Analyst Predicts Xbox to Launch an Android Store in 2024, Release Later on Apple Devices - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 03 January 2024 / 5,034 Views
Newzoo analyst Tom Wijman speaking with GamesIndustry has released his predictions for 2024. He is predicting Xbox will launch its own Android store sometime in 2024, which will release at a later date on Apple devices.
"Our prediction is that Xbox will launch an Android store in 2024, and later debut on Apple devices, "said Wijman. "Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard (including King) would position it head-to-head with Apple and Google.
"The regulatory changes provide opportune timing as they force lower boundaries for competitive app stores. However, breaking into Apple's closed App Store ecosystem may require additional intervention, so it could hinder simultaneous app store launches."
Epic Games last month won its antitrust lawsuit against Google that could lead to major changes on Android devices in the coming years.
The lawsuit from Epic Games was filed in 2020 and claims Google created a monopoly with its Google Play Store on Android as more than 95 percent of Android apps were distributed through the store.
The main complaint from Epic is that Google takes a 30 percent revenue share from any app available on the Google Play Store and the requirement the apps have to use Google Play's own billing system. This meant developers couldn't make money without going through Google.
Epic and Google will meet with the Judge this month to discuss possible remedies.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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If MS can get an in on phones then great, allowing competition will help overall on those markets but hope it's not just limited to games. Gaming is just a part of a sea of available applications, both paid and free, so hope they can offer more.
It will probably be games only. I'm with you but there is close to 0% chance of this happening...
Games only seems like a likely starting point. But I don't know why it would have to stop there.
What would be the point? Microsoft Apps are free and get WAY more visibility on the App Store. People will very likely look there to get their apps rather than thinking of downloading a "Microsoft" app store first. Makes just no sense.
The point is to not have to give 30% to Apple... For Games, they can have a "GamePass" app (which people know) and do not need to give 30%. It makes just way more sense for games.
If competing app stores are going to be able to exist in a profitable way, MS seems like someone likely to enter that business. They don't have to only distribute their own apps.
True, and again don't get me wrong,. I would love it.
I simply don't see any value for Microsoft in the short or even medium term. There is simply no way for them to "attract" people to buy apps from their store compared to Microsoft. The hill is pretty stiff... But for gaming, there is def. a sensitive; when Call of Duty mobile and cie are going to be available only through their store; people will install it... For apps, I see no reason, that's all.
At this point we can agree to disagree because we cannot really know, but in my opinion, Microsoft is not going to do that before a while (if they do it at all).
I dunno. Amazon has an Appstore on Android and still offers their apps in the Play Store. These things aren't exclusive. So MS can start an XBox Store and still has it's app in the play store.
yah true, did not think of that, but what do you think the benefits would be for Microsoft?
For games, I get it, for apps.. I don't know, I would really not waste any resources on that if I would be Microsoft... But again, me personally, I would use it just to avoid giving money to Apple haha :D
Yeah, they cut out the middleman and keep that percentages. Also, if that store is open for others, they instead are getting a cut. And it could tie into Gamepass. I suspect the acquisition of Activision is for mobile and I expect extended mobile offerings for GP, possibly a mobile tier if they have enough games to offer. Netflix already has a game subscription, and I think Apple and Google do as well. MS might want to join.
