Xbox president Sarah Bond announced that players will be able to buy games directly from the Xbox app on Android starting in November. It’s one of the first consequences we’re aware of following the recent antitrust ruling against Google brought by Epic Games.

“The court’s decision to open Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more options and flexibility.”said a Microsoft executive in an ad in X. “Our mission is to enable more players to play on more devices, so we’re excited to announce that starting in November, players will be able to play and buy Xbox games directly from the Xbox app for Android.”.

The announcement comes after a US judge on Monday ordered Google to stop forcing developers to use Google Play’s billing system. The decision forces Google to open up its app store to its competitors and give Android users more options.

Google will have to change the way it runs Google Play starting November 1 and for three years. Google will also not be able to pay developers to publish their apps exclusively on its app store, according to the ruling. You’ll also need to allow third-party app stores access to the Google Play app catalog, and you’ll need to include third-party apps in your app store.

Xbox app for Android, just the beginning

Microsoft will now be able to sell Android games without being obligated to pay Google a portion of the revenue from in-app purchasesas usually happens in business. Bond didn’t share any other details or information about what games will be available, but right now that’s the least important thing and what it means for Microsoft and other Google competitors like Epic Games, which won the case.

You already know that court decisions in these cases could override operating rules digital stores (in many millions of dollars). The CEO of Epic Games described Google as “a ruthless bully who resorted to dubious techniques to protect a predatory payment system,” pointing to the monopoly power (which in his opinion) has in Android software distribution and in in-app billing services.

Google said in response to the ruling files an appeal and will ask the courts to suspend the ordered changes, arguing that “it would undermine Android’s ability to compete with Apple’s iOS”. The App Store is another one in the sack. It’s the most profitable app store on the planet and a must-have Apple’s multi-billion dollar mobility business.

Google (and Apple) are betting on the very functioning of large mobile app stores with these requirements, essential today for developers who want to distribute their games, but always questioned because of their complexity and cost.