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[Artistic]

I'm leaning towards no. A very strong no. Doesn't make much sense business wise in my eyes plus I'm sure Microsoft would love to establish a strong competitor to Steam...having it on your hybrid console wouldn't be ideal.

 

[HRK69]

 

[Jet Set Willy]

They've already said it will. Xbox Mode already supports it.

 

[Artistic]

They've already said it will. Xbox Mode already supports it.

Sources?

 

[March Climber]

Sources?

ROG Xbox Ally X

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

 

[Artistic]

ROG Xbox Ally X

That's not an official Xbox/Microsoft product though.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

That's not an official Xbox/Microsoft product though.

It is a LICENSED MS product...just like all the project helix consoles from the AIB vendors are going to be.

MS cannot afford to release another platform where none of its users actually buy games. It needs Steam and EGS and Gog and Humble and (etc etc) to even be viable.

They should also walk back their multiplatform release strategy like Sony is doing.

Nintendo stays winning...eternally.

 

[Bonfires Down]

I get that it seems weird for them to support Steam, but at this point I think they are primarily concerned about keeping gamers on Windows, and Helix is a part of that.

 

[Jet Set Willy]

Sources?

1) They said it's "not tied to a single store"
2) Helix is a PC and
3) Xbox Mode already supports full integration of your Steam library

 

[manfestival]

I cant wait to not buy project helix

 

[Artistic]

It is a LICENSED MS product...just like all the project helix consoles from the AIB vendors are going to be.

MS cannot afford to release another platform where none of its users actually buy games. It needs Steam and EGS and Gog and Humble and (etc etc) to even be viable.

I disagree personally.

If Microsoft has an established PC storefront with perks/backwards compatibility through all 4 previous generations, it'll still sell on that merit alone.

I don't see any added benefits of them having Steam(which I'm specifically speaking on), being on Helix.

 

[RoboFu]

I'm saying yes but it's just a front end app. Not full windows.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Imagine ps store or Nintendo shop on Xbox helix.

 

[Artistic]

1) They said it's "not tied to a single store"
2) Helix is a PC and
3) Xbox Mode already supports full integration of your Steam library

That's not a source honestly. More so pure speculation or what one might expect so far with leaked information.

 

[CrustyBritches]

I wouldn't be surprised if software is required to have a MS Store app in order to run. Similar to Windows S Mode.

 

[Jet Set Willy]

That's not a source honestly. More so pure speculation or what one might expect so far with leaked information.

So which stores do you think they are referring to then, when they say not tied to a single store? And which PC games do you think they are referring to when they say it plays "your Xbox and PC games"?

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

I disagree personally.

If Microsoft has an established PC storefront with perks/backwards compatibility through all 4 previous generations, it'll still sell on that merit alone.

I don't see any added benefits of them having Steam(which I'm specifically speaking on), being on Helix.

Given their performance over the last 12 quarters there is zero chances of them launching a console soely on their first party offerings. They are a 3rd party publisher now, they don't have another path forward as their focus is driving their HUGE catalogue of existing IP (from all of their acquisitions) to as many places as possible. Steam will at least get the "console" into peoples homes...the ones that don't know any better I guess.

 

[Artistic]

I get that it seems weird for them to support Steam, but at this point I think they are primarily concerned about keeping gamers on Windows, and Helix is a part of that.

That's what a traditional PC would be for.

Remember from Sarah Bond herself, Helix would be an "very high end CURATED" experience.

What's stopping them from releasing exclusive apps/software on the Microsoft/Xbox store that's only accessible through Helix and the future official Xbox handheld?

 

[Magic Carpet]

It better be, otherwise what's the point.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

That's what a traditional PC would be for.

Remember from Sarah Bond herself, Helix would be an "very high end CURATED" experience.

What's stopping them from releasing exclusive apps/software on the Microsoft/Xbox store that's only accessible through Helix and the future official Xbox handheld?

A user base.

 

[Tobimacoss]

Of course it does, Helix is an open platform for competition. MS will make enough money from Gamepass, xCloud, and the tens of millions of Xbox users/fans with yuuuuuge libraries.

Imagine ps store or Nintendo shop on Xbox helix.

They actually could. And also keep 100% of revenues. That's the point of an open platform. Sony really needed a PC store.

 

[adamsapple]

 

[Artistic]

So which stores do you think they are referring to then, when they say not tied to a single store? And which PC games do you think they are referring to when they say it plays "your Xbox and PC games"?

I believe Epic Game Store will be a big supporter to Helix, so them specifically. I think the current Xbox store will be the PC games their referring to, but in a newer, more functional capacity.

Given their performance over the last 12 quarters there is zero chances of them launching a console soely on their first party offerings. They are a 3rd party publisher now, they don't have another path forward as their focus is driving their HUGE catalogue of existing IP (from all of their acquisitions) to as many places as possible. Steam will at least get the "console" into peoples homes...the ones that don't know any better I guess.

Microsoft isn't a 3rd party publisher. They just have a more viable publishing offering than Sony at the moment.

But again, I disagree personally. Could be wrong, but there's no logical business sense of adding Steam to Helix.

 

[Zathalus]

Would be cool. Means I'd actually pick one up as a nice PC for the living room. Depending on the price of course.

 

[Artistic]

Just answer this for me, as I'm not aware:
Do Steam versions of Microsoft published games support Xbox Play Anywhere?

 

[Ebrietas]

Will Steam be on a PC? I don't know, that's a tough one.

 

[Artistic]

Will Steam be on a PC? I don't know, that's a tough one.

There's no official or specific wording saying Helix is a PC though.

 

[poodaddy]

Just answer this for me, as I'm not aware:
Do Steam versions of Microsoft published games support Xbox Play Anywhere?

No.

 

[Puscifer]

That's not an official Xbox/Microsoft product though.

Dawg

 

[poodaddy]

There's no official or specific wording saying Helix is a PC though.

Is this true? I feel like I read it somewhere at some point, am I just losing it?

 

[Artistic]

Is this true? I feel like I read it somewhere at some point, am I just losing it?

JUST checked, just says it'll play PC games.

There's multiple storefronts on PC that allow that.

 

[RoboFu]

Just answer this for me, as I'm not aware:
Do Steam versions of Microsoft published games support Xbox Play Anywhere?

Nope and they can have differences in settings , missing features, or version differences.

 

[DeVeAn]

I disagree personally.

If Microsoft has an established PC storefront with perks/backwards compatibility through all 4 previous generations, it'll still sell on that merit alone.

I don't see any added benefits of them having Steam(which I'm specifically speaking on), being on Helix.

Have you not looked into Xbox Ally X? It's a pc with an "Xbox mode". If Helix is an Xbox Ally X big boy, only way it doesn't have Steam is if the user refuses to install it.

 

[Artistic]

Have you not looked into Xbox Ally X? It's a pc with an "Xbox mode". If Helix is an Xbox Ally X big boy, only way it doesn't have Steam is if the user refuses to install it.

I haven't held one in hand, but again, I'm mainly stating that's not a hardware product made by Microsoft.

I expect the Rog Ally X to be fully compatiable with Helix...but that's more of a Xbox branded Steam Deck if anything.

 

[demigod]

Next thread, will Helix cure cancer?

 

[Artistic]

In addition, Steam on Helix would kind of eliminate the need for the Steam Machine.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

You mean the PC will do PC things or are you trying to make this out as some pseudo marketing victory? Who an I kidding, the ardent loyalists will do that for them.

 

[bender]

Next thread, will Helix cure cancer?

Is Cancer on Steam though?

 

[ReasonBeing]

I disagree personally.

If Microsoft has an established PC storefront with perks/backwards compatibility through all 4 previous generations, it'll still sell on that merit alone.

I don't see any added benefits of them having Steam(which I'm specifically speaking on), being on Helix.

Added benefits to MS or the consumer? If you question the benefit to MS, then I would say it's an attempt to secure Windows position as the place where gamers play on PC. This along with incidental revenue from PC Game Pass and the customers that choose to use the Xbox store.

Edit: To be specific, to combat SteamOS

 

[jshackles]

Is Cancer on Steam though?

Yes

 

[bender]

Yes

I was part of the Kickstarter project for TDC and was merely being facetious for comedic effect. Don't make me sic old man Topher on you.

 

[DeVeAn]

I haven't held one in hand, but again, I'm mainly stating that's not a hardware product made by Microsoft.

I expect the Rog Ally X to be fully compatiable with Helix...but that's more of a Xbox branded Steam Deck if anything.

Unless Xbox changes their "vision" the Helix will be a more powerful console box that behaves like XAX almost exactly with closed "Console mode" User can install steam in desktop mode flip back to Xbox mode or just use big picture mode.

 

[IntentionalPun]

I disagree personally.

If Microsoft has an established PC storefront with perks/backwards compatibility through all 4 previous generations, it'll still sell on that merit alone.

I don't see any added benefits of them having Steam(which I'm specifically speaking on), being on Helix.

For one they aren't going to magically have 4 previous gen's of BC, particularly not via the "Storefront", as Magnus the chipset is going to almost certainly going to be required for Xbox Series gen compatability.

But even beyond that, there will be thousands and thousands of games on Steam not on Microsoft's storefront. So other than as a way to appeal to existing Xbox gamers who own things via their Xbox purchases, is "BC" really much competition?

 

[poodaddy]

JUST checked, just says it'll play PC games.

There's multiple storefronts on PC that allow that.

Ehh, I'll concede that to ya, but I still think the principal interpretation of that will be that it's a PC of some sort, and any PC would support Steam.

Here's my expectation: I believe it will be a mid to upper mid PC with a decent AMD APU and Windows 11 with a custom interface that's Xbox themed.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Ehh, I'll concede that to ya, but I still think the principal interpretation of that will be that it's a PC of some sort, and any PC would support Steam.

Here's my expectation: I believe it will be a mid to upper mid PC with a decent AMD APU and Windows 11 with a custom interface that's Xbox themed.

With BC baked into the chip

 

[Artistic]

For one they aren't going to magically have 4 previous gen's of BC, particularly not via the "Storefront", as Magnus the chipset is going to almost certainly going to be required for Xbox Series gen compatability.

But even beyond that, there will be thousands and thousands of games on Steam not on Microsoft's storefront. So other than as a way to appeal to existing Xbox gamers who own things via their Xbox purchases, is "BC" really much competition?

Yes.

 

[Mr Moose]

It's a PC, why wouldn't it be?

 

[poodaddy]

With BC baked into the chip

If they do that, they guarantee a sale with me, not joking at all. I got a hell of a collection over those years, and though I'm pretty much all PC these days, I'd buy to keep that. Would just toss it on my downstairs living room TV. Wouldn't be a revolutionary product by any stretch, but it would fit my need.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Yes.

To who?

Since you think Steam won't be on the next Xbox.. who is going to forgo a gaming PC to get a Helix just because it has Backwards Compatability with old Xbox generations, that isn't already an Xbox gamer?

Who are these people who can't just... buy an existing Xbox to play these games, but would abandon PC gaming or maybe Playstation to go to the Helix "competitor" because it can play old Xbox titles?