The head of Microsoft‘s gaming division in an interview with the Financial Times said that the corporation could open an Xbox store for mobile devices as early as next year. This will happen if regulators approve the purchase of Activision Blizzard.
According to Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s own store will allow Microsoft to compete with the App Store and Google Play. Now Apple does not allow third-party marketplaces on iOS, but the corporation expects that the situation will change in a year. At least in Europe. Because in March 2024, the “Digital Markets Act” (DMA) will fully work in the EU, which will force Apple to open its platform.
Microsoft is going to attract users with the help of Activision Blizzard games. According to Spencer, games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Diablo Immortal and Candy Crush Saga will be of “critical importance.”
The fact that Microsoft is working on the Xbox mobile store became known in October last year. Information about this was published in a report for the British regulator.