Now it’s official: After several rumors, Microsoft has finally confirmed that its own mobile app store is on the way. The information was revealed via Xbox head Sarah Bond during an interview with Bloomberg. In July we will be able to explore this new platform, a kind of Microsoft Store dedicated to mobile games on Android and iOS.
However, this new store will not work exactly like the Play Store or App Store. To start, Microsoft will focus primarily on a web platform rather than a native app. “This allows us to deliver an accessible experience on all devices in all countries, regardless of closed ecosystem store policies. We will then expand from there.” explains Sarah Bond.
Microsoft Mobile Games Store Coming in July
Therefore, the operation of this store still remains relatively unclear. Will you need to go to the web page of the games you want to download from your smartphone to get them? Let’s hope not, because it wouldn’t be very practical. To date, web versions of Play Store and App Store allow you to download applications to your smartphone, but only because the stores are already installed on the latter.
On the other hand, this decision was ultimately predictable. If Apple is now forced to welcome alternatives to its App Store on iOS, this restriction will only be in effect in Europe. Therefore, Microsoft could not offer its store locally elsewhere in the world. Moreover, expect to find all of the company’s biggest mobile games. Minecraft of course, but also and above all since the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King, Call of Duty Mobile and Candy Crush.
Sarah Bond, @Microsoft‘s Xbox head was announced on: #BloombergTech He said the company will open 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