Xbox Mobile Store for games may be launching soon

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What you need to know

  • Earlier in the year, Xbox president Sarah Bond announced that the Xbox Mobile Store would be launching at some point in July 2024. 
  • A web page for the Xbox Mobile Store has been spotted, with the description that is coming soon and thanking users for taking part in the Xbox Insiders program.
  • The Xbox Mobile Store will begin with first-party games like Candy Crush and Minecraft, with third-party games being added at a later date.

As a long-time Xbox gamer and tech enthusiast, I’m excited to hear that the rumored Xbox Mobile Store might be launching soon. I’ve been following Microsoft’s gaming news closely for years, and the potential of playing Xbox games on my mobile device is an opportunity I’ve been eagerly anticipating.

It looks like some players may be able to play Xbox mobile games fairly soon. 

An Xbox Mobile Store webpage has emerged, as reported by @Klobrille. The page expresses gratitude to those who have enrolled in the Xbox Insiders program and hints at imminent access.

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In May, Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, revealed that the Xbox Mobile Store was planned to debut in July 2024. However, as of July 29, no definitive information has been shared about the launch date, and we are rapidly approaching the end of July.

During that period, Bond announced that the new marketplace would initially operate as an online platform, giving consumers a choice outside of the app markets operated by Apple and Google. Furthermore, Bond disclosed that the store’s inaugural offerings would consist of popular titles such as Candy Crush from King and Minecraft from Mojang, while third-party games from external developers would be introduced at a later stage.

Analysis: Huge questions and opportunity

As an analyst, I suspect we might hear some news about the Xbox Mobile Store launch within the next few days, enabling a late-month debut. Alternatively, there’s a chance of a slight delay, with an official announcement potentially taking place in August instead.

It’s a safe bet that we can look forward to some new announcements in the near future. The Xbox Insider program members may get first dibs on these updates, as suggested by this page. I’m eager to find out how long it will take for the wider user base to gain access after that. This timeline is crucial for expanding the reach of the store and attracting more casual users.

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There’s considerable debate currently about various aspects of the Xbox Mobile Store. These include concerns over its user-friendliness, the initial selection of games, and whether Xbox Game Pass can be utilized within it.

Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of mobile gaming for Xbox in the past. This emphasis on mobile gaming is a major factor behind Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. With this deal, Microsoft gains access to popular mobile games like Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and Diablo, which are part of Blizzard Entertainment and King’s extensive portfolios.

The mobile division at Microsoft’s newly acquired Bethesda Game Studios, now under union representation, contributes additional mobile development capabilities to Xbox with their ongoing project, The Elder Scrolls: Castles.

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2024-07-29 20:09