Microsoft, which has made great strides in the gaming world with Xbox, seems to be finally taking a step into mobile gaming. New reports revealed that Microsoft and Xbox are in talks with an app store. This store is intended to be game-oriented and rival Apple.

Microsoft to rival App Store and Play Store with Xbox

Microsoft wants to challenge the mobile gaming dominance of the App Store and Google Play Store. In this context, it was stated that the company is working with game studios to launch its own mobile app store. Xbox President Phil Spencer confirmed the reports.

CEO Spencer did not give a specific release date, but said that the store will be an important part of Microsoft’s gaming strategy. He also emphasized that it is a higher priority for the company than being “a few years away”.

Mobile gaming is a huge market, worth an estimated $90 billion worldwide, but one in which Microsoft currently has a relatively small presence. The Xbox store will give developers and gamers more choice in how mobile games are distributed and monetized.

Xbox launching its own store will allow games like Halo and Forza to reach gamers on iOS and Android. On the other hand, Microsoft could also use Activision-Blizzard, which owns popular games like Candy Crush and Call of Duty, in this market.

CEO Spencer wants to lure developers with low commissions in the face of Apple and Google’s dominance. Currently, it is known that both the App Store and the Play Store take up to 30 percent commissions on application revenues. It seems possible for Microsoft to bring Xbox to the mobile world by offering more options.