Microsoft games could soon be available on Steam, boosting PC gaming

Steam's catalog could soon expand with games from Microsoft studios that were previously unavailable to Valve's platform users. This insight comes from journalist and insider Jez Corden, who commented on developer survey results from the GDC conference.

The survey revealed that PC remains the priority platform for most developers, with PlayStation 5 attracting interest from about 40% of respondents. Xbox Series consoles, however, found themselves in a less favorable position—only around 20% of those surveyed expressed readiness to develop for them.

Against this backdrop, Corden recalled rumors suggesting the next generation of Xbox might adopt a concept closer to a full-fledged PC with backward compatibility support. In such a scenario, Microsoft would inevitably need to reconsider its publishing strategy and more actively venture onto third-party platforms, primarily Steam with its multi-million user base.

Corden suggested that several major Microsoft projects, previously distributed only through alternative stores, could appear on Steam in the coming months. While specific titles weren't disclosed, Minecraft and Blizzard Entertainment games—available exclusively via Battle.net—are among the most likely candidates. This could include franchises like World of Warcraft or StarCraft.

For readers, this matters because it highlights a potential shift in Microsoft's approach. Corden also noted that developer sentiment toward the Xbox brand remains lukewarm. The Microsoft Store faces additional criticism for weak game promotion and a flawed recommendation system that often suggests products users already own.