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[demigod]

I have the xbox thing open all the time because that's where my games are and I only deal with Steam because of Counter Strike

So much for being a lifelong pc gamer.

 

[nemiroff]

It's more just bizarre that we are getting threads / stories about something that is a part of every other launcher.

Bizarre huh... We have dedicated threads for the most miniscule Playstation updates. Which makes perfect sense because people are interested in it. But if something "Xbox" it's just incomprehensible why there should be a thread for it. What's more bizarre.

 

[clarky]

Anyone actually used this yet?

 

[Mr.ODST]

Dont k ow how people are so thick to the point this move is clearly for the handheld, my guess is they have to uodate the pc app so it works on the Rog Ally Skin

 

[clarky]

Dont k ow how people are so thick to the point this move is clearly for the handheld, my guess is they have to uodate the pc app so it works on the Rog Ally Skin

Think you'll find its you being thick.


"With the aggregated gaming library, players can conveniently launch games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net and other leading PC storefronts from a single library within the Xbox PC app. Whether you're on a Windows PC or a handheld device, your Xbox library, hundreds of Game Pass titles, and all your installed games from leading PC storefronts will now be at your fingertips."


This is the first step in unifying the UI across PC/Handheld/Nextbox.

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

Anyone actually used this yet?

This guy talks about it, but could be they're rolling out updates over the week.

Steam games come to the Xbox app in latest beta

The new functionality lets you see and launch your Steam games in the Xbox app, which will be important for those new Windows-based PC gaming handhelds and their streamlined interface.

www.pcworld.com

Since most of my shameful PC game collection is indeed inside Steam, with only a handful of freebies and Sea of Thieves connected to my Microsoft/Xbox account, I loaded up the Insider Hub and launched the Xbox app to check it out. Sadly it's not spotting my Steam library games, even a couple of titles I downloaded just for this article, despite showing that I'm running on the Xbox Insider build. Womp-womp.

Maybe there's a reason Microsoft name-checked Battle.net (which Microsoft owns) in its post while studiously avoiding naming Steam, only citing "other leading PC storefronts."

Microsoft says that other PC-based storefronts will be coming to this interface soon. Which is good, because by the time the ROG Xbox Ally launches later this year, it needs to be firing on all cylinders. Despite the Xbox branding, the PC gaming handheld will be running Windows 11, complete with an overhauled, slimmed-down, console-style interface that aims to help it compete with the Steam Deck. It's a small part of Microsoft's pivot to being a publishing and subscription powerhouse, leaning more on software and services than selling hardware.

 

[Clintizzle]

Bizarre huh... We have dedicated threads for the most miniscule Playstation updates. Which makes perfect sense because people are interested in it. But if something "Xbox" it's just incomprehensible why there should be a thread for it. What's more bizarre.

I cant wait for the next thread about what Shuhei Yoshida thinks about big booty phillipinas.

 

[clarky]

This guy talks about it, but could be they're rolling out updates over the week.

Steam games come to the Xbox app in latest beta

The new functionality lets you see and launch your Steam games in the Xbox app, which will be important for those new Windows-based PC gaming handhelds and their streamlined interface.

www.pcworld.com

Yeah I think I have the latest build which doesn't have this feature, after a bit of digging look like it will roll out this week at some point. Not that i'll use it, just curious to see how it works.

 

[winjer]

There is no reason for me to want Steam inside the Xbox app.
That has to be the dumbest idea ever, in a pathetic attempt for Microsoft to keep some relevance in PC Gaming.
The last thing I need is a Microsoft launcher to launch another launcher.

 

[Rivdoric]

I Want my Xbox games to appear on Steam not the other way around.

 

[djjinx2]

There is no reason for me to want Steam inside the Xbox app.
That has to be the dumbest idea ever, in a pathetic attempt for Microsoft to keep some relevance in PC Gaming.
The last thing I need is a Microsoft launcher to launch another launcher.

Of course there is no reason if your just interested in Steam. But there are use cases and other reasons.

How about I'm invested in Gamepass? So to have an Xbox PC with console like interface AND access to a few Sony games via Steam? Because I do miss the odd tent pole release from them. Hell I still haven't played TLOU2 for example

 

[DAHGAMING]

Amazing, what a power move from team Xbox , I have been saying for a while that the Xbox app is the best launcher on PC for a while and now it seems even the mighty Steam have came begging for there games on Xbox.

Its clear now what Microsoft are doing, after Sony and PS are all but defeated its time to crush Steam along with there Deck and any console like device they bring out. Microsoft, more like Megahard .

 

[clarky]

Of course there is no reason if your just interested in Steam. But there are use cases and other reasons.

How about I'm invested in Gamepass? So to have an Xbox PC with console like interface AND access to a few Sony games via Steam? Because I do miss the odd tent pole release from them. Hell I still haven't played TLOU2 for example

You'll still need to boot up Steam when you click play in the Xbox app. Completely pointless. If I want to play TLOU2, like your example and I'm too lazy to get off my ass I'll just boot into big picture mode with a pad and click play. Why would I go into the Xbox app first?

 

[winjer]

Of course there is no reason if your just interested in Steam. But there are use cases and other reasons.

How about I'm invested in Gamepass? So to have an Xbox PC with console like interface AND access to a few Sony games via Steam? Because I do miss the odd tent pole release from them. Hell I still haven't played TLOU2 for example

For that situation, the solution is to have Gamepass on Steam. Not to have Steam on the Xbox app.

 

[clarky]

Amazing, what a power move from team Xbox , I have been saying for a while that the Xbox app is the best launcher on PC for a while and now it seems even the mighty Steam have came begging for there games on Xbox.

Its clear now what Microsoft are doing, after Sony and PS are all but defeated its time to crush Steam along with there Deck and any console like device they bring out. Microsoft, more like Megahard .

Shut it.

 

[pudel]

Never had this joke of an "xbox app" on any of my pc's and I am pretty certain to keep it like that. I dont trust M$ and their spyware.

I hope all this recent news are just only for transitioning the xbox plebs over to pc, rather than some bigger, behind the scenes attempt to create a walled garden on pc....again.

 

[SpokkX]

so.. if steam is not running steam will start when staring a steam game?

kind of a pointless feature imo

 

[pudel]

so.. if steam is not running steam will start when staring a steam game?

kind of a pointless feature imo

Imagine you want to start an Ubisoft game which you bought via Steam:

xbox launcher -> steam launcher -> Ubisoft launcher -> finally the fuckn game starts! Jezzus!

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

xbox launcher -> steam launcher -> Ubisoft launcher -> finally the fuckn game starts! Jezzus!

The Xbox UI will just launch the Steam executable straight up, you don't need to go into anything Steam UI for that. And with regards to the Ubisoft launcher: yeah that's shitty, but it's entirely on Valve for allowing Ubisoft and others to have these pesky launchers within Steam to begin with. Nothing MS can do anything about.

 

[pudel]

The Xbox UI will just launch the Steam executable straight up, you don't need to go into anything Steam UI for that.

I doubt this. Every Steam executable opens steam. Thats the infamous Steam DRM. You would need to remove this from every game executable.

 

[djjinx2]

The Xbox UI will just launch the Steam executable straight up, you don't need to go into anything Steam UI for that. And with regards to the Ubisoft launcher: yeah that's shitty, but it's entirely on Valve for allowing Ubisoft and others to have these pesky launchers within Steam to begin with. Nothing MS can do anything about.

Ubisoft Games on PC Game Pass:
Assassin's Creed: Origins, Odyssey, Mirage, Valhalla
Far Cry: 5, 6
Rainbow Six: Siege, Extraction
Tom Clancy's: The Division 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands
Other: Immortals Fenyx Rising, Riders Republic, Skull and Bones, Star Wars Outlaws, The Crew Motorfest, OddBallers, Child of Light
Ubisoft Games on Xbox Game Pass:
The games listed above for PC Game Pass are also generally available on Xbox Game Pass.
Watch Dogs 2 is another title available on Xbox Game Pass.

 

[Heisenberg007]

I doubt this. Every Steam executable opens steam. Thats the infamous Steam DRM. You would need to remove this from every game executable.

Yeah, on Reddit, people were saying that launching a Steam game on the Microsoft PC app, it still launches Steam and then the game.

Haven't personally verified it yet though.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

Yeah, on Reddit, people were saying that launching a Steam game on the Microsoft PC app, it still launches Steam and then the game.

Haven't personally verified it yet though.

That'd be a bummer if true. I wonder how this would work on the future Xbox consoles? Would we really need to navigate a mouse pointer with our analogue sticks to the buttons on these third party launchers or what?

 

[wolffy66]

This is more about everything that's not a conventional pc imo. Steam and other providers games via handhelds and console. They will probably benefit from a streamlined interface a lot more than pcs will.

 

[clarky]

That'd be a bummer if true. I wonder how this would work on the future Xbox consoles? Would we really need to navigate a mouse pointer with our analogue sticks to the buttons on these third party launchers or what?

Launching from the .exe just fires up Steam then the game you don't need to actually interact with steam itself.

 

[pudel]

Launching from the .exe just fires up Steam then the game you don't need to actually interact with steam itself.

Yep. It works even offline. Steam opens, realizes its offline and just starts the game. Thats the most important aspect for me. I couldnt care less if there is a launcher starting, but if this launcher demands online connectivity...i am out.

Thats why I am skeptical about this xbox launcher in front of everything. It could just make everything worse in an instant.

 

[clarky]

Yep. It works even offline. Steam opens, realizes its offline and just starts the game. Thats the most important aspect for me. I couldnt care less if there is a launcher starting, but if this launcher demands online connectivity...i am out.

Thats why I am skeptical about this xbox launcher in front of everything. It could just make everything worse in an instant.

Steam needs an online connection to DRM check evey couple of weeks,the first time booting a game or after a game has updated(i think).

 

[pudel]

Steam needs an online connection to DRM check evey couple of weeks,the first time booting a game or after a game has updated(i think).

Cannot confirm this. Never had such a case and sometimes I used that "feature" for a pretty long time in order to circumvent these stupid auto-patches on steam which would otherwise destroy perfectly running mods.

 

[winjer]

Steam needs an online connection to DRM check evey couple of weeks,the first time booting a game or after a game has updated(i think).

There is no time limit to using Steam's offline mode.
But of course, being offline means no updates and online features and online multiplayer games won't work.

 

[clarky]

There is no time limit to using Steam's offline mode.
But of course, being offline means no updates and online features and online multiplayer games won't work.

My bad could have sworn it did periodic checks.

 

[diffusionx]

Microsoft always tries to fall back to the tried and true "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish" in the end when every other attempt to monopolize fails

When was the last time Microsoft actually did this successfully? 1998?

 

[winjer]

My bad could have sworn it did periodic checks.

Don't worry about it. It's a common misconception about Steam.
But it's pretty awesome that Steam allows people to do this.
Imagine going away for a long stent of work of visiting a country or family, and just downloading several games and not having to worry about needing an online connection.
Or having problems with your ISP. Or some accident.
Last year I was over 2 weeks without internet, due to massive forest fires in my country. But I was still able to play the games I had downloaded on Steam.

 

[buenoblue]

I gave up trying to have a unified launcher ages ago. I have my pc connected to my 65 inch qd oled and use controller companion. I have steam,epic,ea,ubisoft,gog, xbox and amazon games all pinned to start menu

I've set left trigger in controller companion to windows key so that brings up the start menu where I can use the sticks to open any launcher. and once a game starts controller companion turns off and when I exit a game the controller companion turns back on. it works pretty well really.

 

[clarky]

Don't worry about it. It's a common misconception about Steam.
But it's pretty awesome that Steam allows people to do this.
Imagine going away for a long stent of work of visiting a country or family, and just downloading several games and not having to worry about needing an online connection.
Or having problems with your ISP. Or some accident.
Last year I was over 2 weeks without internet, due to massive forest fires in my country. But I was still able to play the games I had downloaded on Steam.

Yeah I work in remote locations alot but these days i have at least a shitty mobile connection or satalite so I dont tend to need offline mode.

I did use it a fair bit back in the dark ages though. Just me misremembering things.

 

[DenchDeckard]

There is no time limit to using Steam's offline mode.
But of course, being offline means no updates and online features and online multiplayer games won't work.

I do believe its just for one system right? So you tell steam which PC can be used for offline and then you are free to play anything off line until you choose another PC to be the primary system?

I might be wrong though.

 

[clarky]

I do believe its just for one system right? So you tell steam which PC can be used for offline and then you are free to play anything off line until you choose another PC to be the primary system?

I might be wrong though.

I dont think Steam gives a shit which PC you are using.

 

[SoraNoKuni]

Already sh*tty tactics from Microsoft, they don't explicitely call steam as steam, they want the end user to reduce interaction with steam and pay more attention on the xbox app, together with the unified xbox/windows thing, then after getting some momentum they'll shove gamepass in every 2nd paragraph and probably try to compete with steam on prices since a lot of users may end up using their own ui game launcher thing.

SteamOS and Linux should thrive and microsoft become a publisher please.

 

[pudel]

I do believe its just for one system right? So you tell steam which PC can be used for offline and then you are free to play anything off line until you choose another PC to be the primary system?

I might be wrong though.

On another pc you would need to download the game at first anyway. Unless i am misunderstanding yr scenario here.

 

[memoryman3]

Already sh*tty tactics from Microsoft, they don't explicitely call steam as steam, they want the end user to reduce interaction with steam and pay more attention on the xbox app, together with the unified xbox/windows thing, then after getting some momentum they'll shove gamepass in every 2nd paragraph and probably try to compete with steam on prices since a lot of users may end up using their own ui game launcher thing.

SteamOS and Linux should thrive and microsoft become a publisher please.

Eh. I think MS are much better as a hardware platform holder and manufacturer, than a software publisher. If anyone has to be a publisher, it has to be Nintendo, who deliberately hold their games back a generation.

 

[BlackTron]

Microsoft is just Microsofting again.

Yes other launchers have always let you add games to library, but now the launcher cozy with your OS will do it automatically, so that over the long haul of trying to be the lowest click laziest way to launch something, people might be more exposed to the MS app, their messaging and ads and opportunity to convert in some way.

 

[onQ123]

Digital Locker

O

Thread 'IMO Sony is forced to release their games on PC because soon it will be all about the digital locker & being able to play your games anywhere'

Jan 17, 2020

If Sony didn't release games on PC they would be at a disadvantage in the digital locker age. in the digital locker age hardware will not matter you will just buy the software & play it wherever you like but it would be pointless for people to choose to by from Sony if their licence only worked for PS5.

This is where we are headed

Next mind bending prediction: You will be able to play PS5 games on your PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Scarlet , PC , Mac , Android phone & iPhone even if you don't own a PS5.

...

• onQ123
• Replies: 100
• Forum: Gaming Discussion

• 
• 

 

[BlackTron]

My bad could have sworn it did periodic checks.

I've had Steam try to connect to launch a game, but when it failed it launched the game anyway.

 

[Astray]

Lol the play is super clear in my eyes.. They want to get people to link their accounts so they can see wishlists etc and start figuring out moves against Steam (if you know what games are getting tons of wishlists you can get them as PC Gamepass day 1 titles and steal a march on Valve, maybe even moneyhat them if you want).

Epic did shit like that but they didn't have enough astroturfing power in them to justify it, but MS can easily get that done.

 

[BlackTron]

On another pc you would need to download the game at first anyway. Unless i am misunderstanding yr scenario here.

The offline system would need the game on it yes but the point of the scenario is needing that system connected to the internet in order to play the game (I don't know the answer to this question but I just got a crash course on how it works with Nintendo when 2 came out, very real thing)

 

[GHG]

Technically you can add gamepass games to Steam but it is a pain in the ass. Compare that to how heroic launcher integrates Epic, GoG and Amazon into Steam.

There are already other tools that already do this which are far more competent/reliable than the Xbox app.

I have the xbox thing open all the time because that's where my games are and I only deal with Steam because of Counter Strike

Funny way of exposing yourself, but cool.

 

[DavidGzz]

For that situation, the solution is to have Gamepass on Steam. Not to have Steam on the Xbox app.

Sure, but for the handheld and console, if the default UI that opens is the Xbox one, having all games in one menu will be nice. On PC, I just use the shortcuts anyway.

 

[Kacho]

Digital Locker

O

Thread 'IMO Sony is forced to release their games on PC because soon it will be all about the digital locker & being able to play your games anywhere'

Jan 17, 2020

If Sony didn't release games on PC they would be at a disadvantage in the digital locker age. in the digital locker age hardware will not matter you will just buy the software & play it wherever you like but it would be pointless for people to choose to by from Sony if their licence only worked for PS5.

This is where we are headed

Next mind bending prediction: You will be able to play PS5 games on your PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Scarlet , PC , Mac , Android phone & iPhone even if you don't own a PS5.

...

• onQ123
• Replies: 100
• Forum: Gaming Discussion

• 
• 

 

[squidilix]

This saves GOG, no doubt it's gonna save Microsoft.

Xbros, we won.

 

[Baemono]

 

[dragonyeuw]

I would never launch my Steam games from another launcher, Xbox app or otherwise. Give me access to my 360 console games inside the Xbox app, Microsoft.