Epic Games Store VP discusses app for new Xbox console, teasing full-screen Steam alternative

While lagging behind Steam, the Epic Games Store continues to grow its sales and attract new users. One way the marketplace can expand further is by optimizing the app for more devices. In a Windows Central interview, VP and GM Steve Allison addresses potential plans for the new Xbox console.

Microsoft has not confirmed that its next system will support the Epic Games Store or Steam. Still, rumors point to a PC/console hybrid relying on Windows. As a result, gamers would be able to access multiple marketplaces, much like on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. Providing more clues, in June 2025, Xbox President Sarah Bond said that games wouldn’t be "locked to a single store.”

In the interview, Allison revealed that the company has had discussions with Microsoft:

If they do follow through with allowing Steam and the Epic Games Store on the next generation of Xbox console hardware, we will be there. I'm fairly certain that'll require us to build an app that functions there.

Currently, the marketplace is only designed for desktops and laptops. Couch gamers often resort to running the software in Steam through its popular Big Picture Mode. Meanwhile, the Xbox Full Screen Experience tries to make navigating menus with controllers less frustrating. Epic would need a similar capability to become a practical option on the new Xbox console.

When will a console-friendly Epic Games Store be ready?

Unfortunately, the revamped interface is only a concept at this point. Even so, it’s likely fans will see the feature arrive in the future. Referring to ROG Ally, Allison said, “We do need to build for it, it probably won't happen this year. Maybe next year.”

The Epic Games Store will undergo more than simple tweaks before the upcoming Microsoft and AMD hardware arrives. As soon as May or June, gamers may be able to try out a new launcher with rewritten code. Developers are reducing the amount of background resources the software consumes. New social features could also begin to rival the more community-driven Steam.