Xbox Chief Phil Spencer Envisions a Future with Multiple Digital Storefronts

Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, expressed his desire to see additional digital stores, such as the Epic Games Store and Itch.io, become available on the console. In a conversation with Polygon, Spencer indicated that he thinks gamers would profit from a wider range of options, citing the example of the Windows company and the flexibility it provides users in choosing their own experiences. He also pointed out that the console market is stagnant, and increasing the number of storefronts could encourage players to keep using them. Spencer emphasized the importance of removing barriers and friction for both creators and players, and he discussed Microsoft's plans to develop a mobile app store for games, a project that was initially announced in October 2022.