Steam on Xbox? Microsoft's Next Console Might Be the Ultimate Hybrid

With its next-generation Xbox, Microsoft may be getting ready to completely change the way consoles work. New reports and persistent rumors in the industry say that the upcoming hardware could be more than just a regular console. It could be a full-fledged Windows-based PC-console hybrid that can run not only Xbox games but also Steam games, PlayStation PC ports, and even emulators.

Even though the idea has been around for almost a year, it really took off at the end of last year. There was a lot of talk about a system that could sideload services like Steam, and this new report gives the rumors even more support.

A rumor spread that people inside Microsoft are testing how to connect Steam to the Microsoft Store. If this is true, it could be a big step toward making Steam a built-in feature on the next Xbox, instead of just a hidden app. There's a chance that Steam could be installed right from the Xbox home screen, making it easy to switch between console and PC modes.

What does this mean, and why does it matter so much?

It's said that the rumored Xbox is more than just a console. The idea is more like the Steam Deck: a computer that starts up with a console-like interface (in this case, the Xbox OS or PC app), but it actually runs Windows. That means it could technically run anything a Windows PC can, even games from different platforms, like PlayStation's PC ports.

One question that comes up a lot with this idea is whether Sony would even let its games be on an Xbox-branded device. But if this new Xbox is only running Windows, then it wouldn't need any special permissions. PS4 games that are already sold on Steam or the Epic Games Store for PC should be able to run on this system just like they would on any other Windows computer. If Sony doesn't decide to take all of its games off PC, which doesn't seem likely, the next Xbox might be able to run God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and other popular PlayStation-only games.

According to rumors, this plan could make console games much more flexible. It would no longer be possible to only play Microsoft games on the Xbox. Instead, it might be the most universal gaming machine ever, able to play games from Microsoft, Sony, Valve, and more.

It goes even further. If users install the right software, the system might even be able to emulate games, which would make it even more useful for retro fans and power users.

People would really like the idea of an easy Steam installation process that is built right into the Xbox's interface. Regular PCs can run Steam and Game Pass without any problems, but they usually need more setup and tweaking. A hybrid Xbox that gives you this kind of access right out of the box with little setup work could appeal to both console fans and PC gamers who want ease of use over configuration.

Of course, none of this is confirmed by the government. Even though the internet has a mixed track record when it comes to leaks, getting some things right and others wrong, the fact that the reports are always the same and Microsoft's strategy of making Windows PCs friendly paint a compelling picture. The company already does cross-platform releases and cloud gaming. An Xbox that runs on Windows and can connect to all game systems would be the next step, even if it is risky.

But there are still a lot of questions. What price will Microsoft set for this system? Will it give you full access to Windows, or will it be sandboxed to keep things safe and simple? Will traditional console-only games still be important? And will this big hybrid idea work in the real world, or will it just add more choices to a market that's already full?

Even though there is a lot of uncertainty, one thing is becoming clearer: the line between PC and console is blurring. With their next move, Microsoft might have something for everyone, whether they use Game Pass or Steam, or just want one box that can play everything.

And if the rumors are even half true, the next Xbox might be the most flexible and compatible gaming system we've ever seen.