Microsoft plans to open its own game app store in July 2024 to enter the mobile gaming market dominated by Apple and Google, initially as a web-based store
After much rumor, Microsoft's own mobile games store is now set to launch in July 2024. Sarah Bond, president of Microsoft's gaming brand Xbox, announced the details, meaning mobile gamers will soon have an alternative to Apple's App Store and Google's Google Play.
Microsoft (MSFT) to Launch Mobile Game Store in July, Vying With Apple, Google - Bloomberg
Microsoft is launching a mobile game store, taking on Apple and Google – GeekWire
https://www.geekwire.com/2024/microsoft-is-launching-a-mobile-game-store-taking-on-apple-and-google/
Microsoft to Launch Mobile Game Store in July - Thurrott.com
https://www.thurrott.com/games/302288/microsoft-to-launch-mobile-game-store-in-july
Microsoft's new Xbox mobile gaming store launches in July - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/9/24153245/microsoft-xbox-mobile-gaming-store-july-launch
Xbox mobile store launches in July 2024 | Windows Central
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-president-sarah-bond-confirms-xbox-mobile-store-will-launch-soon-heres-when
Microsoft will launch its long-awaited mobile game store in July via the web - Neowin
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-will-launch-its-long-awaited-mobile-game-store-in-july-via-the-web/
In October 2022, documents submitted to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK's antitrust authority, revealed that Microsoft is moving forward with the launch of its own mobile gaming app store. Later, in March 2023, Phil Spencer, Microsoft's executive vice president of gaming, also acknowledged that the company plans to launch its own mobile gaming app store. In addition, in December 2023, Spencer said that the launch of a mobile gaming app store was 'not several years away.'
Xbox's CEO says Microsoft's Xbox mobile game app store is 'not years away' - GIGAZINE
Xbox CEO Bond announced at the Bloomberg Technology Summit on May 9, 2024 that Microsoft's own mobile game app store is scheduled to be released in July 2024.
According to Bond, Microsoft's planned mobile game app store will be browser-based and will initially distribute Microsoft's own titles, after which the store will be open to third-party publishers. According to Bond, the mobile game app store will sell in-game items for original titles at a discount.
Bond emphasized that the mobile game app store will be built on a browser rather than an app, explaining why: 'We're starting with the web, which will enable an experience that's accessible on every device, in every country, no matter what, and that's not dependent on the policies of a closed ecosystem store.'
Sarah Bond, @Microsoft 's Xbox president, announced at #BloombergTech that the company will launch its own mobile game store in July, creating an alternative to Apple and Google's app stores pic.twitter.com/hj6eLtsGfl
— Bloomberg Live (@BloombergLive) May 9, 2024
In addition, Bond commented, 'Rather than being locked into a single ecosystem, we see an opportunity to build a truly cross-device store where you, your library, your identity and your rewards can move together. ' In addition, it has been appealed that Microsoft's hit game 'Minecraft' may be released in the mobile game app store.
Regarding this announcement, an Xbox spokesperson commented, 'The web-based store is the first step in our efforts to build a trusted app store with roots in gaming.' However, the name of Microsoft's planned mobile game app store has not been revealed, and there has been no talk of its availability in regions outside the EU.
Apple and Google have long dominated the mobile gaming market, collecting about 30% of sales from game developers as a commission. However, with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) coming into force in Europe in 2024, Apple, which has stubbornly not allowed third-party app stores, has finally allowed alternative app stores. This will allow app developers to avoid some of the commission fees imposed by Apple and Google.
Finally, iOS 17.4 will allow alternative app stores to comply with EU regulations, but Apple warns
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has already revealed that it is planning to launch its own app store in the second half of 2024. It has been confirmed that the commission fee for Epic Games' mobile game app store will be 12%, the same as the PC game store Epic Games Store , but since a core technology fee will be added to this, it is unclear at what price apps and in-game items will be sold compared to the App Store, etc.
Epic Games app store commission for iOS and Android will be set at 12%, the same as PC, and Apple's commission will be increased from here - GIGAZINE
Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023, adding mobile gaming apps such as Candy Crush, which has been installed more than 5 billion times since its debut in 2012 and generated more than $20 billion in revenue.
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