A quick look at Xbox’s new “Game Hubs,” a small new feature that may be more meaningful than you think

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Yesterday, Microsoft unveiled a small yet potentially significant addition to their Xbox Insider Program’s Alpha Skip-Ahead circle. This could be more impactful than it seems at first glance.

As an analyst, I am currently observing that Xbox’s Game Hubs are undergoing A/B testing on the Xbox Insider Program. This provides a sneak peek into Microsoft’s ongoing endeavors to merge their features more seamlessly between Xbox and PC. Previously, these Game Hubs were primarily accessible through search; however, Microsoft is now making them more visible by featuring them directly on the dashboard.

When you initially choose a game, a fresh Game Hub appears, reminiscent of selecting a game from your Steam library. This hub brings up details about the selected game such as Xbox achievements, players currently engaged in the game, and more. However, what makes it truly captivating is its future potential.

The Xbox Game Hubs have some rich potential

It was hard for me not to point out right away how much these resembled Steam’s game listing pages in terms of functionality. With whispers circulating that Microsoft aims to unify its console and PC gaming features, it seems prudent to align Xbox with the standards being set by Steam.

Based on comments from Phil Spencer (Xbox lead) and Jason Ronald (VP), as well as concept art from Xbox, many Xbox users anticipate Microsoft will incorporate Steam into their next console platform. According to Windows Central, Xbox’s upcoming hardware strategy revolves around OEM devices, like Project Kennan from ASUS, which could be released later this year. In addition, Microsoft is developing its own successor for the Xbox Series X and a handheld device, expected in 2027. It is widely assumed that these devices will run on Windows, marking a return to Xbox’s original vision from 20 years ago of creating a gaming PC for the living room.

The Game Hub, one of its key aspects, aims to bring forth content and functionalities that are usually found in a computer-like setting, such as mods, community resources, and developer updates. Over the course of time, it will be intriguing to observe how these features develop and adapt.

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2025-03-25 18:39