Xbox’s Vision for Mobile Gaming Delayed by Court Ruling

Microsoft’s initiative to enable Android users to purchase and enjoy console games via the Xbox app has faced delays, seemingly due to the ongoing legal contention between Google and Epic Games.

In a post on BlueSky, Xbox president Sarah Bond mentioned that the company is currently unable to launch this new feature “because of a temporary administrative hold recently imposed by the courts.”

Bond previously announced that Xbox players would eventually be able to buy and play games directly from the platform holder’s app “starting in November,” specifically on Android devices within the United States.

“Our team has the functionality developed and prepared to go live as soon as the court renders its final verdict,” she expressed the day prior. “We are excited to roll it out and provide more options and flexibility to gamers.”

This temporary hold appears to stem from the Epic Games vs. Google case, where the Fortnite developer secured victory in a jury trial last year.

Following Epic’s success, the judge mandated last month that Google open up its marketplace to other app stores and eliminate the requirement for developers to use Google Play Billing, which entitles the company to a 30% share of all transactions.

This was slated to begin on November 1; however, Google appealed and seems to have been granted a temporary stay before implementing changes to its mobile ecosystem.

In a statement to The Verge regarding the Xbox delay, Google spokesperson Dan Jackson remarked: “Microsoft has always had the capability to allow their Android users to play and buy Xbox games directly through their app – they simply chose not to.”

“The court’s ruling and any enforcement of its implementation endanger Google Play’s ability to provide a secure and trustworthy experience. Microsoft, akin to Epic, is disregarding these significant security concerns. We remain dedicated to fostering an ecosystem that benefits everyone.”