Microsoft delays Android Xbox app function to let gamers purchase and play Xbox video games
- Microsoft introduced a brand new Android Xbox app function for purchasing and taking part in Xbox video games on cell in October.
- The function was introduced after a court docket dominated that Google should open its Play Retailer to rivals for 3 years.
- A court docket has now granted a “non permanent administrative keep” on Microsoft’s plans, delaying the function’s rollout for an indefinite time.
Microsoft has introduced that it already has the function’s performance constructed and able to go however is unable to roll it out to Xbox gamers within the US attributable to a court docket ruling that has granted Google’s request for a short lived administrative keep. Xbox president Sarah Bond says that staff is able to let gamers buy and play video games by way of the Android Xbox app “as quickly because the court docket makes a remaining choice.”
“At Xbox, we wish to provide gamers extra alternative on how and the place they play, together with with the ability to play and purchase video games immediately from the Xbox app,” Bond announced on X. “I just lately shared our ambition to unlock these options first with the Google Play Retailer on Android units within the U.S. whereas different app shops adapt to satisfy client demand.
“Attributable to a short lived administrative keep just lately granted by the courts, we’re at present unable to launch these options as deliberate. Our staff has the performance constructed and able to go reside as quickly because the court docket makes a remaining choice. We’re desperate to launch and provides extra alternative and suppleness to gamers.”
Google spokesperson Dan Jackson has responded to the information with the identical assertion the corporate shared weeks in the past (thanks, The Verge): “Microsoft has at all times been in a position to provide their Android customers the power to play and buy Xbox video games immediately from their app – they’ve merely chosen to not. The Court docket’s order, and rush to pressure its implementation, threaten Google Play’s means to offer a protected and safe expertise. Microsoft, like Epic, are ignoring these very actual safety issues. We stay targeted on supporting an ecosystem that works for everybody, not simply two of the most important recreation firms.”
The upcoming function was revealed in October following a US court docket ruling that decided that Google is operating a monopoly with its Google Play Retailer. The corporate was ordered to open the shop to rivals for 3 years, which might permit third-party app shops to be distributed on the platform. The court docket additionally discovered that the pressured use of Google Play Billing was an unlawful requirement, and ordered for it to be stopped.
Earlier this month, Microsoft rolled out a brand new function that permits Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream some of their owned games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Sadly, this function would have labored nice with the corporate’s cell plans, however we’ll have to attend and see how that pans out.
