Seattle, WA – Microsoft’s plan to allow players to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android has faced delays, much to the disappointment of gamers eagerly awaiting the feature. Sarah Bond, a Microsoft executive, mentioned in a recent statement that the feature was expected to go live in November. However, as December approaches, the feature is still not available. Bond clarified that the delay is not due to any fault of Microsoft but rather a result of a temporary stay granted by a court as Google appeals a ruling that the Android app store constitutes an illegal monopoly.
Judge James Donato’s decision to grant Google’s request for a stay has left the situation hanging in uncertain limbo. Bond reassured users in a recent communication that Microsoft’s team has the functionality prepared and ready to launch as soon as the court reaches a final decision. The company has been strategizing its mobile app store approach for years, aiming to offer Xbox game purchases akin to what platforms like Steam and PlayStation already provide, along with integrating Xbox Cloud Gaming features.
Despite the setbacks, Microsoft has yet to specify the exact reasons preventing the implementation of Xbox game purchases on Android. Additionally, there is no update on the status of the browser-based mobile store, which has been showing a “coming soon” sign for several months. Gamers and industry experts alike eagerly await further developments on Microsoft’s plans for mobile gaming experiences within the Xbox ecosystem.