It looks like Microsoft might be planning to connect Xbox consoles and PC even more than they already have.
Microsoft recently published a game devblog posttitled “Opening a Billion Doors With Xbox," giving readers a sneak peek at what the future holds forXboxand its commitment to cross-device compatibility. However, some keen-eyed readers noticed that Microsoftmay have shown off more than they originally intended.
The Verge(viaIGN) spotted a small tab labeled “Steam” in an image showing various devices displaying a mockup of a new Xbox UI.
The image has since been replaced, which suggests that Microsoft didn’t want to show it off just yet.
you’re able to see the image below. The Steam tab is most visible on the TV, just above the grid of games, but it’s also there on the tablet and handheld versions of the UI. It’s pretty clearly just a mockup, and if you look closely, you’ll notice some games shown twice in the list, but the inclusion of the Steam tab doesn’t seem accidental.
What Could It Mean?
Historically, there’s been no connection between Steam and Xbox. They’re separate storefronts and apps on PC, even if Microsoft has been releasing their games on Steam for the past few years.
According to The Verge’s sources, Microsoft is planning to update the Xbox app to show every game installed on your PC, including those purchased through Steam and the Epic Games Store. This is similar to the vision behind GOG Galaxy.
However, this potential app update seems pretty far off, and only time will tell if this Steam integration will even make it to the final version.
Xbox Planning New Gaming Handheld For This Year, Next-Gen Consoles by 2027
A new report suggests that the Xbox brand is planning not one but several new hardware releases.
Last year, Xbox head Phil Spencerexpressed interest in bringing third-party PC storefronts, like Steam, to Xbox consoles.
The future of Xbox as a console brand has been uncertain for some time, with Microsoft seeminglytrying to move beyond the usual boundaries of consoles.
If the idea behind what they’ve leaked is to do something similar with PC storefronts or even to blur the lines between consoles and PC, it would seem like a logical extension of what they’re already doing with their multiplatform releases of first-party Xbox games.
Until then, though, we can only speculate until Microsoft is ready to reveal what it is they’re working on for the Xbox app and console UI.
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