MS Rumored to Be Testing Steam Integration Within MS Store (Potentially for Next-Gen Xbox, Too)

Microsoft may have begun internally testing Steam integration within the Microsoft Store environment, with the intention of eventually bringing it to the next-generation Xbox console.

[Obscure_Observer]

Xbox + Steam = Instant Buy!

Day One!!!

[OtterX]

I already have one. It can do mods and VR too... it's called my PC.

[VenomUK]

Now Xbox players who’ve been dying to play PlayStation games will choose to play Spider-Man, The Last of Us and God of War. Horizon: Zero Dawn - not so much.

[Sonic1881]

@Venom

It's being claimed Sony can block their games from being available on Microsoft's hybrid console/PC that will have Steam on it. I saw it on Twitter by a well known source

[Profchaos]

It's Xbox PC app not console think of it like the current gog app

[Obscure_Observer]

Even if in a limited fashion, It will allow integration with Steam so Xbox console gamers will get access to their Steam library and get to play some PC only games, which is awesome news for console only player like myself.

[crazyCoconuts]

Yes, they'll be able to play PC only games because.... they will have bought a PC

[Eonjay]

@Obscure_Observer

I don't think that is going to happen. It sounds like you think PC games are coming to Xbox. What this is is just bring PC to.... PC.

[crazyCoconuts]

Well IF they can get the emulator to work, bringing Xbox to PC. Whether or not you call this Windows dressing a console is debatable. This will definitely get them out of the console business though

[Obscure_Observer]

"Yes, they'll be able to play PC only games because.... they will have bought a PC"

Being hearing such clueless talk since 2001 when the original Xbox introduced hard drive and broadband internet to consoles.

Some people will just hate and fear what they can´t comprehend.

@Eonjay

"I don't think that is going to happen. It sounds like you think PC games are coming to Xbox. What this is is just bring PC to.... PC."

Then why spend so much money to make Xbox consoles a part of the equation? Seriously dude, your comment doesn't even make sense and defies any reasonable logic..

[IRetrouk]

Microsoft did not introduce broadband or harddrive use in consoles, they did standardise it though.
As for the rest, you had the same response to ms becoming a 3rd party publisher....didn't believe it untill ms told you to, didn't like it till ms told you to...
You won't be getting steam on a console ecosystem, stop dreaming, infact the next console is up in the air, you'll be lucky to get an oem arm device at best and at worst, a pc with an xbox sticker....
Told you already, they moving you hardcore xbox boys to pc...
You talking about logic is funny, especially when all you do is parrot what you hear from ms and pivot your opinion as much as they pivot their messaging to align with what they say, just buy a pc bro, it'll be easier for you going forward.

[1Victor]

@obscured: “ Xbox + Steam = Instant Buy!

Day One!!! “
.
Is there anything Xbox that isn’t day one for you?
Is your Xbox fridge working for you or frozen up with a red ring I remember you was going to get it day one.
Having steam integrated on the next market is a nice thing to have that would had been better a generation ago but better late than never 🤷🏿
Personally I will ALWAYS BUY A SYSTEM FOR THE GAMES NOT A STORE FRONT 🤦🏿

[badz149]

believe it or not, many pc gamers boycott games based on the storefronts. Steam or no buy according to many of them

[Eonjay]

I honestly don't get the point of this. There is already a Steam Store on PC so adding it to the MS store seems redundant. Also this doesn't really mention Xbox.

[Profchaos]

This is just a simple integration on the Xbox app for PC to see both libraries at the same time gog already offers this.

In the future the next box will not run Xbox software but instead it will Run uwp apps to unify PC and console.

It presents a number of problems like the steamdeck verification system and requiring a wrapper for third parties but it means you don't have to Dev for a console anymore and just Dev for PC

Means that backwards compatibility has to be offered via a translation layer like wine to and full BC is not a given.

It's a interesting take but I see it only working short term like steam deck getting a steam deck verified game is getting harder and the system is only a few years old

[Sonic1881]

Sounds more like a PC with the Xbox and steam logo on it 😂 I'm sure it's going to be expensive as well since it's rumor to be using the ARM architecture technology

[ZycoFox]

No need for me to buy an Xbox anymore, last one i owned was 360 anyway. That and the original were good consoles. Everything is on PC now and I usually keep mine fairly modern so it's always going to outperform it, and I like to mess with apps and programs that you can't do on console so..

[MrDead]

We already have xbox games integration, it's called Steam.

MS store is like Bing, no one wants it.

[babadivad]

Xbox store is more flexible than Steamnif you own a console. Cross saves and cross buy is amazing.

If a game is on the Xbox store and Steam, given the choice, I buy the Xbox store version.

If a game I want gets released, I always check the Xbox store first.

[MrDead]

"If a game is on the Xbox store and Steam, given the choice, I buy the Xbox store version."

Found the Bing user.

[babadivad]

@MrDead

Found the moron who likes to pay twice for the same game.

[babadivad]

This site is so retarded. There's literally no downside for buying on the PC xbox store if you have a console.

If the game released on the PC Xbox store, if you buy it there, you get the game for free on console.

And you share the same save file.

If I buy the game on Steam, if I wanted to play that game on console, I would have to buy it again.

I get it, because it's Xbox/Microsoft, it's automatically bad.

It's only a benefit to check if a game released on the Xbox store.

[darthv72]

......what's wrong with Bing? Its good to use it to get points towards stuff like movie tickets, xbox gift cards, etc.

[Terry_B]

..who asked for this?

[UnbreakableAlex]

People like me who don’t own a PC but want to play PC games.

[babadivad]

Or PC players who have an Xbox. Like me.

[Eonjay]

That isn't what this is. I would really like to know where the misinformation is coming from.

Maybe the next Xbox is a PC with an Xbox app that boots up when you turn it on but allows you to run PC apps and Xbox games will be converted to a version playable on PCs as well... but don't expect PC games to come to Xbox consoles.

I imagine they will let you download an app that allows you to play your Xbox games on PC. But you will still be able to download from Steam because it is a PC.

[Christopher]

This isn't going to turn PC games into console games. It's not even going to change how Steam changes at all since no third-party is going to want to give you a PC and console copy of a game for the same price without someone paying for it.

[Terry_B]

Learn reading.

[1Victor]

@terry: “ .who asked for this?”

Refer to post one that couldn’t wait for this amazing killer app that will entice all Nintendo, Sony and PC gamers to buy the next generation of Xbox console 🤣
Edited for typos

[Terry_B]

That one can't be taken serious.

[ocelot07]

Makes sense doesn't it? If we are going to have Dell Alienware Xbox's and HP Xbox and Lenovo Xbox and Asus TuF Gaming Xbox PC's. A console like PC with a limited/customised windows with console form in mind.

[Extermin8or3_]

They'll come with pc hardware prices though...

[ocelot07]

Most likely but unfortunately that's just the way the world is now. Nintendo charging $500+ for a handheld that's roughly as powerful as a PS4 pro from 2016.

Sony charging $700 for a PS5 Pro.

Microsoft charging $730 for a 5 year old console with a extra 1tb of storage.

Apple charging $800 for the cheapest iPhone 16.

Samsung charging $800 for the basic s25.

[MaximusPrime_]

Funny seeing Xbox fans on twitter claiming they finally getting Playstation games on Xbox.

Firstly, steam is an add-on, not a Xbox. So you can't say playstation games are now on Xbox.
Secondly, steam is being tested as per rumours. Basically if it failed to get it working flawlessly on Xbox, ha.

[OptimusDK]

You sound triggered

[ocelot07]

Apparently, Sony has the right/ability to block their games working on a next gen Xbox or handheld even if they are in fact just standard PC's with a Xbox logo on the plastic.

[Eonjay]

But that would make sense because it's a PC. Like I don't think people understand that Xbox as a console is dead. If you put an Xbox app on your PC... it's still a PC and should be able to run all Steam games.

[ocelot07]

@Eonjay

Oh don't get me wrong I agree with you. If the next Xbox consoles are just small form factor PC's with a customized windows from different brands. Then no reason for Sony to block their games working on it.

But apparently due to licensing they can if they want to.

[Lightning77]

It's possible they can either create a hurdle like PSN sign up requirements. Give a reason for blocking their games in certain regions. Depends how many Ppl on xbox through steam buy the game. That's just it, say if large amounts of ppl buy PS games on it I have a tough time seeing reasons to pull games away if they're making money and, most importantly, if their console sales aren't at risk. Which I have a very hard time seeing because PS games hit PC about a year or so later so their console sales aren't at risk.

[ocelot07]

@Lightning77

Completely agree.

[MaximusPrime_]

https://www.notebookcheck.n...

Sony may block playstation steam games on Xbox rumour.

[Exthun]

Xbox Live aka GP and PlayStation Plus charge for online multiplayer, while Steam does not. Will Microsoft lose that revenue in the process of integrating these platforms?

[Eonjay]

That's actually a really good question because if the next Xbox is an open PC (which it kinda has to be to run Steam) it will make charging for online play redundant. Wouldn't you just buy all your multiplayer games on Steam Store? And how would Microsoft be able to charge you to play online? And wouldn't the Xbox games just be MS Store versions of the game where online play is already free?

[ocelot07]

That is something to really think about. If the next Xbox is indeed a pc and has steam. Then not only should online play for pc he free (massive uproar it not). Then GP subs would surely move over the the cheaper GP for pc?

[dveio]

So.

What else does Xbox need to finally get some grip?

Zenimax, ActivisionBlizzardKing, Gears & Forza on Playstation, cannibalization of retail for GP, Steam, maybe Playstation exclusives via Steam, tried buying out Nintendo, etc.

It's hilarious.

[dveio]

(I even forgot Minecraft.)

[Lightning77]

GP has shown to not cannibalize sales especially when you factor in PS. If GP was so enticing then everyone would have GP and ignore buying it on PS which they haven't. Clair has over 2 million sales and Oblivion also has over 2 million. AA games don't usually get bought as ppl mostly go that game. Again there's also different store fronts like Steam also and PC guys aren't gonna switch to play on GP.

[dveio]

Let's ignore cannibalization then, which, according to you, doesn't happen at all.

Let's ignore it.

However, my question remains unanswered.

What else does Xbox need to finally gain some grip?

Zenimax, ABK, Minecraft, GP, tried buying out even Nintendo (and Sega, Warner Bros., From Software, etc.), porting true Xbox IPs to PS, and now they're reaching even for Steam.

What else does ONE brand only need to finally get some grip?

Because after 25 f'n years they still haven't.

While Nintendo and Playstation doing their thing without any of that shit, not even close.

[CrimsonWing69]

As a console pleb, this is actually pretty awesome if true.

[Extermin8or3_]

Not really. If steam is on xbox ma loses its cut on games sold on the hardware cos no way steam is sacrificing theirs they got no reason to. That means console business model is broken. So you get pc prices for decent hardware or underpowered hardware.

[CrimsonWing69]

As a consumer who doesn’t PC game much, yes, it’s actually pretty cool to have access to PC only games on a console.

[RaiderNation]

@CrimsonWing69

But it wont be a "console" anymore. It's simply a repackaged PC that will never be fully optimized. Calling it a console is antiquated language. A console is a "walled garden" experience with custom architecture where developers work to optimize its hardware. It sounds like what MS is doing is basically throwing PC components into a box and calling it a day. You may as well just build your own PC. This is Steambox 2.0. In one breath you keep saying youre not much of a PC gamer, but in another you say the idea of playing a PC in a box excites you?

[RaidenBlack]

@RaiderNation
We still dont know the extent of their integration....
It can just be same walled garden Xbox ecosystem but access to Steam games under a fixed xbox perf envelope.
(Not proper wording, something like Steam Desk -esque)

[IRetrouk]

Rumor from the dude that can't even get quarter results that have already been published correct? Yeah, nah...

[UnbreakableAlex]

Since I never wanted to buy a PC but wanted to play some PC games, that’s the best news so far his year.

[anast]

Xbox is rushing to the finish line.

[Whitey2k]

Should be interesting i wonder what sony would do? Could potentially lock out more games on sonys console or sony could also integrate steam in there console aswell? Maybe sony could approach EA and Rockstar on what they have integrate there platform into sonys gaming tiers?

[OptimusDK]

Not going to happen.

[babadivad]

This would be amazing

[blacktiger]

Microsoft is so desperate. They know if they don't integrate steam, steam will have their way to Linux and possible beat windows. So many handheld and even pc now supports steam for Linux

[OhReginald]

Steam users don't want this. Why xbox users would want this...??

[TheColbertinator]

I'm truly glad that Xbox is trying to become PC. Soon I can get Microsoft Word on Xbox along with Zoom.

[jznrpg]

Gamepass didn’t save Xbox, acquisitions didn’t save Xbox. So now the hope is Steam will save it? Heh

[goken]

This would make xbox a steam box/pc?

Actually may interest some people