Microsoft Introduces ‘Xbox PC’ Branding in Game Development Materials — Major Updates to Xbox App

Okay, so here’s this wild thing I stumbled upon—random tidbit, but it’s all about Microsoft trying to smoosh Windows and Xbox into this one big happy gaming family. Like, oh hey, you found MIO: Memories In Orbit on YouTube? Guess what, it’s kicking around on both Steam and “Xbox PC.” I swear, Microsoft’s press bursts for stuff like Gears of War: Reloaded are being tossed out there all left and right. They’re letting loose it’ll be on Xbox Series X|S, that “Xbox PC” thing, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and even Steam. I mean, are they hurling darts at every platform? Maybe aiming for Steam’s crown? Who knows.

Now… pause for effect. The Xbox App got itself a shiny revamp. You can peek at your Xbox console games in the Xbox app library right on your PC. I think The Verge had something to say about this whole mash-up angle Microsoft’s getting cuddly with between Xbox and Windows stores. Makes you ponder what’s really brewing.

So, consider how the Nintendo Switch flipped handheld gaming on its head (you saw the Switch 2 hit the shelves the other day, right?). But then, enter Steam Deck in 2022, shaking things up by letting us drag our PC games around on a mini device. It had SteamOS running and suddenly everyone—Asus, Lenovo, MSI, even Zotac—wanted a piece of that pie. They were all riding the Windows 11 train until Lenovo flipped the script with Legion Go S, running on SteamOS. Bit of a head spinner if you ask me.

Here’s the kicker—while Legion Go S likes to think it’s buddying up with Steam Deck, it’s also chilling with Microsoft’s OS, so reviewers had this neat test. They found SteamOS was sometimes outpacing Windows by up to 75% on similar setups. I can just picture someone at Microsoft throwing their hands up in a meeting. Rumor has it, they shifted gears on a nifty Xbox handheld to spruce up Windows 11 for portables instead.

And then there’s Asus cooking something up, um, Project Kennan? Sounds like Xbox and Game Pass are getting real cozy in their plans. Teasers dropped ahead of Switch 2’s big reveal, but details are scarce like finding a snow cone in a desert. Late 2025 might be the magic date, which is why those Xbox PC tags are popping up. Just a theory, but hey, call me a detective on that one.

Sony’s PS5 way outnumbered the Xbox Series X|S, going 75 million strong versus Xbox’s 33 million units. Still king of the PC hill, Windows faces SteamOS nipping at its heels. Desktop and laptop folks still hang with Windows, although throwing SteamOS on there isn’t the mainstream move—yet. But for handhelds, it’s a legit toss-up between Windows and SteamOS. No wonder Xbox execs might be losing some sleep over this.

Anyway, catch y’all later—don’t forget to follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News for the latest. It’s good stuff.