Microsoft has shared a picture showcasing a new UI alongside a smartphone, tablet, handheld, and Xbox Series consoles. In it, we see different categories, including Owned and Game Pass, but most importantly, Steam, hinting at a potential PC integration. Part of an Xbox blog post, this picture was removed shortly after, but all it took was someone to spot and screenshot to immortalise it forever.
This is an especially interesting find considering Microsoft’s recent talk about combining the best of what Xbox and Windows have to offer. Add to that the brand’s strategy shift, which focusses more on software development and services rather than hardware manufacturing, and this picture starts to look plausible. A Steam store integration on Xbox doesn’t sound that outlandish at a time when exclusive titles such as Forza and Sea of Thieves are available on PS5.
Furthermore, if the ongoing rumours regarding a portable Xbox handheld are correct, Microsoft will have to integrate alternative stores to compete with established machines like the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. So, in order to maintain a harmonious UI between all its platforms, Xbox consoles could also get the same categories, which include Steam in this instance.
Of course, this could simply be a still from Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox app update that will present every game detected on your PC – from Steam, Epic Games, etc. similar to what GOG does. Still, with the shared picture showing Xbox consoles and no PC, plus aspects like the remaining SSD space and controller-optimised layout, it certainly looks like a console development.
Now, the question is if Xbox gets a Steam category, what exactly would it offer? If it includes purchasable games, then the elephant in the room is that controversial 30% cut that both Valve and Microsoft demand from publishers in order to house their games on respective platforms. Blending them together could see inflation unless one storefront is willing to back down.
This isn’t the only quandry, either. Will Xbox consoles add some sort of Windows compatibility layer like SteamOS? Will it instead offer games you already own on Steam at no extra cost or a reduced price? There are many unknowns.
While we hope this is indeed in the works or at least a considered feature by Xbox’s team, it could just as well be a simple drafting mistake. It wouldn’t be the first time an artist added something wrong to a promotional poster. What is sure is that no one would mind having an alternative store on their console, even if the available list doesn’t bring exclusive titles.
