Recap: Following a major court ruling against Google's Android app policies, Microsoft recently announced plans to enable customers to buy and play Xbox games directly through an Android app. As Google appeals the decision, Microsoft and Epic Games accuse the tech giant of stonewalling to defend its in-app purchase commissions.
Microsoft has delayed its recently announced plans to launch an Android app portal for buying and playing Xbox games. The company blames Google's appeal of a recent antitrust decision, igniting a series of accusations between the two companies and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.
The new Xbox app would likely allow users to purchase certain games to stream via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Since a US judge ordered Google to cease blocking third-party storefronts on Android devices in October, Microsoft could sell the titles without paying Google a commission.
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. I recently shared our ambition to unlock these features first with the Google Play Store on Android devices in the U.S. while other app…
– BondSarahBond (@BondSarah_Bond) November 27, 2024
Moreover, Microsoft recently began allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream games they own outside of the subscription service. However, Microsoft currently only allows mobile users to purchase and access the titles through a web interface to avoid the Google Play and Apple App Store commissions.
Microsoft announced the native app interface mere days after Google lost its antitrust case. However, the court approved Google's request for a temporary administrative stay, delaying the requirement that it loosen Android software restrictions.
Google's statement is deceitful. Shame on them. They well know that the 30% cut they demand is far more than all of the profit from game streaming. They know this because they blew hundreds of millions of dollars building the failed Stadia game business themselves.
– Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) November 28, 2024
In response, Xbox President Sarah Bond stated that Microsoft is ready to launch the app immediately after Google lifts its restrictions, but Google claims those restrictions don't exist. While echoing the usual security concerns regarding app sideloading, the search giant claimed that Microsoft is already free to sell games on Android.
Although Google's statement wasn't a direct suggestion that Microsoft launch its app on the Google Play Store – and thus pay a commission – Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney took it as such. Calling Google's response "deceitful," he noted that the 30 percent fee would erase all profits from game streaming, effectively making mobile game streaming apps nonviable.
Restrictive policies against mobile cloud gaming apps have drawn regulatory ire for years. Apple began allowing them on its app store following legislation from the European Union.
Microsoft's upcoming app is part of a push to redefine the meaning of "Xbox." Instead of focusing solely on the Xbox Series consoles, a new ad campaign aims to spread the brand to any device that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Microsoft accuses Google of blocking game purchases on Xbox Android app
