The idea of an Xbox console that functions more like a Windows PC is gaining traction — and with it, speculation over whether that could open the door to Steam-based PlayStation games running on Xbox hardware. But not everyone agrees it’s possible, or even likely.
Rumors are swirling that Microsoft is working on a new gaming system that would closely resemble a Windows PC, both in functionality and flexibility. Some reports suggest the company may even integrate Valve’s Steam marketplace, allowing players to access a wider range of PC titles directly from an Xbox-branded console.
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The Verge recently reported on a related project known as Project Kennan — a handheld gaming PC said to be manufactured by Asus, and possibly backed by Microsoft. It’s rumored to offer a hybrid of the Xbox UI and Windows OS, with a focus on cloud and local gaming.
Meanwhile, Jez Corden of Windows Central claims Microsoft is planning to launch an Xbox handheld or gaming PC by 2027, which could fundamentally change how Xbox hardware is perceived.
Here’s where it gets complicated. If the new Xbox system runs Windows and supports Steam, it raises a big question: Would Sony’s PC ports be playable on Xbox? Technically, yes — but Corden believes Sony will move to block this.
On X (formerly Twitter), Corden pointed to Sony’s previous move to remove God of War from Nvidia’s GeForce Now — the cloud gaming service that lets users stream games they already own — as evidence that Sony might act again to keep its PC games off competing platforms. He argued that Sony would try to prevent its PC titles from appearing on any Microsoft-branded device, including a Steam-compatible Xbox.
That comment sparked immediate pushback. Critics, including Jon Clarke of XboxEra, argued that GeForce Now isn’t an accurate comparison. Steam games on Windows PCs are fundamentally different — they run natively and are owned by the user. Blocking a game on a PC just because it’s housed in Xbox-branded hardware would be unprecedented and legally questionable.
Can Sony Actually Block Steam Games on Xbox?
That’s the heart of the debate. If Microsoft’s new console is just a Windows PC in a console shell, blocking Steam titles wouldn’t be straightforward. Unlike cloud services like GeForce Now — which operate under a subscription model — Steam sells games outright, and consumers install them locally.
Sony would either have to pull its games from Steam entirely, or somehow detect and prevent installation on specific Windows-based hardware. Neither option is simple or likely without pushback from both players and Valve.
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Ironically, browser-based services like Boosteroid currently let players run PlayStation PC ports on Xbox consoles. Until Sony takes action, this workaround shows how blurry platform boundaries have become — and how hard they are to enforce.
If Microsoft’s next Xbox is more PC than console, the rules of engagement could change entirely. Sony may not have a clear way to stop users from playing its Steam releases on an Xbox-branded machine — especially if that machine is running a standard version of Windows.