No more Xbox games on Steam? Microsoft insider has “interesting information”

Microsoft has been releasing its games not only through its own Xbox Store, but also on Valve's competing platform, Steam. However, according to Microsoft insider Jez Corden during an appearance on Rand al Thor 19's podcast, that could eventually change. The discussion began with a viewer asking whether Microsoft might remove its games from Steam around the launch of its next Xbox hardware or a few years later – perhaps once its own PC storefront is in a stronger position.

Corden responded by saying he has "interesting information" about Microsoft's future PC strategy. However, he declined to elaborate, explaining that he wasn't sure whether he was allowed to discuss it publicly. According to him, Microsoft has specific plans for how it wants to position itself on PC going forward. In his view, those plans could eventually give the company the option to move away from Steam.

That said, Corden was careful not to present this as confirmation of an actual plan. He merely stated that such a move would not surprise him. At the same time, he admitted that he doesn't yet know what Microsoft's reported PC strategy would ultimately mean for Steam. One thing that is known, however, is that strengthening Microsoft's own hardware is one of the four pillars of its future Xbox strategy – and making more Xbox titles exclusive to its own ecosystem by leaving Steam would certainly align with that goal.

Community warns of major sales losses

If Microsoft is seriously considering such a move, it would likely face significant backlash from the PC gaming community. On Reddit, the rumor has been met largely with skepticism and criticism. Citing technical issues and poor past experiences with the Xbox app, many users say they would refuse to buy games directly through Microsoft. Others point to previous attempts by EA and Ubisoft to push PC gamers toward their own launchers – efforts that ultimately ended with both publishers returning to Steam.

While some Reddit users understand Microsoft's potential reasoning, the prevailing opinion is that the resulting loss in sales would outweigh any benefits gained from strengthening the Xbox platform through exclusives or avoiding Valve's revenue share.