Microsoft may be testing Steam integration inside its Store, according to new leak
The long-standing barrier between Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem and Valve’s Steam storefront might be closer to crumbling than we thought. A new leak from gaming insider @eXtas1stv claims that internal testing is already underway to bring Steam to the Microsoft Store. The reactions have ranged from confusion to cautious optimism - and even some wild speculation about what this means for the future of platform exclusivity.
Now to clarify: this doesn’t mean you'll boot up your Xbox and launch the Steam client as-is. According to most interpretations, it’s more likely that Steam titles could become available within the Microsoft Store through backend linking, rather than full client integration. This opens up plenty of possibilities - cross-library syncing, shared achievements, and maybe even smoother cross-platform multiplayer. But it also raises concerns.
Some Redditors are pointing out that this could shift third-party developers away from the Xbox Store altogether. Others think this is part of a larger play: Microsoft’s vision of a more open, platform-agnostic future, especially with rumors of an upcoming Xbox handheld gaining traction.
But then there’s the elephant in the room: if Xbox opens up to Steam, what stops Sony or Nintendo from blocking access to cross-purchased games on their platforms? Just like Nvidia had to comply when Sony asked them to block GeForce Now support for PlayStation content, Valve may face similar pressure. If this leak does hold weight, we should have an official confirmation in the not-so-distant future.
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