Microsoft Plans an Xbox Mobile Game Store to Compete Against Google, Apple - PCMag

Microsoft has revealed it’s moving connected a mobile gaming app store to vie against Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

The institution disclosed the program successful a filing to UK regulators, which was noticed(Opens successful a caller window) by The Verge. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is conducting an probe into whether Microsoft should beryllium permitted to get Activision Blizzard for astir $69 billion. 

The authorities regulator is acrophobic the woody volition trim contention successful the video crippled manufacture since Activision Blizzard is the developer down respective large gaming franchises, including Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Call of Duty. But connected Tuesday, Microsoft sent a 33-page effect defending its program to bargain the company. In the aforesaid document, the institution besides mentions however Activision Blizzard promises to bolster Microsoft’s concealed effort to make a rival to the app stores from Google and Apple. 

“The Transaction volition amended Microsoft’s quality to make a adjacent procreation crippled store which operates crossed a scope of devices, including mobile arsenic a effect of the summation of Activision Blizzard’s content,” Microsoft wrote(Opens successful a caller window) successful the filing. “Building connected Activision Blizzard’s existing communities of gamers, Xbox volition question to standard the Xbox Store to mobile, attracting gamers to a caller Xbox Mobile Platform.”

Of course, Microsoft could physique specified a level without the acquisition. But Redmond argues the assorted crippled franchises from Activision Blizzard are important successful attracting consumers to effort retired the mobile crippled store.

“Shifting consumers distant from the Google Play Store and App Store connected mobile devices will, however, necessitate a large displacement successful user behavior. Microsoft hopes that by offering well-known and fashionable content, gamers volition beryllium much inclined to effort thing new,” Microsoft added. 

The institution besides plans connected gathering the mobile level with Microsoft’s “Open App Store Principles,” which were announced(Opens successful a caller window) successful February. These principles person been designed to guarantee third-party developers tin merchantability their apps with less restrictions and requirements compared to Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

Microsoft didn't accidental if it plans to marque its ain games exclusive connected the mobile gaming platform. The institution didn’t instantly respond to a petition for comment. However, successful the filing Redmond wrote: “Microsoft has consistently voiced its commitment to proceed to marque games disposable for acquisition connected immoderate level connected which they are presently available.”

Still, UK regulators whitethorn not beryllium convinced. In a statement(Opens successful a caller window) past week, the UK's CMA signaled it was inactive disquieted Microsoft volition forestall Activision Blizzard games from reaching different platforms, which could besides undermine contention successful the unreality gaming arena.