A Surprising Sneak Peek Ahead of Summer Game Fest

In an intriguing turn of events, a variety of Xbox games are suddenly showing up on the Xbox app for PC just days before the highly-anticipated Xbox Games Showcase during Summer Game Fest 2025. While these games aren't playable yet, this could signal Microsoft's bold move to merge its PC and Xbox ecosystems into a singular, streamlined library for gamers.

Is Microsoft Merging Xbox and PC Libraries?

This new development aligns with some intriguing comments from Microsoft earlier this year following the announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded. In an unusual marketing twist, the announcement explicitly referred to the game as being available for 'Xbox PC,' marking the first time the Xbox branding has been applied to the PC platform. Furthermore, a trailer for MIO: Memories in Orbit also featured 'Xbox PC' as a release platform, raising eyebrows throughout the gaming community.

A Mix of the Old and New

Currently, the Xbox app displays an eclectic mix of titles ranging from the latest Xbox Series X|S hits to beloved Xbox 360 classics. Despite their appearance, none of these games are playable unless they’ve already been launched on both platforms. The question remains: Is Microsoft merely aiming to unify gamers' libraries, or are there bigger plans on the horizon involving streaming or emulation?

A Race Against Valve's SteamOS

Microsoft is clearly investing heavily in enhancing its gaming app for PC, stepping up its game to compete with Valve's SteamOS. This comes at a time when companies like Lenovo are opting for Valve's Linux-based systems instead of Windows. With an upcoming collaboration with Asus aimed at producing an Xbox-branded handheld device, Microsoft is determined to streamline gaming experiences across both desktops and handhelds.

Excitement Brewing for Xbox Showcase!

The buzz surrounding the Xbox Games Showcase is palpable, with many eagerly anticipating announcements for titles such as State of Decay 3, Perfect Dark, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, Everwild, and the highly-anticipated Hollow Knight Silksong. Don’t miss the chance to catch the entire event, including the post-show coverage for The Outer Worlds 2, this Sunday, June 8 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET!