New ‘Xbox PC’ Branding Emerges in Game Development Materials — Major Updates to Xbox App

Sure thing. Here’s a reimagined version:

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So, I’ve been poking around the interwebs, and — wait for it — I stumbled upon some juicy bits about Microsoft getting all buddy-buddy with their Windows and Xbox worlds. You know, like those folks who start dressing like their dogs? Anyway, there’s this trailer for “MIO: Memories In Orbit” floating about on YouTube. It says you can play the game on both Steam and “Xbox PC.” Not gonna lie, the “Xbox PC” bit kinda threw me for a loop. I mean, what even is that? But hey, there it is.

Oh, and here’s where it gets more tangled. There’s news about “Gears of War: Reloaded.” It’s launching not just on the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but also Xbox Cloud Gaming and good ol’ Steam. Feels like someone at Microsoft is whispering: “Hey gamers, why not try the Xbox app on your PC instead of just making a beeline for Steam?” I wonder if they’re feeling a bit threatened or just bored. Probably both.

Side note, The Verge chimed in about Xbox app stuff, like seeing your Xbox console games on your PC library. They think Microsoft is plotting to marry the Xbox and Windows stores. Romantic, huh? Or maybe just a ploy… who’s to say?

And about handheld gaming? While the Nintendo Switch paved the way—love that little thing—Steam Deck hit like a game-changer in 2022. You could roam around playing PC games on it. Pretty rad. Then, naturally, everyone wanted a piece of the action. Asus, Lenovo, MSI, everybody’s mom… launched their versions using Windows 11. Until Lenovo had a brainwave and said, “Let’s skip Windows for SteamOS!” Hence, the Legion Go S was born.

People expected it to square off with the Steam Deck, which kinda makes sense. But since you can also get it with Windows, reviewers had a field day comparing. Some said the SteamOS version was way faster. Up to 75% faster—which, to my brain, means it leaves the Windows version in the dust. Can’t blame Microsoft for getting a bit twitchy. Rumors say they’ve paused plans for an Xbox handheld to polish up Windows 11 for handhelds. Feel like they’ve got their work cut out for them.

And speaking of work, there’s talk about Asus brewing up a mysterious “Project Kennan” gaming console with Xbox branding. Talk about keeping the mystery alive! Just a teaser appeared before the world got the Nintendo Switch 2, slim on details though. 2025’s when they think it might show up? Yeah, that’s ages in gamer years, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, Xbox Series X|S is playing catch-up with the PlayStation 5 in sales — like, big time. Sony’s PS5 is selling like those hotcakes everyone raves about. Over 75 million PS5s, compared to Xbox’s 33 million-ish. Windows still rules the roost in PC gaming, mind you, but SteamOS is giving it a run for its money. PC folk are mainly sticking with Windows, though the option to swap for SteamOS adds some spice — especially for handheld gamers. Feels like a restless time for folks over at Microsoft.

Anyway, that’s the scoop. If you’re into all this tech shenanigans, Tom’s Hardware is the place to be, apparently. Just hit follow and away you go!