Microsoft Leak Reveals Some Kind Of Big Link Between Xbox And PC

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It seems that Microsoft may intend to strengthen the connection between Xbox consoles and personal computers further.

Microsoft recently shared a game development blog post titled “Unlocking a Billion Opportunities with Xbox,” offering a glimpse into the future plans for Xbox, emphasizing their dedication to cross-device connectivity. Nevertheless, some astute observers might argue that Microsoft unintentionally revealed more than intended in this preview.

A tiny tag reading “Steam” was noticed by The Verge, through IGN’s findings, on an image depicting multiple devices, each showcasing a potential new design for the Xbox user interface.

Since then, the image has been swapped out, implying that Microsoft is holding off on displaying it publicly for now.

In the image provided, the Steam tab stands out prominently on the TV screen, positioned right above the grid of games. Interestingly, it also appears on the tablet and mobile UI versions. It appears deliberately placed, even though the image appears to be a mockup. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice some games being listed twice; however, this seeming repetition doesn’t detract from the intentional inclusion of the Steam tab in the display.

What Could It Mean?

Historically, there hasn’t been any direct link between Steam and Xbox. Over the past few years, Microsoft has made its games available on Steam, but each platform operates as a distinct storefront and application on PC.

Based on information from The Verge, it appears that Microsoft intends to revise the Xbox application so it can display all games installed on your personal computer, encompassing titles bought via Steam and the Epic Games Store. In essence, this endeavor mirrors the concept behind GOG Galaxy.

It appears that this proposed app upgrade might be quite some time coming, and whether or not the Steam integration ultimately becomes a part of the finished product remains uncertain.

Previously, the leader of Xbox, Phil Spencer, voiced his intent to incorporate third-party digital marketplaces similar to Steam onto Xbox gaming consoles.

For quite a while now, there’s been a sense of uncertainty about the future role of Xbox as a console brand, as Microsoft appears to be exploring possibilities that go beyond the traditional console limitations.

It appears that if the intention behind their leak is to replicate the strategy on PC gaming stores, or even to make console and PC experiences more indistinguishable, this could be a logical progression from the way they’ve been releasing first-party Xbox games across multiple platforms.

For now, we can merely conjecture about what Microsoft is developing for their Xbox application and user interface, as they have not yet disclosed this information.

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2025-03-21 20:50