Microsoft is reportedly testing Steam integration within the Microsoft Store, signaling a significant shift toward unifying PC and console gaming platforms. According to insider eXtas1s, a “Steam Developer Beta” has appeared in internal Microsoft Store builds, accessible only to select employees and collaborators. This move suggests that Microsoft aims to facilitate seamless coexistence between its Xbox ecosystem and the PC platform Steam.
The integration would allow users to run Steam more smoothly and directly from Windows environments and, in the future, Xbox environments. eXtas1s notes that the next generation of Xbox is expected to be more like a PC than a traditional console, with everything developed around PC environments.
This isn’t the first time such integration has been discussed. Jez Corden of Windows Central previously reported that Xbox has been in talks with PC storefront owners, including Valve, about potential integration with future hardware.
The rumored next-generation Xbox strategy includes a successor to the Xbox Series X paired with a handheld device, both expected to release in 2027. Microsoft aims to launch ahead of Sony’s PlayStation 6, having skipped the mid-generation console refresh that Sony released with the PS5 Pro.
If realized, Steam integration could allow Xbox users to access a vast library of PC titles, including indie games and user-created content, directly from their consoles. This aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to create a more open and flexible gaming ecosystem, blurring the lines between PC and console gaming.
