Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox mobile gaming store is set to launch in 2024, according to Phil Spencer in a recent Financial Times interview. The tech giant previously mentioned its plans for new mobile gaming store last year alongside the Activision Blizzard acquisition announcement. Microsoft is set on competing against Apple and Google’s mobile game stores, with hopes that the move will push the rival companies to open up their devices to alternative apps. Spencer believes the EU’s upcoming Digital Markets Act will help speed up the process.
“The Digital Markets Act that’s coming — those are the kinds of things that we are planning for,” said Spencer. “I think it’s a huge opportunity.”
The Digital Markets Act centers around ensuring “open and fair” digital markets by identifying “gatekeepers”, companies that use their power to prevent alternative digital sales on their platforms, and forcing them to allow third parties to operate in the gatekeeper’s services in specific circumstances.
“We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play,” said Spencer. “Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up.”