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· Posted on
February 21, 2024

Microsoft sets guidelines for hypothetical 'universal app store'

Following in the footsteps of the great Dua Lipa...Microsoft sets some new rules.

What's the key learning?

  • Microsoft are trying to get their Activision deal approved by regulators
  • So, Microsoft have got on the front foot with a set of principles called the Open App Principles
  • As the gaming industry evolves away from physical games to digital-only games, so too do the rules and principles guiding it.

Background: Microsoft recently announced a deal to acquire gaming company Activision (the crew behind Crash Bandicoot and Call of Duty) for US$69 billion. But the deal still needs to pass US regulators.

What happened: The regs have been coming down on big tech (think: Facebook & Google), so getting this deal over the line could be touch-and-go. 

What else: So, Microsoft have got on the front foot with a set of principles called the Open App Principles. It's kinda like the rules to a game developers utopia. 

So what's the key learning? 

💡As the gaming industry evolves away from physical games to digital-only games, so too do the rules and principles guiding it. 

💡The entire gaming industry's structure and business model is based on when we used to buy physical games...but with Apple's App Store and downloadable games, something's gotta give.  

💡US regulators came up with the Open App Markets Act, which says companies that operate app stores with more than 50 million users (hello Apple and Google) can't engage in anti-competitive behaviour. So, Microsoft's modelled their new principles off that...and will hopefully get the warm and fuzzies 🤗 going with regs.

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