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[kevboard]

They might take a cut.

If steam games work out of box on xbox console, they will require some optimisation from MS.

they won't work out of the box, they will just be PC games that you have to set your settings yourself. there will probably be a warning if you install 3rd party launchers that compatibility is not guaranteed and stuff like that.

 

[awwr999999]

Way less than a lot of people here want to believe... simply a way to access Steam library using Xbox app. This way, MS can use Steam users and count them as Xbox users.

Running games designed to run natively on Windows via Steam's app via the Xbox app.

 

[demigod]

They might take a cut.

If steam games work out of box on xbox console, they will require some optimisation from MS.

MS could charge, say 10% from players over 30% that steam gets. Or, they could settle on revenue sharing.

But realistically, I think steam games on console will be slightly more expensive than pc.

 

[Thicc Enigma]

So basically doing the same thing Galaxy does
Nothing crazy about this

 

[Ritsumei2020]

Accessibility for gamers is awesome but how does this move the needle for Xbox? I am not trying to be a smartass but to understand the expectations. Is it supposed to sell hardware? Is it supposed to sell more Xbox games to PC players? Will MS/XB get a cut from Steam sales if sold through the app? Tie it to advertising revenue? All of the above?

Honestly? Think this is going to be like one of those obscure measures like ‘engagement’. In practice, it does not help Xbox sell hardware or games.

However, the optics of it will make it look like Xbox is achieving something somehow, but there will be no measurable way to say what that is.

I guess they may say something “a million people used the Xbox app to purchase Steam games”. And everybody will be like “OK…?”

But somehow Phil Spencer will treat it as some kind of achievement for Xbox.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Honestly? Think this is going to be like one of those obscure measures like ‘engagement’. In practice, it does not help Xbox sell hardware or games.

However, the optics of it will make it look like Xbox is achieving something somehow, but there will be no measurable way to say what that is.

I guess they may say something “a million people used the Xbox app to purchase Steam games”. And everybody will be like “OK…?”

But somehow Phil Spencer will treat it as some kind of achievement for Xbox.

Whatever sales expectation they had for it, Microsoft would just say they didn't meet sales expectations and walk away. As was mentioned in the past, MS was worried about how to let down their devout followers. Pulling the plug was apparently too fast for them and this appears to be the solution to let their customers get on the lifeboats and get off the sinking ship. Also note that all GamePass Ultimate customers are given PC Gamepass rights automatically. That means in theory their most valuable customers can be retained.

 

[Illiterate Actual]

Eff this bullshit I'm installing the Linux.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

Accessibility for gamers is awesome but how does this move the needle for Xbox? I am not trying to be a smartass but to understand the expectations. Is it supposed to sell hardware? Is it supposed to sell more Xbox games to PC players? Will MS/XB get a cut from Steam sales if sold through the app? Tie it to advertising revenue? All of the above?

I have thought the same every single time people talk about Steam on consoles.

Steam = games store for people buying their own hardware. Hardware manufacturers making pc parts sell them at a profit.

Consoles = hardware sold at break even and profit is made on software sales.

So, a console manufacturer selling hardware that allows for 3rd party stores doesn't seem to make sense, I don't get what's in it for them, unless they can get those 3rd party stores to share the revenue of sales made through their hardware. Is that what the plan is expected to be? To allow more stores but negotiate a cut from them? Could and would they give away half their share? Would that be enough for Microsoft to worry about?

 

[Mattyp]

The next Xbox will have the steam store on it, been calling it for awhile now people just didn’t want to believe.

Up to developers to make their games compatible or not but considering xbox games are just .exe dumps and only reason they don’t run is missing libraries there won’t be anything to it on the next box.

 

[Ashamam]

The next Xbox will have the steam store on it, been calling it for awhile now people just didn’t want to believe.

Who didn't want to believe? It still doesn't make a lot of business sense (to me) but it felt like more a case people thought it might be happening but couldn't understand how they would make it work financially.

You are pretty high profile, so when you say 'people' its not clear whether you are talking about randoms here on GAF, comments in your content feeds, or people in your information circles. Little tired of people buying into tribal bullshit and look to people like yourself to provide good context without the typical low information takes.

If its just random comments from idiots warring, do us all a favour and ignore them, don't reference them at all and just stick to the facts or intelligent analysis without the whole us vs them subtones.

 

[DenchDeckard]

This post sums it up good:


It would be MS effectively throwing in the towel. What to watch for: will MS support their games better on other platforms vs Xbox platforms. This happened with Windows Phone/Mobile. Skype support was better on Android and iPhone after the acquisition.

Ms threw in the towel over a year ago now. The console war is done. Sony won.

Having two boxes that are more or less the same. Offering a walled garden environment doesn't make sense for MS anymore. They can't win that battle. They said they need to offer something different than a traditional walled garden console.

This seems to be them trying something different.

If they can get steam working in a semi console environment. That will be interesting to see.

 

[ValiantInstance]

Now this would actually resurrect the Series consoles.

I have no idea how it would work with multiplayer games though. Surely having seperate networks on one console is confusing for the average consumer, unless games are required to have cross progression like Call of Duty.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

If this doesn't let users connect their existing libraries (and therefore cut Microsoft out of the equation, except for MAYBE getting a cut from users that purchase direct on the Xbox store or something), then it's 100% DOA

There are lot of ways this could work. Am assuming people will be allowed to bring older library with some caveats.

Like … no guarantee for compatibility, or something like that.

That demand is hypothetically possible, but that is why Steam developed Steam OS.

As long as Steam is capable of being installed independently of Windows, there is nothing Microsoft can do to threaten Steam or demand rent.

Microsoft does not get to ask Steam for money. Gabe was a former Microsoft Employee, he knows what kind of people he is dealing with and how to prevent obvious risks like that.

We are talking xbox console here. If xbox optimise each game separately, they could charge a fee for it. From devs/steam/customers, could be from anyone.

Or they can leave it upto devs, to set it up with optimised settings when downloaded on consoles.

they won't work out of the box, they will just be PC games that you have to set your settings yourself. there will probably be a warning if you install 3rd party launchers that compatibility is not guaranteed and stuff like that.

But then how will anyone troubleshoot if some issue arises. They will have to open up the OS a lot more.

Wouldn’t be a console experience at that point. Will result in plenty of refunds.

 

[Ashamam]

Now this would actually resurrect the Series consoles.

I don't think they will bring the feature back to Series consoles imho.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

We are talking xbox console here. If xbox optimise each game separately, they could charge a fee for it. From devs/steam/customers, could be from anyone.

Or they can leave it upto devs, to set it up with optimised settings when downloaded on consoles.

Oh, you mean Xbox can ask the gamer to pay more? Not the first time, Xbox used to ask their customers to pay monthly for Fortnite. But Xbox can't ask for a share of the profits; they can only demand additional fees on top for their customer, like a tariff.

Of course, if you were given the choice of buying a Steam game at normal prices or paying EXTRA to Xbox on top, you might not find the idea of a tariff enticing...

 

[Topher]

It’s clearly the interface running on a TV screen.

This isn’t just for a handheld or the PC app.

Maybe, maybe not. It is clearly the app which is distinct from the Xbox console UI. We see the same interface on the Rog and the tablet. I don’t see how you can say that is also the console.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Oh, you mean Xbox can ask the gamer to pay more? Not the first time, Xbox used to ask their customers to pay monthly for Fortnite. But Xbox can't ask for a share of the profits; they can only demand additional fees on top for their customer, like a tariff.

Of course, if you were given the choice of buying a Steam game at normal prices or paying EXTRA to Xbox on top, you might not find the idea of a tariff enticing...

You do realise this is speculation right?

Thats one way to make it work.

Console players have always paid extra for streamlined compatibility and online experience.

If anyone doesn’t want that, they can go pc route.

 

[Esppiral]

It’s clearly the interface running on a TV screen.

This isn’t just for a handheld or the PC app.

Why no one mentions that the console and controller lol slightly different? Maybe is just me but I don't remember thos green accents on both and what are that sparkles on the series X?

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

Or they can leave it upto devs, to set it up with optimised settings when downloaded on consoles.

I would expect them to handle future Xbox devices just like they did with their own Deck. We will get an info box in the right sidebar of the product detail page informing us about the compatibility with Xbox certified devices. This includes a preset graphical setting (or whatever) by the devs as well as the guarantee that control schemes are supported. Just like we have protondb today, we'll probably get a similar site for Xbox devices. From Valves perspective, this is just adding a new device (or multiple) to their portfolio of supported machines that are not PCs in the traditional sense.

 

[kevboard]

But then how will anyone troubleshoot if some issue arises. They will have to open up the OS a lot more.

Wouldn’t be a console experience at that point. Will result in plenty of refunds.

the way I think this will work is like this:

out of the box, the system will just be an Xbox. you turn it on, you have a typical console dashboard, just like the Series X now.

from here you can access the Microsoft Store, you can get to your library, your friends list and so on.


then, in the sidebar, maybe somewhere on your profile tab, they will have an option to go into desktop mode, very similar to the Steam Deck (the deck has it in the power options tho)

in desktop mode you have a normal Windows 11 interface, and your controller defaults to moving the Mouse on the right stick, RT being your left click and LT being right click, and a button combo to open an on-screen keyboard.

here you now have to download Steam like you usually do on a PC. open browser, download, double click the installer and so on.

after that you go back into Xbox mode, where the dashboard will detect that you have a third party launcher installed, and asks you if you want to add it to the Dashboard as a new tab.


in this Steam tab (I assume GoG, Epic, EA etc. will work like this too) you see the installed games which you can launch basically like a normal Xbox game.

and there will probably be another menu item there that opens the launcher itself from within the Xbox mode (which will be handled like the system currently handles web browsers and other UWP apps that are mainly designed for Windows).


basically, what I'm saying is... that it will probably work nearly exactly like it does on the Steam Deck, probably with less issues however as Windows generally will give you less issues than Steam OS because all these launchers are native to Windows and all their games also work perfectly on Windows... which isn't the case on Steam OS, where basically all third party launchers need workarounds (Heroic Launcher covers Epic, GoG and Amazon at least).

The Steam Deck will probably be the main inspiration for Microsoft on how to handle this PC/Console fusion, because the Steam Deck basically already is exactly that... it's a Console like system, that also has access to a decently capable PC OS

 

[ManaByte]

what are that sparkles on the series X?

That’s the 2TB limited edition.

 

[Markio128]

Xbox could give access to everlasting life and they’d still struggle selling it.

 

[POKEYCLYDE]

Can't see that happening. For one, the Series X replacement will probably be somewhat more performant than the PS5 Pro, and MS won't have economies of scale to do a subsidization strategy, even with OEMs involved.

What do you think the price will be, ball park?

For what I think this next Xbox will be, I think it would be insane to price it like a PC. Because at that point why not just buy a PC? But if they're going to market it like a console, which I think they will, part of that is pricing it in line with what you'd expect a consoles price to be.

 

[cireza]

I wonder how well games made to run on PC would transition to running on a console though. You lose the optimization, so I would expect poor results in the more elaborated games. Or maybe it is streaming only ?

 

[Three]

They might take a cut.

MS could charge, say 10% from players over 30% that steam gets. Or, they could settle on revenue sharing.

Realistically how do you figure this would work?
If they charge 10% more what's stopping somebody buying the game on the steam web store for 10% off and then what would be the point of the xbox store percentage since nobody would buy it from there. You're making no sense.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Good. Let me earn my rewards playing Microsoft games on Steam.

Other than that, this just comes across as Microsoft games are available on a variety of devices and platforms. There’s no indication about Steam coming to Xbox which wouldn’t make sense.

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

Realistically how do you figure this would work?
If they charge 10% more what's stopping somebody buying the game on the steam web store for 10% off and then what would be the point of the xbox store percentage since nobody would buy it from there. You're making no sense.

Why buy from steam when you can buy from gg deals … some people like convenience

 

[nani17]

So, if you can access Steam on your Xbox app, which will possibly be part of the next console/handheld, does this mean you will be able to play PlayStation games through Steam on your Xbox?

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Xbox could give access to everlasting life and they’d still struggle selling it.

But that's the thing, Xbox did everything they can to make Xbox successful, except the one thing that would have worked. A consistent and reliable output of games people want to buy. Trying to offer eternal life isn't going to make their games less shit.

 

[Three]

Why buy from steam when you can buy from gg deals … some people like convenience

GG deals isn't a store. It's a price comparison site to get it cheaper than steam from key resellers. That makes it even worse in terms of price for somebody paying 10% above steam because they can just buy keys even cheaper meaning >10% discount. What usually puts people off those sites is because people don't know how legitimate they are or there may not be keys available. Nobody has this issue with steam though. Everybody knows it's legit and they will get 10% cheaper than buying from xbox.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Maybe, maybe not. It is clearly the app which is distinct from the Xbox console UI. We see the same interface on the Rog and the tablet. I don’t see how you can say that is also the console.

Just my interpretation is since we do see the screens on the ROG and tablet and the consoles also sitting there its implied its the same app running on those consoles

I take it as the future is one unified app across all devices

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

GG deals isn't a store. It's a price comparison site to get it cheaper than steam from key resellers. That makes it even worse in terms of price for somebody paying 10% above steam because they can just buy keys even cheaper meaning >10% discount. What usually puts people off those sites is because people don't know how legitimate they are or there may not be keys available. Nobody has this issue with steam though. Everybody knows it's legit and they will get 10% cheaper than buying from xbox.

It’s pretty much a store and most people who give a shit about price would buy from it

 

[Markio128]

But that's the thing, Xbox did everything they can to make Xbox successful, except the one thing that would have worked. A consistent and reliable output of games people want to buy. Trying to offer eternal life isn't going to make their games less shit.

I’d argue that the biggest selling games are third-party games, the majority of which are available on Xbox. You can even play stuff like COD on Gamepass. Additionally, MS have released decent reviewing games in Indy, Avowed, MS Flight Sim, HB2. I don’t think this can be used as an excuse.

I put it down to poor marketing, poor management, and not differentiating the console enough from a PC.

Historically, console gamers are fun loving souls who want a console that screams fun. The Xbox SX screams dull.

 

[Three]

It’s pretty much a store and most people who give a shit about price would buy from it

It's a price aggregator site to get the cheapest prices from 60 different actual stores but yes people who have no problem buying from key resellers compare prices and use the site.

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

It's a price aggregate site to get the cheapest prices from 60 different actual stores but yes people who have no problem buying from key resellers compare prices and use the site.

Yeah, and it effectively functions as the cheapest store to buy games. But it's not as convenient as buying straight from Steam, etc.

 

[Gamezone]

So why would I want to use tab instead of just clicking my Steam.exe? Can someone please clarify?

 

[Bert Big Balls]

Honestly? This is the best thing they could have done.

 

[Burger King]

Nothing revolutionary.

The Xbox PC app also works as a launcher for games installed on the PC purchased from other stores.

It works similarly to how it does for TV apps from many different companies that incorporate the ability to launch movies and TV series from different streaming platforms.

Personally, if I want to watch a Prime Video movie, I open the Prime Video app and I don't do it from the Android OS TV screen.

And I will do the same for PC games.

 

[Parazels]

the way I think this will work is like this:

out of the box, the system will just be an Xbox. you turn it on, you have a typical console dashboard, just like the Series X now.

from here you can access the Microsoft Store, you can get to your library, your friends list and so on.


then, in the sidebar, maybe somewhere on your profile tab, they will have an option to go into desktop mode, very similar to the Steam Deck (the deck has it in the power options tho)

in desktop mode you have a normal Windows 11 interface, and your controller defaults to moving the Mouse on the right stick, RT being your left click and LT being right click, and a button combo to open an on-screen keyboard.

here you now have to download Steam like you usually do on a PC. open browser, download, double click the installer and so on.

after that you go back into Xbox mode, where the dashboard will detect that you have a third party launcher installed, and asks you if you want to add it to the Dashboard as a new tab.


in this Steam tab (I assume GoG, Epic, EA etc. will work like this too) you see the installed games which you can launch basically like a normal Xbox game.

and there will probably be another menu item there that opens the launcher itself from within the Xbox mode (which will be handled like the system currently handles web browsers and other UWP apps that are mainly designed for Windows).

I hope Microsoft reward you for the ready to go manual.

 

[Gamezone]

Way less than a lot of people here want to believe... simply a way to access Steam library using Xbox app. This way, MS can use Steam users and count them as Xbox users.

So will I earn Xbox achievements when using the Steam tab? If not, it's not part of the Xbox ecosystem at all.

 

[Three]

Yeah, and it effectively functions as the cheapest store to buy games. But it's not as convenient as buying straight from Steam, etc.

Yes, because people have trust issues with some key sellers and because it's from 60 different stores you need to buy from. this isn't the case when Steam is an alternative to xbox, steam isn't inconvenient, steam is known, steam is one store for all the games and all your purchases, steam would be cheaper than xbox. Nobody sane would pay 10% to buy from the xbox store instead just for the sake of it.

 

[Astray]

I think their thinking is they will try and advertise the shit out of Xbox games on the app, trying to get you to purchase Game Pass or direct Xbox games( This will not work lol).

They're trying to piggyback off Steam without getting any actual value out of it, I have my popcorn ready for when it blows up in their faces.

A desperate management team in desperate times tries desperate things.

Xbox must be really dying for Microsoft to want to partner with Steam so much.

This is part of their soft-landing and sunsetting of the Xbox console business.

They're trying to spin it as this special plan but we all know what it is.

MS pulled the image. It wasn’t meant to be seen yet.

Lol they posted it fully knowing what they're doing. Tom Warren of all people "noticing it" tells you everything.

Microsoft has been doing fake leaks for ages now.

 

[PauloRoberto]

So will I earn Xbox achievements when using the Steam tab? If not, it's not part of the Xbox ecosystem at all.

Tell that to the 'everything is a xbox' geniouses :-D

 

[DanielG165]

MS pulled the image. It wasn’t meant to be seen yet.

These companies most definitely know what they’re doing. This was meant to drum up discussion.

 

[DanielG165]

Xbox must be really dying for Microsoft to want to partner with Steam so much.

Or, and hear me out here… Steam is the most lucrative and popular gaming entity on PC. As Xbox moves to become firmly third party, it absolutely makes sense to partner with Valve, whom they apparently have a close relationship with.

 

[Sorcerer]

The only way this makes sense is that Microsoft are taking a "If we can't beat them then join them approach". Perhaps they can't compete with Steam, but by offering Steam on the console they can at least try to keep Windows/Xbox OS relevant and not have people switch over to Linux/Steam OS (doing more damage to their bottom line in the long run).

 

[reinking]

the way I think this will work is like this:

out of the box, the system will just be an Xbox. you turn it on, you have a typical console dashboard, just like the Series X now.

from here you can access the Microsoft Store, you can get to your library, your friends list and so on.


then, in the sidebar, maybe somewhere on your profile tab, they will have an option to go into desktop mode, very similar to the Steam Deck (the deck has it in the power options tho)

in desktop mode you have a normal Windows 11 interface, and your controller defaults to moving the Mouse on the right stick, RT being your left click and LT being right click, and a button combo to open an on-screen keyboard.

here you now have to download Steam like you usually do on a PC. open browser, download, double click the installer and so on.

after that you go back into Xbox mode, where the dashboard will detect that you have a third party launcher installed, and asks you if you want to add it to the Dashboard as a new tab.


in this Steam tab (I assume GoG, Epic, EA etc. will work like this too) you see the installed games which you can launch basically like a normal Xbox game.

and there will probably be another menu item there that opens the launcher itself from within the Xbox mode (which will be handled like the system currently handles web browsers and other UWP apps that are mainly designed for Windows).


basically, what I'm saying is... that it will probably work nearly exactly like it does on the Steam Deck, probably with less issues however as Windows generally will give you less issues than Steam OS because all these launchers are native to Windows and all their games also work perfectly on Windows... which isn't the case on Steam OS, where basically all third party launchers need workarounds (Heroic Launcher covers Epic, GoG and Amazon at least).

The Steam Deck will probably be the main inspiration for Microsoft on how to handle this PC/Console fusion, because the Steam Deck basically already is exactly that... it's a Console like system, that also has access to a decently capable PC OS

Maybe but I see that going about like Linux on PS3. Typical console gamers do not want to deal with downloading separate storefronts and having multiple payment accounts to deal with. If Xbox does this, it needs to be seamless for the mass users and not just an option for the enthusiast.

 

[Topher]

Just my interpretation is since we do see the screens on the ROG and tablet and the consoles also sitting there its implied its the same app running on those consoles

I take it as the future is one unified app across all devices

It could be. These are things coming out of marketing so I'm going to look at that sideways every time. Fun to speculate though so I'll stop being that guy trying to throw water on it.

 

[Humdinger]

I think it will be around the price of a "PRO". $700, tops $800. So still subsidized but not to the extent that people expect.

Fwiw, in a leak/rumor several months back, Sneakers indicated that the PC hybrid version would be priced at $1000 or more, intended only for an "elite" niche willing to pay that premium, and expected to sell very modest amounts during its lifetime.

I think their big challenge is going to be converting anyone who isn’t already on PC or happy with a PlayStation. If you’re a PC gamer I’m not sure why you’d choose a console box instead of the hardware you’re already using. And if you’re on PlayStation, presumably you aren’t interested in getting a PC, or maybe you have one too, in which case I’d refer you back to issue number one.

Who is this for, is my question? I guess if it’s done right and the hardware doesn’t suck it’s a compelling purchase, but im not sure if it’s the kind of thing anyone is going to stop what they’re already doing for.

I think there are some console gamers who would like to sample the advantages of PC gaming (e.g., mods, any exclusives) but are put off by the tech hassles/hurdles. If MS (or any company) could offer PC gaming but with a console-like experience (plug and play), they might attract some buyers. I'm in that position myself.

I don't think that contingent is a large one, but it is there.

You are pretty high profile, so when you say 'people' its not clear whether you are talking about randoms here on GAF, comments in your content feeds, or people in your information circles. Little tired of people buying into tribal bullshit and look to people like yourself to provide good context without the typical low information takes.

He's not Matty P the Youtuber. He's just a regular guy on GAF.

 

[Astray]

The only way this makes sense is that Microsoft are taking a "If we can't beat them then join them approach". Perhaps they can't compete with Steam, but by offering Steam on the console they can at least try to keep Windows/Xbox OS relevant and not have people switch over to Linux/Steam OS (doing more damage to their bottom line in the long run).

I'll honestly recite my GOG Galaxy experience here.. Largely positive, all my launchers (EGS, UbiConnect etc) work with it consistently with no issues.. Except Steam.

Is this because Valve cares so much about my not using their launcher? No, otherwise they'd close the API to GOG (and Playnite etc) and be done with it.

No, what's happening there is If you don't have an contractual agreement with Valve, then they don't really have to care about the state of your API integration when they're doing their own dev work.

Meaning that what this will result in is Microsoft spending resources on building this thing with no actual value gain.

No sane big publisher is going to give them Play Anywhere licensing (especially on backcompat titles.. A massive new source of profit margins via remasters etc), and they get nothing out of any Steam purchases (unless they made a profit sharing agreement, which is basically unworkable imho).