Steam on Xbox: A Random Screenshot Unveils Microsoft's Secret Plans

Microsoft inadvertently grabbed gamers’ attention by posting — and then swiftly removing — a teaser for a new Xbox interface featuring an unexpected element: a Steam tab. The snapshot, which appeared on the company’s blog, showcased a unified design across consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, complete with games from Valve’s store among the lineup.

According to insiders close to the development process, this detail was no accident. Microsoft is actively testing a feature that would allow the Xbox app to aggregate games from all platforms: Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and more. The concept is reminiscent of GOG Galaxy’s approach of unifying libraries from various launchers, but with the added potential for seamless integration directly into the console environment.

Experts foresee two potential scenarios:

Previously, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, hinted at an ecosystem open to third-party stores. This accidental “leak” might simply be a test to gauge the community’s reaction. However, the project — codenamed Bayside — is still in its early stages, and the final version could very well omit some of these controversial elements.

The unification of the interface across Xbox, PC, and mobile devices promises to simplify game library management by erasing the boundaries between platforms. For Microsoft, this move represents a significant step toward dominating the PC segment, where Steam remains the leader. However, realizing such an ambitious vision will require negotiations with Valve and other key stakeholders — a challenge that remains unresolved.