Microsoft may be preparing a major leap for PC gaming on Windows by integrating Steam into the Xbox app. According to a leaked interface mockup that appeared in a post on Microsoft's own Game Dev blog, the Xbox app is getting a new look that stays consistent across TVs, tablets, and handheld devices. The most notable detail is a Steam filter for sorting games, shown prominently next to the game library.
The Verge quickly spotted the image before it was taken down. Microsoft has not yet commented officially. According to sources close to the matter, however, this is not a mix-up.
The Xbox app on Windows will support other launchers such as Steam and Epic Games
According to the leak, the upcoming Xbox app update will display every game installed on a PC, including games from Steam and the Epic Games Store. The move fits with Phil Spencer's earlier hints about bringing PC stores like Epic and Itch.io to Xbox consoles.
With this integration, the Xbox app on Windows could work as a hub that pulls all your games together, much like GOG Galaxy does. It also suggests Microsoft is aiming for a consistent gaming experience across devices, from consoles to PCs and handhelds.
Competing with SteamOS and the future of Xbox: will Windows get closer than ever?
As SteamOS broadens its audience with handheld devices, Microsoft appears to be responding by designing the Xbox app interface around a console-style experience. That could help Windows users get better optimization on new gaming handhelds.
In addition, a source cited by Windows Central says Microsoft plans to gradually move Xbox to a Win32 environment instead of continuing with the "ERA" platform used by Xbox One and Series X|S. The shift is aimed at optimizing for game developers who are already used to working on PC, but it also raises concerns about backward compatibility.
Will Microsoft succeed in catching up on PC gaming?
Microsoft potentially bringing Steam into the Xbox app on Windows soon is a big effort to take on SteamOS in the handheld gaming and Windows PC market. A unified interface, the ability to gather games from multiple launchers, and multi-device support would be major pluses.
However, to make the Xbox app the heart of the PC gaming trend, Microsoft will need to show a lot more in stability, compatibility, and performance. Whether users embrace this new feature or stay loyal to SteamOS and GOG remains a question that only time can answer.
