Microsoft Reveals and Retracts Xbox UI Mockup with Steam Games Tab

Microsoft has inadvertently revealed a potential new feature in the Xbox UI that would allow players to view all their PC games installed via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and other platforms. This glimpse into the future of Xbox was uncovered in a prematurely published blog post titled "Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox." The post, which was later edited to remove the revealing image, featured various devices showcasing the Xbox ecosystem. Among these, a small tab labeled "Steam" was visible on some screens, as first reported by The Verge.

The inclusion of Steam in an Xbox UI mockup is significant, especially since Valve's platform traditionally operates independently of Microsoft's gaming hardware. According to The Verge, Microsoft is in the early stages of developing an update that would not only integrate Steam but also other PC game storefronts. This would enable users to see all their installed games and the platforms from which they were purchased directly from their Xbox interface. However, given the early stage of development, it may be some time before such a feature becomes available, if at all.

This development aligns with Microsoft's ongoing efforts to expand its gaming ecosystem across multiple platforms. In recent years, Microsoft has released titles like Pentiment and Grounded on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, and there are persistent rumors about the Master Chief Collection making its way to PlayStation. The company's "This is an Xbox" campaign further emphasizes the versatility of Xbox gaming, highlighting how players can enjoy Xbox games on a variety of devices.

In an interview with Polygon, 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 in 2027, will resemble a PC more closely than any previous Xbox console.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The accidental reveal of the Steam tab in the Xbox UI underscores Microsoft's ambition to further integrate PC and console gaming, reflecting a broader strategy to make gaming more accessible and interconnected across different platforms.