The long-rumored Xbox mobile store is still very much in play, despite recent speculation suggesting the project might have cancelled. Despite evidence suggesting the project had been scrapped, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the mobile storefront remains a key part of the company’s “open” future. But, could this platform actually succeed?
The controversy began when Windows Central’s Jez Corden published a report suggesting the project was “thoroughly dead.” This was backed by findings from Better xCloud developer @RedPhx, who noted that previously active test URLs for the web-based store now return 404 errors.
Directly addressing the speculation, Sharma clarified the company’s position: “Three weeks ago, we filed an amicus because mobile competition still matters and we believe the future of play should be more open. While I am still learning, the idea of an Xbox mobile store is not dead.”
A New Hub for Cloud Gaming?
For the Xbox Cloud community, Sharma’s insistence that the store is alive opens the door for a more robust cloud gaming integration. Rather than just a place for mobile-native titles like Minecraft or Candy Crush, a dedicated Xbox store could serve as a platform for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
A native or optimized web-store would allow users to purchase cloud-compatible Xbox titles, and provide a more stable experience for streaming that isn’t hampered by browsers restrictions.
Sharma’s mention of an “amicus” refers to Microsoft’s ongoing legal support for opening up mobile ecosystems. It appears the Xbox Mobile Store is no longer just a what-if, but a key part in a broader legal and strategic battle to open up the Xbox ecosystem.
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