Microsoft is looking to develop an Xbox-branded mobile game store

Microsoft is hoping to carve its own space in the mobile gaming space. The company's filing with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reveals its plans to build a "next generation" Xbox store focusing on mobile devices. And its proposed Activision Blizzard merger is a big part of this plan, with Call of Duty Mobile and King's more casual games serving as a draw for gamers to flock to this new platform.

According to the company, the acquisition would boost its mobile gaming and ad revenue and offer "much needed expertise" in developing and marketing these titles. But it acknowledges it'll need a "major shift" in consumer habits to pull consumers away from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It plans to apply an open app store philosophy to this mobile shop with equal treatment for third-party apps and choices for in-app payments.

The CMA is investigating Microsoft's acquisition due to concerns that it might hurt competition. The strategy behind the filing isn't subtle. The company wants to convince UK regulators that its Activision Blizzard deal would preserve or improve competition, and the prospect of an Xbox mobile store could theoretically help. But we don't know yet if regulators will see it that way. Microsoft might also have a difficult time getting a third-party app store on iOS, so if this ever gets released, it might be an Android version.

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This WNBA court looks like an Xbox loading screen

Source: Microsoft

When the New York Liberty Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team plays against the Los Angeles Sparks this Tuesday and Wednesday, they will play on a court that looks like an Xbox loading screen. The basketball court is covered in Xbox logos and console-inspired designs. According to Microsoft, it's the league's "first gaming-inspired basketball court." Even the area under the net is made to look like the ventilation holes in the Xbox Series X.

Unsurprisingly, there's a metaverse component to this. The court is recreated in the Dunking Simulator Roblox experience. But, of course, it's a bit more fantastical than how real-life basketball is played.

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Xbox consoles will finally support Discord Voice chats

Source: Discord

Discord recently announced it's bringing voice chat integration to Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. This will allow Xbox owners to talk to their friends on Discord Voice chats from the console. Xbox Insider will be able to use the feature first, with the rest of the users getting access to it later. This feature will also allow you to transfer your voice call from the app (desktop or mobile) to the console via the Xbox mobile app.

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Microsoft's Xbox TV app will bring game streaming to smart TVs sans consoles

Source: Microsoft

If you have a supported 2022 Samsung Smart TV and in one of the 27 countries the new app supports, you'll be able to enjoy Xbox games even without a console. This upcoming Xbox TV app launching on June 30 will give Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers access to over 100 titles through the supported smart TVs. Streamed through the cloud via custom Xbox Series X hardware, the Xbox TV app just needs you to log into your Microsoft account in the app and stream games as you would through Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser.

Microsoft hasn't specified which countries will get the feature. But the company, together with Samsung, promises to support many controllers for the app, including different Xbox controllers, Sony DualSense, and more. You just need to connect the controller via Bluetooth to start gaming. 

If you're wondering about streaming resolution, Microsoft will limit this to 1080p at 60 frames per second. Microsoft is working with Samsung for this initial rollout. Still, it's unclear if it's coming to other brands or older Samsung televisions.

Source + Via