Xbox App Now Supports Third-Party Games, Challenging Steam’s Dominance

Microsoft has expanded the functionality of the Xbox PC app, allowing users to add and launch games from other storefronts like Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG. This move directly challenges Valve’s Steam platform and signals Microsoft’s ambition to make the Xbox app a central hub for all PC gaming.

Centralizing Your Game Library

The fresh feature enables PC gamers to consolidate their gaming libraries within a single application, a capability Steam has offered for years. Users can add virtually any .exe file, including games and applications, to their Xbox library. This includes emulators and productivity applications, broadening the app’s utility beyond traditional gaming.

How to Add Games to Your Xbox Library

Adding games to the Xbox app is a straightforward process:

• Open the Xbox App on PC.
• Navigate to the “My Library” section.
• Click the slight “+” icon in the top right corner.
• Select from the suggested apps, or browse your files manually to locate and add the desired .exe file.

Customization Options

Once added, users have the ability to customize the appearance and launch settings of each game. This includes changing the app’s name, adding command-line arguments, and modifying the artwork for a personalized experience. This level of customization is particularly beneficial for users of emulators or older PC games.

Implications for Project Helix

This update aligns with Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix console, which aims to blend PC and Xbox gaming. The ability to integrate third-party games suggests a more open ecosystem for Project Helix, potentially allowing users to seamlessly access their existing PC game libraries on the new console. Tweaktown reports this feature feels tailor-made for Project Helix.

Benefits for Handheld Gaming

The update is particularly advantageous for handheld gaming devices like the ROG Xbox Ally. Staying within the Xbox app’s full-screen experience mode provides optimal performance, avoiding the potential clunkiness of switching to standard Windows 11 mode. Windows Report highlights this as a major upgrade for handheld gamers.

Can the Xbox App Challenge Steam?

Microsoft’s ambition is to establish the Xbox app as a core component of the PC gaming experience, directly competing with Steam. While the Xbox brand carries significant momentum, challenging Steam’s established dominance will be a considerable undertaking. Others have attempted to rival Steam, but none have yet succeeded. Whether Microsoft can succeed where others have failed remains to be seen.

The Xbox app update, available in the preview version of the app, is currently being tested. Microsoft has not yet announced a firm release date for the feature to all users. Neowin first spotted the preview build.