Microsoft planned to launch its own mobile gaming store back in July, but it has yet to debut. The head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, explained to Bloomberg why this has been the case.
Candy Crush Saga
According to Spencer, Microsoft decided not to rush and to conduct more thorough market research. Currently, the corporation is actively engaging with developers to understand their needs.
Moreover, Microsoft is awaiting the resolution of antitrust court cases surrounding the App Store and Google Play. As Spencer notes, while Apple and Google continue to litigate across various countries, Microsoft lacks an "effective way" to launch its store.
Previously, Microsoft mentioned that its mobile gaming store would initially be released as a web version, rather than a traditional app. This approach would circumvent the restrictions imposed by closed-platform owners like Apple. It was expected that at launch, the store would feature only Microsoft-owned games, including Candy Crush Saga and Minecraft.