Microsoft had big plans to roll out some fresh features for its Xbox app on Android through the Google Play Store by the end of 2024. However, it seems users will now have to wait until next year to see these updates. This delay was confirmed by Xbox president Sarah Bond on social media, where she explained that the hold-up is due to an administrative stay granted by U.S. courts. This decision has forced Microsoft to postpone enabling Xbox app users on Android to purchase and play games directly through the app. Just last month, Bond had announced these features would be arriving in November, following a court ruling that required Google to open its app store to third-party competition.
“At Xbox, we’re dedicated to giving players more options for how and where they play, including buying and playing games straight from the Xbox app,” Bond shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. She added that the team’s goal was to roll out these features via the Google Play Store in the U.S., and then expand as other app stores catch up with consumer needs.
Unfortunately, due to this temporary legal obstacle, they’re unable to proceed as planned. Bond reassured users, stating, “Our team is ready with the functionality so we can go live immediately once the court gives the green light. We’re itching to launch and provide players with more flexibility and choice.”
This setback is surely a hiccup in Microsoft’s broader strategy to bring mobile gaming fully into the Xbox sphere. But since Bond noted the stay is only temporary, it seems to be a minor hurdle in the grand scheme. Microsoft’s initiatives are progressing, with growing regulatory attention on Google and Apple’s app store dominance, and Xbox Cloud Gaming proving a hit on mobile devices through the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Another exciting development is Xbox Cloud Gaming’s “Stream Your Own Game” feature, which allows users to stream 50 games they’ve purchased, even if they aren’t part of the Xbox Game Pass library. More titles will likely be added over time, expanding player choices even further.
Microsoft and Xbox still face significant challenges. Their much-talked-about handheld device is confirmed, but it’s still years away from reality. Additionally, they’ve postponed the launch of their mobile gaming store to conduct more market research, with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer highlighting the need for a strategic approach to attract users. “If we just hope that they’ll show up if we build it, we’re betting wrong,” he said. There’s also room for improvement compared to competitors; for instance, Xbox Cloud Gaming has yet to match the reliability of NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Xbox Play Anywhere’s cross-progression remains limited, challenges that Microsoft will undoubtedly need to tackle.
Despite these obstacles, Microsoft and Xbox are entering 2025 with considerable momentum. Blockbuster games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and STALKER 2 have launched successfully, and with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle nearing, plus Obsidian Entertainment’s eagerly awaited Avowed on the horizon, the Xbox platform is thriving. Noteworthy is the arrival of third-party games this year, including the surprise inclusion of Death Stranding, a title that was once exclusive to PlayStation.
These successes pave the way for potential improvements and new services as Microsoft’s strategy to bring Xbox experiences to as many screens as possible unfolds. The hope is that this temporary legal delay won’t last, allowing Xbox to continue expanding its reach efficiently. Overall, Microsoft has great opportunities ahead and needs to capitalize on making Xbox games accessible across a wide array of platforms, a critical first step in their path to ongoing success.
