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 revolutionize how players interact with their PC game libraries. In a now-edited blog post titled "Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox," an image showcased a glimpse of an upcoming Xbox UI update. The image, which was quickly spotted and shared by The Verge, displayed various devices including Xbox Series X | S consoles, phones, tablets, and TVs. Upon closer inspection, a small tab labeled "Steam" was visible on some of the screens, hinting at a possible integration with Valve's popular PC gaming platform.

This unexpected inclusion of Steam in the Xbox UI mockup suggests that Microsoft might be working on a feature that allows players to view all their installed PC games from various storefronts, including Steam and the Epic Games Store, directly from their Xbox console. The image was promptly removed from the blog post, indicating that the reveal was premature and not intended for public viewing at this stage.

According to The Verge, sources have confirmed that Microsoft is in the early stages of developing this UI update. This feature, if implemented, would enable Xbox users to seamlessly access their entire PC game library, showing which games are installed and from which platforms they were purchased. However, given the early development phase, it's unclear when or if this update will be rolled out to the public.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The mention of Steam in an official Xbox context is significant, especially considering Microsoft's ongoing efforts to expand its gaming ecosystem across multiple platforms. Over the past decade, Microsoft has increasingly brought its titles to PC and other consoles, with notable releases like Pentiment and Grounded on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. There are also persistent rumors about the Master Chief Collection potentially making its way to PlayStation.

Microsoft's strategy to blur the lines between Xbox and PC gaming has been evident in recent initiatives. The "This is an Xbox" campaign, launched just months ago, emphasizes the versatility of Xbox gaming across various 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.

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. This aligns with the company's vision of a more integrated and versatile gaming experience across different platforms.