Microsoft Unveils Xbox UI with Steam Games Tab, Quickly Retracts

Microsoft has inadvertently revealed what seems to be an upcoming Xbox UI update that would enable players to view all the PC games they've installed via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and other platforms. This potential feature was prematurely disclosed in a blog post titled "Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox." The post, as reported by The Verge, contained an image showcasing Xbox Series X | S consoles alongside various devices. Upon closer examination, a "Steam" tab was visible on some of the device screens, hinting at integration with Valve's PC storefront.

Although easily overlooked, the presence of Steam in an Xbox UI context is unusual, given that there's no current functionality linking Valve's platform to Microsoft's gaming hardware in this manner. The image was subsequently removed from the blog post, indicating that the Xbox team did not intend for it to be public at this stage.

According to The Verge's sources, Microsoft is actively developing an update that would not only connect users to their Steam libraries but also to other PC storefronts. This update would allow players to see all games installed on their PCs and identify the platforms from which they were purchased. However, the project is reportedly in its early stages, so any rollout is likely some time away, if it happens at all.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The inclusion of Steam in an official Xbox UI mockup, even if accidental, is noteworthy. Microsoft has been gradually expanding its gaming ecosystem to include PC and other platforms over the past decade. Notable examples include titles like Pentiment and Grounded being released on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, with rumors suggesting that the Master Chief Collection might also make its way to PlayStation.

Microsoft's strategy has been to increasingly merge the Xbox and PC gaming experiences. The recent "This is an Xbox" campaign highlighted the variety of devices on which Xbox games can be played. In an interview with Polygon last year, Xbox head Phil Spencer hinted at a future where PC stores like Itch.io and the Epic Games Store could be accessible on Xbox hardware.

Moreover, reports suggest that Microsoft's next-generation Xbox, expected around 2027, will resemble a PC more closely than any previous Xbox model.