Microsoft Reveals and Retracts Xbox UI Mockup with Steam Games Tab

Microsoft has inadvertently revealed a potential new feature in an upcoming Xbox UI update, showcasing the ability for players to view all their PC games installed via various platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store. This sneak peek came from a prematurely published blog post titled "Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox," which was quickly spotted and shared by The Verge. The post contained an image that, upon closer examination, displayed a "Steam" tab on the screens of several devices, suggesting a new level of integration between Xbox and popular PC gaming platforms.

The inclusion of Steam in the Xbox UI is surprising given that Valve's platform traditionally doesn't integrate directly with Microsoft's gaming hardware. The image was subsequently removed from the blog post, indicating that Microsoft was not ready to officially announce this feature. Sources from The Verge confirmed that Microsoft is actively developing this update, aiming to allow players to see all their installed games across multiple PC storefronts. However, the feature is still in its early stages, and a rollout is not expected anytime soon.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The mention of Steam in an official Xbox UI mockup is noteworthy, especially given Microsoft's ongoing efforts to expand its gaming ecosystem beyond Xbox consoles. Over the past decade, Microsoft has increasingly released its titles on PC and other platforms. Notable examples include Pentiment and Grounded being available on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, with rumors suggesting that the Master Chief Collection might soon follow suit on PlayStation.

Microsoft has been steadily blurring the lines between Xbox and PC gaming. The "This is an Xbox" campaign, launched just months ago, underscores the company's vision of enabling Xbox gameplay across a wide array of devices. 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 directly on Xbox hardware.

Furthermore, 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.