A recent oversight by Microsoft has sparked a wave of speculation about a possible integration of Steam into the Xbox ecosystem. In a post on the company's official blog, an image was shown showing a tab dedicated to Valve's platform within the Xbox user interface. Although the image was quickly removed, rumors of future compatibility between the two platforms have not been long in coming.
The image in question was part of a post made by Leo Olebe, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Xbox. In it, the Xbox interface could be seen displayed on various devices, including consoles, laptops, and mobile phones. What caught our attention was the presence of a Steam tab alongside the usual options like "Installed," "Game Pass," and "Recently Added." This revelation has led many to wonder if Microsoft is working on an integration that would allow gamers to access their Steam account. steam library directly from the console.
What implications could this integration have?
If this feature were to materialize, it could mark a major change in the way Xbox gamers access their PC titles. Until now, Xbox consoles have maintained a closed ecosystem In terms of gaming platforms, with its own purchasing and subscription system through the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass. However, the possible inclusion of Steam within the interface could open the door to greater compatibility with PC titles, as mentioned in the guide to Xbox games on Steam.
Microsoft briefly posted a new Xbox UI mockup that includes a Steam games filter.
According to sources, MS is working on an Xbox app update (currently in early stages) that shows every game installed on your PC including Steam and EGS titleshttps://t.co/hIDk2a4lwT pic.twitter.com/48hY2u3Fyn
- Wario64 (@Wario64) March 20, 2025
One of the main questions is how this integration would work. One possibility is that Xbox simply provides a shortcut to the steam library, allowing players to manage their games without having to switch devices. Another more ambitious option would be the incorporation of native compatibility with Steam titles, allowing them to run directly from the Xbox without the need for a PC, something that could be similar to the functionality of Steam Link.
Microsoft and its strategy towards opening its ecosystem
This move would fit into Microsoft's strategy of turning Xbox into a more flexible gaming platform. In recent years, the company has shown a growing interest in the interoperability between PC and consoles, something evident with the introduction of Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows you to use the same game on both console and PC with shared progress.
In addition, the company has invested heavily in the cloud with Xbox Cloud Gaming, offering the ability to play across multiple devices without the need for powerful hardware. Steam integration into the Xbox console could be the next logical step in this evolution, allowing gamers to expand their options without being limited to the Microsoft ecosystem, as detailed in the Xbox vs. Steam Deck comparison.
Silence from Microsoft
For now, Microsoft has not made any official statement on the matter., nor confirmed whether the appearance of the Steam tab in the Xbox interface was a simple visual error or a clue of what is to come. The image that triggered this speculation was quickly removed from the official blog, which could indicate that it was a element still in testing phase.
Players and industry analysts will be keeping an eye out for any announcements. to clarify whether this functionality will see the light of day or if it was simply a discarded concept. In the meantime, the possibility of accessing the steam library from an Xbox remains an exciting idea for those looking for greater freedom on their gaming platforms.
