Steam video games come to the Xbox app in newest beta

That is an Xbox. If you happen to’re studying these phrases on any form of web-connected display screen, particularly if it’s a Home windows PC, Microsoft desires you to assume that. To double down on its every thing, all over the place, technique, and upfront of that new Asus ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft is aggregating PC video games within the Xbox PC app, beginning with Steam.

The newest model of the Xbox app for PC, accessible by way of the “Insider Hub” program (a beta, separate from the Home windows Insider builds of Home windows 11 itself), can now see your Steam library. The brand new performance was introduced on the Xbox weblog, and noticed by The Verge.

“When a participant installs a recreation from a supported PC storefront, it’ll robotically seem in ‘My library’ inside the Xbox PC app, in addition to the ‘Most up-to-date’ checklist of titles within the sidebar — making it simpler than ever to leap again into your video games,” the put up explains. “And that is only the start. We’ll proceed rolling out assist for added PC storefronts over time.”

Since most of my shameful PC recreation assortment is certainly inside Steam, with solely a handful of freebies and Sea of Thieves related to my Microsoft/Xbox account, I loaded up the Insider Hub and launched the Xbox app to test it out. Sadly it’s not recognizing my Steam library video games, even a few titles I downloaded only for this text, regardless of exhibiting that I’m working on the Xbox Insider construct. Womp-womp. Perhaps there’s a motive Microsoft name-checked Battle.internet (which Microsoft owns) in its put up whereas studiously avoiding naming Steam.

That stated, PCWorld video chief Adam Patrick Murray studies he can see his Steam video games within the Xbox app, after additionally activating beta builds on Steam as effectively.

Microsoft says that different PC-based storefronts might be coming to this interface quickly. Which is sweet, as a result of by the point the ROG Xbox Ally launches later this 12 months, it must be firing on all cylinders. Regardless of the Xbox branding, the PC gaming handheld might be working Home windows 11, full with an overhauled, slimmed-down, console-style interface that goals to assist it compete with the Steam Deck. It’s a small a part of Microsoft’s pivot to being a publishing and subscription powerhouse, leaning extra on software program and companies than promoting {hardware}.