A few years ago, the idea of Microsoft embracing rival platforms would’ve raised eyebrows. However, it has gradually shifted its gaming strategy to become more open and platform-inclusive, encouraging players to access their games across devices, whether on Xbox, PC, through the cloud, or even PS.
Driving this shift are initiatives like Game Pass and cross-platform releases. According to a report from an insider, Microsoft may already be working on the next step in that vision: integrating Steam into its future consoles as part of a deeper alignment with the PC gaming ecosystem.
Steam integration already in testing, says insider
According to insider eXtas1s, Microsoft has already begun internal testing of Steam integration within its ecosystem. The Steam app has reportedly appeared under the name “Steam Developer Beta” in Microsoft’s list of support software, accessible only to select employees and collaborators.
While this isn’t publicly available yet, it signals that the company is laying the technical groundwork for a more seamless experience between its platforms. This potential integration isn’t just about convenience, it reflects a strategic shift. As the insider said:
Everything is going to be developed around PC environments. Those logically need Steam integration and you’ll have that in your Microsoft Store when you turn on your next generation Xbox console.
By allowing Steam to run natively on future Xbox hardware, the company is opening the door to a massive library of PC titles, indie games, and user-created content previously inaccessible on consoles.
Additionally, it also positions Xbox as a more flexible, PC-like device, part of a broader move to unify the user experience across Windows and Xbox. This isn’t the first time such a possibility has been discussed.
Other industry watchers have previously suggested that deeper Steam integration could be on the horizon. Now, with the recent report, early testing underway, Microsoft seems to be actively exploring how to make it a reality for the next console generation.
A glimpse at the future of Xbox
Microsoft’s apparent move to integrate Steam isn’t just a feature update; it hints at what the next generation of Xbox hardware might become. Several speculation suggests that Microsoft’s upcoming console (alongside a handheld), expected around 2027, could blur the lines even further.
The goal seems to be a unified platform where users can access Windows-based software, Steam, Game Pass, and Xbox titles in one place, without the limitations traditionally associated with consoles.
Just imagine if Steam becomes a native part of the Xbox experience, it would not only solidify the console’s position as a hybrid device but also offer the ease of console gaming with the freedom and depth of a PC platform.
For gamers, that means more choice, more flexibility, and far fewer barriers between where and how they play. And for Microsoft, it could be a defining move in shaping the future of console gaming, not as a walled garden, but as an open gateway into the broader gaming universe.
