Expensive reader, whereas I do like Recreation Cross—it is usually an excellent deal when the lineup’s sturdy—I feel you may agree after I say I’ve by no means loved the expertise of utilizing the Xbox app. Microsoft can not seem to cobble collectively a person interface that works after perfecting the idea again within the Home windows XP days, and it has been a gradual slide downhill ever since.
The corporate is, nonetheless, attempting to stroll that again with an upcoming mission—it kind of stumbled on the first block, although, by by accident enjoying its arms slightly early. On a GDC 2025 weblog, Microsoft by accident flaunted a picture earlier than taking it down, proven under (through The Verge). You will must squint, however there’s additionally a “Categorised as Microsoft Extremely Confidential” watermark on the highest and backside left of the picture. Oops.
As you would possibly be capable of see, tucked cheekily subsequent to the “Recreation Cross” tab is a label that clearly reads Steam. Coincidence? I feel not! The Verge additionally reviews that “sources accustomed to Microsoft’s plans inform me that the corporate is presently engaged on an Xbox app replace that may present each sport you have got put in in your PC”.
It has been just a few years—round three, to be exact—since PC Gamer’s personal Tyler Wilde wrote these prophetic phrases on our website: “They actually all got here crawlin’ again to Steam, did not they?” He is asleep as I am scripting this, however I am certain he is presently at GDC, feeling happy as punch to be vindicated as soon as extra.
Okay, however what in regards to the weblog publish? Properly, it is largely full of industry-speak that’ll make your eyes glaze over in document time, resembling “the gaming {industry} continues to evolve” and “as we glance towards 2025 and past”. It is a pat on the again with some enterprise assertions, bragging about all of the strides in cloud gaming. Jolly good chewing materials for buyers, not a lot precise data.
As for the thought of an ‘the whole lot app’? I am not truly ragging at Microsoft for this, thoughts. It is annoying to have all your video games scattered to the 4 winds of videogame launchers—any app that collates them is doing an excellent factor, in my e book. Heck, I actively like the concept that I might launch my Recreation Cross video games and Steam video games from the identical window.
The query, nonetheless, is whether or not this’ll truly be higher than the present choices. Microsoft’s not doing a lot new, right here—GOG Galaxy’s existed in some type since 2019, as has Playnite. Underneath regular circumstances, I might say Microsoft has a house subject benefit, having the ability to slap this factor into your laptop by default as a part of its race so as to add bloatware to the expertise of getting a PC—however the Xbox app hasn’t precisely competed with Steam, has it?
Properly, if you cannot beat them, be part of them. It is doing okay for Ubisoft, who’re having fun with strong participant counts on Murderer’s Creed: Shadows after limping again to papa Valve. So it goes.
