Microsoft and Google have been clashing heads to allow Xbox to sell and launch games from its Android App following a US judge verdict in October.
To give some context, the US judge ordered Google to open its Android marketplace to competitors in October, having to follow through with the verdict in November and is not allowed to block the distribution of third-party Android app stores through Google Play. At the time, Sarah Bond promised that the ruling would mean the players would be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android, but has recently posted a thread on BlueSky claiming they are blocked from doing so.
Bond has mentioned Google requested an emergency stay, meaning pausing the ruling to give time to appeal it, as they believe it is threatening Google Play’s ability to provide a safe and trusted user experience.
On Sarah Bond BlueSky’s account, she has posted:
“At Xbox, we want to offer players more choice on how and where they can play, including being able to play and buy games directly from Xbox App. 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 demands. Due to a temporary administrative stay recently granted by the courts, we are currently 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. We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players.”
As of now, Google has appeared to challenge Bond’s version of the event in their statement given to The Verge. “Microsoft has always been able to offer their Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly from their app – They’ve simply chosen not to. The court order, and rush to force its implementation, threaten Google Play’s ability to provide a safe and secure experience. Microsoft, like Epic, are ignoring these very real security concerns. We remain focused on supporting an ecosystem that works for everyone, not just two of the largest game companies.”, claimed Dan Jackson, a Google spokesperson.
If unaware of the ruling from the US judge, it was stated that from November 1st for a three-period in the US, Google would:
- Not allowed to pay developers to launch apps first or exclusively through the Play Store.
- Be barred from offering manufacturers or carriers incentives to pre-install Google Play (or to not pre-install rival stores) on new devices.
- Not be able to force app makers to use Google Play Billings.
- Not be allowed to require a developer to set a price based on whether Google Play is used.
- Not be able to restrict developers from pointing users to external payment options outside of the Play Store.
From not being able to launch the Xbox mobile app store, it is unknown if that will happen. It’s best to keep our eye peeled for updates regarding the issue between Microsoft and Google.
