Microsoft Publishes and Pulls Xbox UI Mockup Featuring a Tab for Steam Games

Microsoft has inadvertently revealed a potential new feature for Xbox consoles that could allow players to view all their PC games installed via various platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. This glimpse into the future of Xbox UI was spotted in a now-removed image from a Microsoft blog post titled "Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox," as reported by The Verge. The image showcased a variety of devices, including Xbox Series X | S consoles, with one screen subtly displaying a "Steam" tab.

This unexpected inclusion of Steam in an Xbox UI mockup is intriguing, especially since Valve's platform doesn't typically integrate with Microsoft's gaming hardware in this manner. The swift removal of the image from the blog post suggests that the reveal was premature, and Microsoft may not have intended to showcase this feature just yet.

According to The Verge, Microsoft is indeed exploring a UI update that would not only connect to Steam but also other PC gaming storefronts. This would enable players to see all their installed PC games and the platforms they were purchased from. However, the project is still in its early stages, and no immediate rollout should be expected.

The mention of Steam in an Xbox context is noteworthy, especially given Microsoft's recent efforts to expand its gaming ecosystem across different platforms. Over the past decade, Microsoft has increasingly brought its titles to PC and other consoles, with games like Pentiment and Grounded available on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. There are also ongoing rumors about the Master Chief Collection potentially coming to PlayStation.

Microsoft's strategy to blur the lines between Xbox and PC gaming has been evident in recent initiatives like the "This is an Xbox" campaign, which highlights the various devices on which players can enjoy Xbox games. 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 directly on Xbox hardware.

Looking further ahead, reports suggest that Microsoft's next-generation Xbox, expected in 2027, will be more akin to a PC than any previous Xbox model, further integrating the gaming experiences across platforms.