There was a time when gaming was incredibly restricted. At first, only the most powerful computer hardware could do anything close to gaming. Then, arcades, computers, and the first console generations made gaming possible for the masses. In the 90s, gaming handhelds were all the rage. Then, after their technology got boosted, cell phones became a place where gaming could happen on the go and with a simple download from a store. Today, mobile gaming is one of the biggest money makers for certain developers, and countries like Japan revel in that type of gaming. That might explain the newest plan from Microsoft.

Many have noticed that while Microsoft has been focused on their Xbox line of systems and expanding their roster regarding dev teams, they’re also thinking outside the box when possible. The best example is Xbox Game Pass, the service that trumps all other gaming services, and they’ve been putting it on multiple platforms, so gamers can easily access it. But now, a new report states that the company is working on a mobile gaming platform tied to the Xbox.

For lack of a better term, this Xbox Mobile Store is considered a new rival to the Google and Apple stores that already dominate the mobile market. History fans will find this somewhat funny as Xbox was the “third wheel” at first in the console market, and now they’re trying to do the same with the mobile market.

Some might recall that Microsoft teased that they were working on a new “next-generation” store coming out next year and that they were already making titles for it. So this Xbox Mobile Store would appear to be what they are teasing.

But why are we finding out about this now? That’s because the company is currently trying to finalize its sale of Activision-Blizzard. In filings for the UK, the store was brought up, and it was further noted that Activision, as well as King Games, would be the backbone of their mobile gaming store in terms of content at first.

“The transaction will improve Microsoft’s ability to create a next-generation game store which operates across a range of devices, including mobile as a result of the addition of Activision Blizzard’s content. Building on Activision Blizzard’s existing communities of gamers, Xbox will seek to scale the Xbox Store to mobile, attracting gamers to a new Xbox Mobile Platform.”

In those same filings, they admit that trying to rival Google and Apple will be challenging, but that’s why they want this acquisition to go through, as they’ll be able to utilize big-name brands to help show how serious they are to the mobile market.

If nothing else, you have to admit they’re bold! Whether it works out or not remains to be seen.

Source: The Verge