 |
| Microsoft is trying to protect the Activision Blizzard deal |
Microsoft has made multiple commitments to manage its digital storefront in a way that is friendlier to outside developers and is protecting Activision Blizzard's $69 billion deal.
The company wants to make sure it is more open than its high-value peers, as regulators and politicians look for ways to curb anti-competitive behaviour.
The company released the App Store Principles, which detail the policies of competitors such as Google and Apple, which have come under scrutiny by lawmakers and regulators around the world.
The principles also aim to allay regulators' concerns about the company's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and end potential antitrust actions on the deal.
Microsoft announced the move just weeks after it announced plans to buy the video game maker for $68.7 billion.
Activision Blizzard owns Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Diablo, and World of Warcraft. The deal increases the number of Microsoft Game Studios from 23 to 30.
If completed, it would also be the largest contract for a US technology company. In recent years, elected officials have shown a greater willingness to champion high-quality technology companies.
"This deal requires careful review to ensure it does not harm American workers or their competitors," the House Judiciary Committee Chairman said. For its part, the company confirmed that the merger would make it the third largest player in the gaming industry in terms of revenue. Is, only after Tencent and Sony.
While Microsoft faced antitrust pressure in the 1990s for its dominance of the Windows operating system, it received less attention from lawmakers under CEO Satya Nadella.
Microsoft deal worth $69 billion
The company said it will not use non-public information from its app store to compete with other developer programs. The company's policy is that it gives all developers access to its app store if it meets their criteria.
It also constantly enforces the store's marketing rules and does not give its app or those of its partners any advantage over others. Windows users can still use other app stores and third-party apps downloaded from the web.
Developers do not need to use Microsoft Payments for in-app payments. The company announced in September that Store apps for Windows will no longer require developers to share revenue with Windows when developers use its payment system.
Last year, the company reduced its share of video game sales via the Windows App Store to 12%. This makes it more competitive with Epic Games.
The Microsoft App Store for Windows debuted in 2012 with the launch of Windows 8. That's more than three years after Apple introduced the App Store for iPhones. Since 2005, the software giant has also introduced a digital marketplace via Xbox.