A Glimpse into the Future of Xbox on PC
Microsoft appears to be making significant strides in enhancing Microsoft’s Xbox App for PC, with a possible integration of Steam into its gaming ecosystem. A recently leaked interface mockup, which was quickly taken down, suggested a new feature that could allow Xbox users to filter and access their Steam game library directly from the Xbox app.
The leak was first spotted by The Verge, which noted that Microsoft published and then removed a blog post that included an image showcasing this potential feature. This aligns with Microsoft’s broader efforts to streamline PC gaming and create a more unified experience across Windows-based gaming devices.
This development comes amid Microsoft’s work on Project Kennan, a partner handheld gaming device initiative involving OEMs such as ASUS. The goal is to make Windows a more suitable platform for handheld gaming devices, similar to the Steam Deck. Unlike SteamOS, Windows has traditionally lacked a seamless handheld gaming interface, but Microsoft is actively working to change that with new Microsoft’s Xbox App features.
Steam Integration: A Strategic Move or a Design Mistake?
The leaked image prominently featured a Steam filter within the Xbox app, a function that currently does not exist. While the Xbox Game Bar already allows users to launch recently played Steam games in compact mode, there is no full-scale integration that lets players browse their entire Steam library directly from the Microsoft’s Xbox App.
There are two possible explanations for this leak. It could be an aspirational design concept created by Microsoft’s UI team, meaning it was simply a visualization of what the app could look like in the future. Alternatively, it could hint at a much larger collaboration between Microsoft and Valve, possibly allowing Steam to be natively accessible on Xbox consoles as well.
The presence of Xbox consoles in the leaked image has fueled speculation that Microsoft could be working toward bringing Steam not just to its PC app but also to Xbox consoles. If true, this would mark a major shift in gaming accessibility, breaking down platform barriers and expanding the Xbox ecosystem beyond its exclusive titles.
The Future of Xbox and Windows Gaming
Regardless of whether the leak was a mistake or an early preview of upcoming features, it highlights Microsoft’s growing commitment to bridging the gap between Xbox and PC gaming. Xbox head Phil Spencer has previously emphasized that handheld gaming devices like ASUS’s ROG Ally and other partner systems should offer a console-like Xbox experience.
Additionally, reports suggest that Microsoft is planning to phase out the Xbox One/Series X|S “ERA” development environment in favor of Win32-based game development, which could have long-term implications for backward compatibility and game preservation. Emulation is being explored as a solution, but legal challenges with third-party game publishers remain an obstacle.
While it remains unclear if Microsoft will officially integrate Steam into Microsoft’s Xbox App or if this was merely an internal design test, the leak has undoubtedly stirred excitement among gamers. Microsoft has yet to comment on the speculation, but with Windows gaming evolving rapidly, more announcements could be on the horizon.
