The Xbox Game Store may make its way onto mobile platforms next year

Prior to the GDC 2023 conference, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, gave an interview with the Financial Times and stated that if Microsoft could successfully convince regulatory agencies to approve the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, they would launch the Xbox Game Store on mobile devices next year.

Spencer expressed his hope to provide Xbox and third-party partner content on any type of screen, and players also want to play games on every device they own. However, Microsoft cannot currently achieve this on mobile devices, but they look forward to building a world where these devices are all open. If you want to continue to operate a global large-scale gaming business, the key is to meet the players’ demands for gaming methods, and mobile phones are becoming more and more important. However, it is clear that Microsoft has not done enough in this regard.

In addition, Microsoft is also waiting for the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which will force Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhones and iPads, breaking with the tradition of iOS products for over a decade. If Apple intends to comply with the EU’s ruling, this will be a huge opportunity for Microsoft.

If regulatory agencies approve Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft will accelerate its efforts and the Xbox Game Store will soon be available on mobile devices, offering games like Call of Duty Mobile, Diablo Immortal, and Candy Crush Saga to players. Microsoft is also waiting for the results of the second phase of the investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), while rumors suggest that the EU is leaning towards approving the deal.