Microsoft has built the ability to buy games directly from the Xbox app for Android, but it's not ready to launch yet

Microsoft has revealed that it has developed a feature to allow users to purchase games directly from the Xbox app for Android, and that it is 'ready to distribute.' However, it is 'not ready to launch yet,' and a Microsoft executive explains what is preventing this.

Microsoft says it's built an Xbox game store on Android but can't launch it - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/27/24307867/microsoft-google-xbox-game-store-android-purchase-games

In October 2024, Sarah Bond, Microsoft's corporate vice president and president of the Xbox division, said, 'Starting in November 2024, you will be able to purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android.' This is because in the Google vs. Epic Games lawsuit in October 2024, a ruling was made that ' apps distributed on Google Play should not be forced to use Google Play Billing, Google's official in-app purchase feature .' If the use of Google Play Billing is no longer forced, third-party app developers will no longer have to pay Google a portion of their sales as a commission.

Xbox Cloud Gaming will allow users to stream games they own from November 2024 - GIGAZINE

However, with November fast approaching the end, Microsoft has still not made Xbox games available for in-app purchase, and Bond has explained why on his official Bluesky account.

'Xbox wants to give players choices about how and where they play, including being able to play and buy games directly through the Xbox app.'

1/4: At Xbox, we want to offer players more choice on how and where they play, including being able to play and buy games directly from the Xbox app.

— BondSarahBond ( @bondsarahbond.bsky.social ) November 28, 2024 6:15am

'I recently shared our goal to be the first to unlock these features in the Google Play Store on Android devices in the U.S. while other app stores adapt to meet consumer demand.'

2/4: I recently shared our ambition to unlock these features first with the Google Play Store on Android devices in the US while other app stores adapt to meet consumer demand.

— BondSarahBond ( @bondsarahbond.bsky.social ) November 28, 2024 6:15am

'Due to a recent court order that issued a temporary stay of execution, we are currently unable to launch these features as planned. Our teams are building the features and will be ready to go live as soon as the court issues its final decision.'

3/4: Due to a temporary administrative stay recently by the courts, we are currently granted unable to launch these features as planned. Our team has the functionality built and ready to go live as soon as the court makes a final decision.

— BondSarahBond ( @bondsarahbond.bsky.social ) November 28, 2024 6:15am

'We're excited to launch this feature to give players even more choice and flexibility.'

4/4: We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players.

— BondSarahBond ( @bondsarahbond.bsky.social ) November 28, 2024 6:15am

The 'administrative stay order' Bond is referring to the Google v. Epic Games lawsuit, in which Judge James Donato granted Google's request to stay the appeal on October 18, 2024.

Microsoft has been planning its own mobile app store for several years.

Microsoft is building an app store to rival Apple and Google, the Xbox Mobile Games Store - GIGAZINE