Microsoft’s Xbox App: A Future Universal Game Launcher?
PC gamers are well-acquainted with the diverse range of game launchers available today. While the initial surge in launcher adoption has eased, many prominent publishers continue to develop their own platforms as alternatives to the dominant Steam. This trend includes major players such as EA, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, with Microsoft actively competing through its Xbox app. Recent insights suggest that Microsoft is exploring new functionalities to transform the Xbox App into a more universal gaming launcher.
Emerging Features in the Xbox App
An intriguing report highlighted by The Verge noted the appearance of a specific image featuring the Xbox user interface. This visual showcases not just the Xbox Series X|S consoles but also a Windows laptop, a handheld gaming PC, and mobile devices. Most notably, zooming in on the UI reveals a “Steam”button positioned alongside the “Game Pass”option.
Context and Speculation
The image was part of a blog post exploring how Microsoft plans to “open a billion doors with Xbox, ”a statement made by Leo Olebe, VP of Global Partnerships for Game Developers Conference 2025. Following inquiries from The Verge, Microsoft swiftly replaced the original image, hinting at the possibility of it being more than a mere oversight.
Potential Game Management Tools
Sources familiar with the matter have indicated to The Verge that Microsoft is developing an update for the Xbox App that could soon allow users to view all games installed on their PC, encompassing significant platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store. This capability mirrors features found in other third-party launchers, such as Playnite and the GOG Galaxy launcher. Although Steam provides a mechanism to manage ‘non-Steam’ titles, it requires a more manual approach for adding games and applications.
Current Status and Future Prospects
As exciting as these developments may sound, it’s important to note that the integration of a comprehensive game management feature is still reportedly in its early developmental stages. There remains a possibility that it may not be included in the final version of the Xbox app. Until official confirmation is provided by Microsoft, it’s wise to approach these revelations with cautious optimism.
For more detailed insights, you can check out the original article here: Source & Images.
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