!

[saloomy]

I do like the system Apple have set up. The apps are of high quality, relatively trustworthy in comparison to their contemporary counterparts, affordable, updated regularly, and my personal information and payment information is not in the grubby hands of every developer whos wares I want to use. I can centrally manage my payments and subscriptions, and end them relatively hassle free.

I get your point about the other OSs. There are alternatives to Android, and iOS. I would not want a work-around or side

Could be worse

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple and Google are so hated, that it takes something like this to remind us how much we actually relatively love them both.

But even Microsoft can be topped. When will we hear about the Oracle game store?

Unless it has

[Virtucon]

Blackjack and hookers, I'm not interested. Shit these current MS-supplied store apps on Windows suck donkey balls, I'm sure XBox users will just love never-ending adware.

Ha ha ha

[tanimislam]

More than 5 (maybe 10?) years ago, I remember Microsoft opened and ran a "Microsoft Store" in Westfield Valley Fair Mall (San Jose), right by its Apple Store. It was funny to see the packed Apple Store, right across from the empty Microsoft Store. If I had a smart phone then, I would have posted a comparison video pair!

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[93 Escort Wagon]

It was the exact same situation with the Microsoft Store at Seattle's University Village - they built their store right across the parking lot from the existing Apple Store. People continued to swarm the Apple Store, while the Microsoft Store was a ghost town.

Finally Apple built an even bigger store on top of that parking lot, immediately next to the Microsoft Store - which promptly closed.

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[muh_freeze_peach]

I hope one day I get to meet someone related to you, so I can kick them in the genitals.

Windows Phone store, I miss you

[seniorchupon]

I loved my windows phone games. May be this will be more successful?

And yet I have more faith in this....

[substance2003]

Then I had when I 1st heard of Stadia from Google. When it comes to gaming Microsoft has more will to commit.