Rumours have been circulating for some time now that Microsoft is playing around with the next-gen Xbox being more akin to a living room PC. A few days ago we got word of that plan being furthered as Microsoft was apparently testing integrating Steam into the Xbox ecosystem. Now, a reliable source is backing up those claims.
Jez Corden of Windows Central is a reasonably reliable purveyor of insider news, and according to his latest report Microsoft is indeed in talks with Valve about the Steam store, and perhaps Epic as well.
“For my part, I can say that Xbox has been in talks with PC storefront owners, including Steam’s Valve, about what exactly that might look like,” said Jez.
However, he is doubtful of the claims that it has moved passed the talking phase and is being actively tested: “There have been other rumors that full integration is even in testing, although I’d take that with a pinch of salt for now.”
Also relevant is a comment Jez made a few months back when more reports of an Xbox-PC hybrid were flying around. On discussing the topic of PlayStation blocking their Steam releases on Xbox, Jez had this to say: “i know for a fact PlayStation can do this if they feel inclined, so keep expectations in check is my only message.”
This is, of course, addressing the idea that if Steam was somehow available on an Xbox console, people would be able to play the likes of God of War: Ragnarock or Helldivers 2 on an Xbox.
Other people, including Tom Warren of The Verge, disagreed with Jez’s assumption, though.
“I’m super curious how Sony can force Valve to block Steam games on particular Windows hardware,” said Tom Warren, replying to Jez’s tweet at the time. “I’ve never heard about a policy or instance of publishers being able to do this with Steam”
Of course, it goes without saying that all of these claims are potentially wrong, untrue, not accurate or a million other things. With that said, there’s enough reporting going on to strongly suggest that the idea of Steam on Xbox or somehow being integrated into the Microsoft Store is real and being discussed, regardless of whether it ever comes to fruition.
We also have the upcoming Xbox handheld devices to consider, too. One is a planned partnership with ROG, while the other, which is coming years down the line, is a true portable Xbox handheld machine developed inhouse.