According to a new report, Microsoft could be ready to debut its Xbox mobile gaming store as early as next year. Of course, this is all dependent if the company’s Activision Blizzard deal goes through.
We first learned about the company’s “next-generation store” late last year, a month after Microsoft announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. It’s no secret that the company has been busy at work making strides to ensure that it taps into newer markets, particularly in the gaming sector. Xbox head, Phil Spencer has confirmed that the Xbox mobile gaming store is currently in the works.
As per the EU’s Digital Markets Act, key industry players like Google and Apple will be required to open their mobile app stores to other companies. This change is set to take effect as soon as next year. That said, Microsoft could technically leverage this opportunity to tap into iOS and Android via its Xbox app store around the same timeframe.
This will essentially allow Microsoft’s game store to take on Apple and Google’s mobile gaming stores and give them a run for their money. Microsoft disclosed that it intends to make use of Activision Blizzard mobile titles like Candy Crush Saga, Diablo Immortal, and Call of Duty: Mobile to get more users to hop on the new platform once it ships.
While on an interview with Finacial Times, Xbox’s head, Phil Spencer indicated that:
We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play. Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up.
Once the Activision deal goes through, Microsoft will be able to compete with the likes of Google and Apple on an even playing field as it will provide the company with “much-needed expertise in mobile game development, marketing, and advertising.”
That said, Microsoft’s deal is yet to be cleared by regulators. Recently, Microsoft devised new remedies to appease the European Commission in regard to its proposed merger with Activision Blizzard. And even struck deals with Boosteroid and Ubitus to bring Call of Duty and other Xbox titles to those platforms for the next 10 years.
Let us know what you think about Microsoft’s Xbox mobile gaming store in the comments.
via: Financial Times
