The media reported that Microsoft plans to build its own mobile game store for iPhones and Android smartphones as soon as next year if regulators approve its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
According to Microsoft’s gaming head Phil Spencer, the EU’s Digital Market Act (DMA), which takes effect in March 2024, will help the company fulfill its mobile app store ambitions, allowing companies to sell their apps on iPhone and Android phones. Will be able to load stores. Apple and Google will open their systems, reports financial Times.
“We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners on any screen,” Spencer is quoted as saying.
“Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices, but we want to build a world that we think will come where those devices open up,” he said.
Microsoft is battling regulators in the US, Europe and the UK who have raised concerns about the potential impact on competition of an Xbox console owner buying the developer of Call of Duty, one of the world’s most popular game franchises.
Last month, Microsoft formally received an antitrust warning from the European Union over its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard.
According to a report in Politico citing sources, the notice states that EU officials “set out the reasons why the deal could jeopardize fair competition on the video game market.”
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued tech giant Microsoft for acquiring major video game developer Activision Blizzard.
In addition, the report states that Spencer believes the deal will increase competition in what he calls “the biggest platform people play on” – the smartphone – where Apple and Google currently have some dominance. Antitrust officials call out “duplication” on distribution of games and others. apps.
“The Digital Markets Act that’s coming — those are things we’re planning for. I think it’s a huge opportunity,” he said.
The European Union is expected to designate Apple and Google as “gatekeepers” under the DMA, which would require them to change rules governing app distribution on iPhone and Android devices.
Although Big Tech companies could file an appeal, enforcement could be delayed beyond the March deadline, the report said.
Last month, the tech giant signed a 10-year contract with Japanese gaming giant Nintendo to bring Xbox games, including Call of Duty (CoD), to Nintendo’s gamers ahead of a hearing in the European Union.
– IANS
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