The Xbox Game Pass app will have some exclusive features on Samsung Galaxy devices, it has been revealed. The news comes after Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass and its game streaming service Project xCloud would be available on Android devices from next month.
The Verge reports that the Samsung Galaxy Store, which is a storefront only available on Samsung Galaxy devices, will feature a special version of the Xbox Game Pass app. This version of the app, the publication says, will support in-app purchases and microtransactions, something that the Google Play store version of the app does not. Several Xbox Game Pass games feature microtransactions, such as character skins, unlockable characters, and other cosmetics.
The deal likely offers Microsoft more favorable revenue rates on those in-app purchases. Google takes a 30% cut of all in-app purchases and Microsoft won't want to be handing so much money to a competitor, or lose such a huge amount of revenue. Another company that has campaigned against these app store fees is Fortnite developer Epic Games, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney going on a tirade against Apple's App Store fees just last week.
This is just one part of the partnership between Microsoft and Samsung. Samsung has also announced a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 bundle that comes with a free three-month Xbox Game Pass subscription. It's unclear whether this will bring in any new Xbox Game Pass subscribers, but it could make Samsung Galaxy devices the most favorable way for mobile gamers to access the service.
Source: The Verge