Sarah Bond, head of Xbox, has announced that a feature enabling users to sell Xbox games through its Android app is fully developed. However, the launch has been postponed indefinitely due to legal restrictions tied to Google’s ongoing dispute with Epic Games.
Initially planned for release in November, the feature’s delay stems from a court decision related to the case. Bond clarified that this ruling is temporary and that Xbox will comply while awaiting further legal developments.
Posting on BlueSky, Bond emphasized that Xbox’s goal is to provide more choices for gamers. The company remains committed to introducing the feature once the legal situation allows.
“Our team has this functionality built and ready to launch as soon as the Court makes its final decision. We look forward to launching and giving players more choices and flexibility,” says the executive.
Google currently imposes a 30% fee on sales made through its platform, which creates significant challenges for companies like Microsoft (via Xbox), Epic Games, and others. This fee prevents them from selling games on Android devices without incurring substantial losses.
These companies aim to challenge and overturn what they see as an “unfair charge,” arguing that it restricts competition and limits options for developers and consumers. The ongoing legal battle is central to their efforts to create a more equitable digital marketplace.
Google’s answer to Xbox
To The Verge, Google’s representative – Dan Jackson – states that Microsoft and Xbox are not launching the feature because they don’t want to.
“Microsoft has always been able to offer Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the app. They just choose not to release it,” reveals Jackson.
He reveals that all these movements and statements are intended to destabilize the experience provided by Google on the Play Store:
“The Court’s order and the rush to force its implementation threaten Google’s ability to provide a safe and secure experience. Microsoft, like Epic, are ignoring these very real security concerns. We will continue to focus on supporting an ecosystem that works for everyone, not just two of the biggest gaming companies.”
Understand the confusion between Xbox, Epic Games, and Google
Epic Games initiated its legal battle against Apple and Google to sell Fortnite items and skins without paying the high fees charged by their digital stores. Epic’s persistence paid off, as the courts ruled in its favor, allowing Fortnite and its in-app purchase system to return to mobile ecosystems.
In October, the courts decided that Google must open its marketplace to other app stores and eliminate the 30% fee. This change was slated to take effect on November 1st, but Google appealed the decision, obtaining a temporary suspension, which keeps the current system in place indefinitely.
This legal standoff is just one of several challenges Google is facing. The company is also scrutinized for allegedly monopolizing online search and violating antitrust laws through its Chrome browser. These cases highlight growing concerns about Google’s dominance across multiple sectors.
