Key Takeaways
1. Minecraft is currently absent from Steam, even though it’s one of the most played games and a strong candidate for future releases.
2. Insider information suggests that several big Xbox first-party games, including Minecraft, may be coming to Steam in the next few months.
3. Previous hints about Minecraft on Steam include mentions in Game Pass perks and fake listings on Valve’s marketplace.
4. Minecraft’s absence is largely due to revenue sharing concerns, as Microsoft would lose 30% of earnings if the game were on Steam.
5. Despite hesitations about the Xbox PC app, Microsoft is increasingly focusing on PC gaming and may eventually release Minecraft on Steam.
Many well-known titles from Xbox Studios are available on Steam, including several entries from the Halo series. However, one notable game that’s missing is Minecraft, which is often listed as one of the most played games. Recently, an insider shared that “big-name Xbox first-party games” might soon be available on Valve’s platform, making Minecraft a strong candidate.
Upcoming Releases on Steam
In a recent article by Jez Corden from Windows Central, it was stated that these games could be coming to Steam in the “next few months.” While Mojang Studios’ open-world creation game isn’t the only title being speculated, it’s a popular guess among Reddit users and also from a writer at TheGamer. This wouldn’t be the first indication that a version of Minecraft for Steam might be on the way.
Previous Hints About Minecraft on Steam
In 2024, there was a mention of Steam in a description for a perk related to Minecraft Bedrock Edition on Game Pass. There was also an incident where someone made a fake listing for the game on Valve’s marketplace. Unfortunately for those on Steam, playing Minecraft still requires a different launcher.
Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014, integrating the developer into its lineup of studios. The company has allowed Minecraft to remain on PlayStation consoles instead of making it exclusive to Xbox. Still, it has not yet made its way to the leading PC gaming platform.
Revenue Concerns
The main reason for Minecraft’s absence from Steam seems to be related to revenue sharing. Microsoft would need to give up 30% of the earnings to the competing store. Given that the sandbox game is already well-known, there’s less pressure to broaden its player base. In contrast, the publisher is eager to launch new games like Forza Horizon 6 and the Fable reboot directly on Steam.
Despite the financial considerations, Xbox is increasingly prioritizing PC gaming. With console sales facing challenges, the focus on promoting the Series X|S has diminished. Moreover, a new gaming system in development with AMD is expected to be based on Windows.
Gamer Hesitations
As Corden points out in his article, many gamers are still unsure about adopting the Xbox PC app. Although Microsoft has introduced the option to launch Steam games, locating titles that aren’t part of Game Pass can be quite annoying. With Valve maintaining its stronghold in the market, it seems likely that Minecraft will eventually find its way to the platform.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply