Steam Support On Xbox Could Be Microsoft's Next Big Move

There have been rumors that Steam support on Xbox could be coming, and Microsoft might have mistakenly suggested that Steam integration might be possible on the next Xbox consoles. This could imply a significant change in the landscape of console games.

A Steam option is shown alongside filters, including Install, Game Pass, and a recently added mock-up image of the Xbox user interface contained in a recently published official blog post. This spurred a lot of fan debate. Furthermore, even if the graphic was soon deleted, its fleeting appearance sparked interest in the prospect of Steam becoming compatible with Xbox devices.

Microsoft's ongoing attempts to include gaming experiences across the Windows and Xbox platforms line well with this disclosure, which also fits those endeavors. With major first-party products like Gears 5 and the Age of Empires series available through Valve's marketplace, the business has shifted its posture on Steam during the past few years.

Xbox's CEO, Phil Spencer, already underlined this inclination by saying, "We believe you should have a choice in where you buy your PC games". The growing integration of cross-platform elements, such as Xbox cloud saves—which are now compatible with some Steam titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—has helped solidify this idea. This interoperability lets players move between the two games without losing any advancement in either one.

Microsoft's aim of building a more open gaming ecosystem suggests that Steam integration is not totally off the table. Apart from pushing the spread of Game Pass and cloud gaming, the firm has indicated that it is eager to dismantle conventional platform exclusivity. Should Steam formally launch on Xbox, Microsoft would have a chance to confirm its leadership as the most flexible and open gaming platform. This would offer an experience unequaled by either PlayStation or Nintendo.

The alleged creation of a dedicated handheld Xbox device, under the codename Keenan and slated to be unveiled in the latter half of the year 2025, adds another element to the assumption. Assuming it is real, this gadget is probably able to run Windows and manage outside apps like Steam. It would thus be directly competitive with the ASUS ROG Ally and the Steam Deck. A game-changer, an Xbox-branded portable gadget supporting Steam, would help blur the line between consoles and PCs. This is because mobile gaming PCs are becoming really popular nowadays.

Microsoft has not yet commented on the alleged Steam tab in the Xbox user interface. The image was most likely only a placeholder or an internal design, never meant for public exhibition. However, if more information were to come to light in the near future, it would not be shocking if Microsoft prioritized accessibility across numerous platforms. Since it will fundamentally change the way Xbox console gaming interacts with the PC ecosystem, the integration of Steam might be a defining event for Xbox.