New ‘Xbox PC’ Branding Appears in Game Development Materials, Alongside Major Updates to Xbox App

Sure thing. Let’s dive into this jumble of thoughts. Ready? Here we go.

So, what’s the deal with Microsoft cozying up its Windows and Xbox platforms? People are spotting it here and there, like a squirrel finding its way into your attic. Take the MIO: Memories In Orbit trailer on YouTube. Suddenly, it’s not just for Steam – it’s hitting this thing called “Xbox PC” too. There’s also that Gears of War: Reloaded news saying it’s headed to, get this, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Sounds like Microsoft is really telling gamers, “Hey, maybe try the Xbox app on your PC instead of just shacking up with Steam.”

Oh, and the Xbox App? Total makeover. Now Xbox users can see their console games in their Xbox app library on PC. It seems intentional, like Microsoft wants us to play connect-the-dots between its Xbox and Windows stores.

Wait. Got sidetracked by a YouTube video thumbnail. Weird, right? Anyway, moving on: so, remember the Nintendo Switch? Not to get nostalgic or anything, but the Switch 2 just landed, yet Steam Deck shook things up in 2022. PC games in your hands, anywhere you felt like it. Like magic! Then Asus, Lenovo, MSI, and others jumped on that bandwagon, all Windows 11 until Lenovo said, “Nah, let’s try Valve’s SteamOS with the Legion Go S.”

Feels a bit like sibling rivalry, only on consoles. This SteamOS choice sways people to think it’s gunning for the Steam Deck’s throne. But reviewers did this whole compare-and-contrast and sometimes, crazy as it sounds, Linux-powered devices outperformed their Windows twins by 75%. Alerts must’ve been raised in Microsoft’s lair.

Now, whispers are saying Microsoft had an Xbox handheld plan on the backburner. Then news spilled out — Asus whipping up Project Kennan, a handheld gaming contraption with Xbox Game Pass. They teased it right before Switch 2’s debut, making everyone wonder what’s next. Maybe by 2025? Who really knows? But perhaps, just perhaps, this Xbox PC thing on game launches is part of their grand scheme.

It’s kind of wild how the Xbox Series X|S plays second fiddle to Sony’s PS5. More than 75 million PS5s have made it into gamers’ hands while Xbox’s pride and joy hit just 33 million or so. Windows still holds court in PC gaming, yet SteamOS is lurking, waiting to pounce. Most gamers are nestled safely in their Windows camp, but handheld options with Windows and SteamOS are stirring the pot at HQ — likely giving Microsoft bigwigs a few sleepless nights.

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Anyway, that’s it. Bits and pieces to chew over, I guess.