[The Verge] Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows

Topher

Topher

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Xbox Insiders get access to Microsoft's new aggregated gaming library this week.

Microsoft is starting to test its new aggregated gaming library in its Xbox PC app on Windows. Xbox Insiders will now be able to see their Steam and Battle.net games all within the Xbox app this week — making it a single launcher for most installed PC games.

This new consolidated library will roll out to the Xbox app later this year, as well as new devices like the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It's part of Microsoft's efforts to make the Xbox app on Windows the home of PC gaming and compete with Steam and SteamOS by combining Windows and Xbox.

"When a player installs a game from a supported PC storefront, it will automatically appear in 'My library' within the Xbox PC app, as well as the 'Most recent' list of titles in the sidebar — making it easier than ever to jump back into your games," explains Manisha Oza, product manager of the Xbox platform. Microsoft says support for additional PC storefronts will roll out over time.

If you want to try out the new aggregated library in the Xbox app on Windows, you can simply download the Xbox Insider Hub on PC and join the PC gaming preview. You can also manage the visibility of games by hiding any PC storefront in the Library & Extensions section of the Xbox app settings.

www.theverge.com

Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows

Xbox Insiders get access this week.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com

Any Xbox Insiders around here?
 
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a3118056560_10.jpg
 
Am I tripping? This idea is not new, right?

a quick search:


✅ GOG Galaxy
– Created by GOG (Good Old Games).
– Its main feature is the ability to integrate Steam, Epic, Origin, Uplay, and other platforms into a single library. You can launch games and track friends across platforms from one place.


✅ Playnite
– An open‑source, highly customizable launcher.
– Supports Steam, GOG, Epic, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay, Xbox App (Windows Store), and even emulators.
– Probably the best and most "power‑user" option right now.


✅ LaunchBox / Big Box
– Primarily for retro and emulated games, but can also be configured for modern platforms.
– Highly customizable and great for "all‑in‑one" setups.


✅ Xbox App (Windows) / Game Bar
– Tries to unify Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft Store games.
– Doesn't cover Steam or others.


✅ Playnite vs GOG Galaxy
– Both are popular among PC gamers for centralizing libraries. Playnite is more customizable, while GOG Galaxy is more user‑friendly.



Why this hasn't become universal?
Each platform (Steam, Epic, Xbox, etc.) has its own interests and doesn't want to give up control over its user experience and revenue stream, so making one truly official, universally supported app is challenging.
 
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Gonna try this out now.

Ok well...I tried to join. It's stuck on "pending". I guess I have to be approved to join.

Oh it told me to check back later. K

Edit: Ok it said I joined, so I guess I just wait til they release an insider update? I dunno, doing this on PC.
 
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lol try hard to be impressed i guess.
im sure this'll make people jump to your shit launcher. good luck
 
Last edited:
ChorizoPicozo said:
Am I tripping? This idea is not new, right?

a quick search:


✅ GOG Galaxy
– Created by GOG (Good Old Games).
– Its main feature is the ability to integrate Steam, Epic, Origin, Uplay, and other platforms into a single library. You can launch games and track friends across platforms from one place.


✅ Playnite
– An open‑source, highly customizable launcher.
– Supports Steam, GOG, Epic, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay, Xbox App (Windows Store), and even emulators.
– Probably the best and most "power‑user" option right now.


✅ LaunchBox / Big Box
– Primarily for retro and emulated games, but can also be configured for modern platforms.
– Highly customizable and great for "all‑in‑one" setups.


✅ Xbox App (Windows) / Game Bar
– Tries to unify Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft Store games.
– Doesn't cover Steam or others.


✅ Playnite vs GOG Galaxy
– Both are popular among PC gamers for centralizing libraries. Playnite is more customizable, while GOG Galaxy is more user‑friendly.



Why this hasn't become universal?
Each platform (Steam, Epic, Xbox, etc.) has its own interests and doesn't want to give up control over its user experience and revenue stream, so making one truly official, universally supported app is challenging.
Click to expand...

Only thing new is that your os gets to shove it in your face all the time.
 
There's nothing wrong with this. Infact I think all these companies should come together for the integrations AND THEN FIGHT FOR MY STOREFRONT TIME TO THE DEATH!!!
 
This isn't a big deal. They are just shortcut/launchers like on the NVIDIA app. Probably did this for simpler handheld Interface launching.
 
Is what it is, MS trying something with this expanded hardware and xbox "Everywhere" if it works I guess we will see in the next gen
 
damidu said:
lol try hard to be impressed i guess.
im sure this'll make people jump to your shit launcher. good luck
Click to expand...
You'll be surprised. Won't happen in the next 2 - 5 years, but imagine 7 years from now, everytime someone installs Windows, they see their games without having to install/run Steam. People get used to convenience like that very quickly.

I hope the result of all this is Valve makes a significant update to the Steam client.
 
Loomy said:
You'll be surprised. Won't happen in the next 2 - 5 years, but imagine 7 years from now, everytime someone installs Windows, they see their games without having to install/run Steam. People get used to convenience like that very quickly.
Click to expand...
Steam has to be launched for DRM purposes, at least once every 14 days.
 
ChorizoPicozo said:
Am I tripping? This idea is not new, right?

a quick search:


✅ GOG Galaxy
– Created by GOG (Good Old Games).
– Its main feature is the ability to integrate Steam, Epic, Origin, Uplay, and other platforms into a single library. You can launch games and track friends across platforms from one place.


✅ Playnite
– An open‑source, highly customizable launcher.
– Supports Steam, GOG, Epic, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay, Xbox App (Windows Store), and even emulators.
– Probably the best and most "power‑user" option right now.


✅ LaunchBox / Big Box
– Primarily for retro and emulated games, but can also be configured for modern platforms.
– Highly customizable and great for "all‑in‑one" setups.


✅ Xbox App (Windows) / Game Bar
– Tries to unify Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft Store games.
– Doesn't cover Steam or others.


✅ Playnite vs GOG Galaxy
– Both are popular among PC gamers for centralizing libraries. Playnite is more customizable, while GOG Galaxy is more user‑friendly.



Why this hasn't become universal?
Each platform (Steam, Epic, Xbox, etc.) has its own interests and doesn't want to give up control over its user experience and revenue stream, so making one truly official, universally supported app is challenging.
Click to expand...

No ideas exist until Microsoft "makes" it by.... ...copying or buying it. 😜


Joking aside, I think this is a good thing even if it only works out for existing Microsoft/Xbox customers.
 
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IntentionalPun said:
Steam has to be launched for DRM purposes, at least once every 14 days.
Click to expand...
//DEVIL// said:
Not to mention you wanna a buy game on steam then you have to open steam app anyway so might as well not bother.
Click to expand...
Yeah, more than a few chasms to get across, and like I said - not getting all way across in the next few years. But if Microsoft actually stays with this and mostly avoid obviously greedy and stupid shit they will succeed.
 
reinking said:
In a way that only makes sense to the Xbox fanatics. Save console gaming by killing it.
Click to expand...
This is a thread about improving Windows for gaming.

You guys are absolutely desperate to make up some convoluted way this is a bad thing. Good luck with that spin I guess. Just so over the top.
 
I've been an Xbox insider for 4 years and i'm not seeing this update. Updated the app and rebooted and not seeing the option to detect steam games in the Xbox app settings.
 
Punished Miku said:
This is a thread about improving Windows for gaming.

You guys are absolutely desperate to make up some convoluted way this is a bad thing. Good luck with that spin I guess. Just so over the top.
Click to expand...
It's more just bizarre that we are getting threads / stories about something that is a part of every other launcher.

Like calling this "improving Windows for gaming" is a bit wild.
 
Loomy said:
Yeah, more than a few chasms to get across, and like I said - not getting all way across in the next few years. But if Microsoft actually stays with this and mostly avoid obviously greedy and stupid shit they will succeed.
Click to expand...
I seriously doubt this will ever be something MS can "Get across." Unless MS truly handles the upcoming "Windows Gaming Mode" (first to exist in Xbox Rog Ally ) in an incredibly open way, I doubt launchers will make it too easy to integrate and hide away their apps/stores.

And as a PC gamer I won't support it unless I can actually set Steam as my "main" launcher anyways. If it's "hey you can run Steam stuff too!" but all the menus are selling me games via Windows Store that they'll rebrand Xbox PC store I'll take a pass. I'm not that hard up for processing power/memory to be freed up that I actually even want to give up the option to alt-tab to Windows anyways.
 
This is just my personal use case, but I have amassed quite a steam library over the years, but now the majority of my gaming is done on GP via the Gamepass app. I'll still buy the occasional Steam game but if now I can play my old steam games through the launcher use the most adds convenience for me.
 
IntentionalPun said:
It's more just bizarre that we are getting threads / stories about something that is a part of every other launcher.

Like calling this "improving Windows for gaming" is a bit wild.
Click to expand...
Its not wild. They're rolling out windows updates. A lite version that reduces bloat while gaming. Store integration in the UI. Xbox BC. Its improving Windows for gaming.
 
Donald mac Ronald said:
But why would you want to launch your steam games through the Xbox app on pc when you can just run then through steam that has a simple, perfect interface?
Click to expand...
Because you are an Xbox refugee and prefer to stay in the Xbox eco system where you can still see your achievements for games, etc. I don't think MS will make much progress in PC but they have to at least try.
 
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