Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has expressed his desire to expand the reach of the gaming platform by allowing the presence of third-party stores, such as the Epic Games Store or Steam on Xbox consoles. In an interview during the Annual Game Developers Conference for Polygon, Spencer highlighted the importance of breaking down the barriers that have historically limited players to purchasing games exclusively through each console's own stores. His vision aims to offer users the freedom to choose where to purchase their games, following the model that has prevailed in the PC space.
This move by Spencer responds to the perception that the console market is stagnant while the PC market continues to grow, in part due to the flexibility it offers gamers in terms of where and how to buy games. He recognizes that traditional hardware subsidy and exclusivity strategies may be losing relevance in a changing and diversified market environment. Additionally, he notes that the cost of console components is not decreasing as rapidly as in previous generations, which poses additional challenges for manufacturers.
Steam is one of the most successful game stores in the gaming world, so its arrival on consoles would be ideal for Spencer
For Spencer, the key lies in eliminating the exclusivity of more Xbox games and opening the platform to third-party stores. He argues that this openness would not only benefit gamers by offering them more options, but could also drive growth in the console market by adapting to changing consumer preferences and encouraging greater competition among game stores.
The example Spencer mentions is the game Sea of Thieves, where he argues that players should not be limited by the hardware platforms they or their friends own, but should be able to play together regardless of platform. This perspective reflects his vision of a more inclusive and seamless gaming experience, where players can participate in a broader, more connected gaming ecosystem.
Sea of Thieves and its arrival on PlayStation is a perfect example for the idea of accessible stores on consoles
Ultimately, Spencer hopes to see Xbox evolve toward a more PC-like model, where users have the freedom to choose where and how they access their games. This transformation will require breaking down the barriers that have kept the console ecosystem closed for decades, but could lead to a more dynamic and competitive future for the gaming industry.