Leaked Xbox UI shows Steam filter before Microsoft pulls it
Xbox recently revealed an image in a blog post that included a Steam filter as part of a potential UI update, only to remove the image shortly thereafter. The image, which displayed various devices for playing Xbox games, was noted by The Verge before Microsoft quickly eliminated any trace of it. The Verge was first the spread the news.
Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Microsoft is indeed working on an update for the Xbox app that would enable users to view any installed games on their PC, specifically referencing both Steam and the Epic Games Store, with games labeled accordingly within the app. However, this update is reportedly in the early stages of development, meaning its release is not guaranteed.
Xbox head Phil Spencer expressed interest in integrating storefronts like itch.io and the Epic Games Store into Xbox in a previous interview with Polygon, hinting at broader cross-platform ambitions.
Image: Microsoft (via The Verge)
The blog post, titled “GDC 2025: Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox,” emphasizes Xbox’s commitment to gaming accessibility and cross-platform integration as it moves toward 2025 and beyond. In it, Leo Olebe, VP of Global Partnerships at Xbox, outlined the mission to enhance gaming experiences across various devices and platforms, stating, “Our goal is simple: to make every screen in the world an Xbox.”
Image: Microsoft (via The Verge)
Xbox’s ongoing initiatives include improving the Xbox PC App and launching the Stream Your Own Game service for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, allowing purchases and streaming outside the existing Game Pass catalog. This initiative has gained traction in Latin America and has significantly increased player engagement for partners.
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Furthermore, the expansion of the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative allows players to buy a game once and play it across multiple platforms, enhancing user engagement and retention. Xbox reported that games under this initiative see 20% more playtime than those that are not.
Xbox continues to grow its cloud gaming sector and the service currently reaches over 100 million devices globally, with expectations to double its addressable market within the next year through ongoing partnerships with companies like Samsung and LG.
Featured image credit: Microsoft