Summary
Microsoft may have accidentally revealed thatXboxconsoles will get Steam support in the future. As Sony and Nintendo have surged ahead in terms of console sales, Microsoft has focused on expanding its software services to new markets, including handhelds, smart TVs, and mobile platforms. It now seems like it may take that software and third-party support even further by letting fans access Steam games from theXboxapp down the road.
As competitive as the console wars can be, Microsoft has shown it’s not afraid to play nice with competitors' systems. Its emphasis on Game Pass shows it’s not too concerned about driving people to play on their own hardware exclusively. It may not need such exclusivity anyway, as PlayStation usersaccounted for 64% of Microsoft game salesin December 2024, which helped it become the world’s leading video game publisher. Given such a history, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Xbox started supporting other game platforms within its own home screen in the name of convenience.
Microsoft detailed its commitment to gaming accessibility in a March 20 blog post but may have initially revealed more than it wanted to. Ina now-deleted image acquired by The Verge, a mock-up of a reworked Xbox UI shows a category for Steam games in the user’s games library. The menu option shows up on a TV, suggesting Steam support on Xbox consoles, and on a tablet and an Asus ROG Ally. Microsoft has previously stated that it wants tocombine Xbox and Windows experiences on handhelds, so providing access to Steam games under the Xbox app on these devices could be part of that move toward greater functionality and user-friendliness.
Microsoft Promotional Image Shows Steam Games Category on Xbox App
The image could have been little more than an error. It does show some menu options listed twice and Microsoft has taken it down, so the presence of a Steam option may have been just a placeholder designers forgot to edit or remove. However, The Verge reports that insiders have told it that Microsoft is working on an update that would show all installed PC games in the Xbox app, including those from Steam. This move would make sense in light of the company’s larger business model, too. Microsoft depends heavily on software, which is howXbox was able to grow despite falling console salesin recent quarters, and letting users access Steam from Microsoft-made platforms would make its software that much more appealing.
Microsoft could alsorelease an Xbox handheld between late 2025 and 2027, which may provide an ideal opportunity to launch Steam support as a way to capitalize on the growing handheld market. Any such details are just speculation for now, though.
