We at NerdLeaks are watching a potentially seismic shift in how Xbox approaches PC gaming. According to Game Rant, an insider has suggested Microsoft could be positioning itself to walk away from Steam — and while the claim comes with important caveats, it’s a development worth flagging and interrogating.
What Was Reported
Per Game Rant, insider Jez Corden told listeners on the Xbox Two podcast that Microsoft is “considering options” for its PC strategy that would give the company an opportunity to leave Steam. Corden emphasised that these plans are not set in stone and that Microsoft “could go either way” — the insider could not confirm whether an exit would mean stopping new releases on Steam, removing older titles from the store, or some other approach.
The report highlights that many of Microsoft’s recent and notable releases have nevertheless appeared on Steam, often alongside Xbox launches. Halo: Campaign Evolved and Forza Horizon 6 are cited as recent examples brought to Steam either at launch or shortly after. The 2019 release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection specifically brought older, previously Xbox-exclusive entries such as Halo 3 and Halo: Reach to PC for the first time.
Game Rant also notes Microsoft has not made any public statement signalling an intent to leave Steam.
The Source & Credibility
The suggestion originates from Jez Corden’s comments on the Xbox Two podcast, relayed by Game Rant in a piece published on Aug 2, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT by Michael Brandon Ingram. Corden is presented as an insider on Xbox-related matters, but he himself framed the situation as uncertain — saying Microsoft “could go either way.”
We should take this with a pinch of salt. The language used by Corden, as reported, is cautious and non-definitive: Microsoft is “considering options” and has not publicly announced any plans to withdraw from Steam. That uncertainty is an important part of the story and means this is a rumour to monitor rather than a confirmed corporate strategy.
Context cited in the report includes broader leadership changes at Xbox. Asha Sharma was named Xbox’s new CEO in early 2026 after two years as president of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, following the departure of longtime Xbox head Phil Spencer. Sharma has reportedly addressed fan feedback about Xbox’s multiplatform shift, suggesting a potential return to more console exclusives and a renewed focus on the Xbox community.
What It Could Mean
If the rumour is true, the implications — at least as laid out by the reporting — are twofold and remain speculative:
- New Releases Could Shift Away From Steam: One possible outcome Corden raised is Microsoft choosing not to bring upcoming games to Steam. Recent examples of platform-specific positioning include Gears of War: E-Day, which was confirmed as an Xbox exclusive at launch during the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase despite earlier ratings that suggested a PS5 version.
- Older Games Could Be Pulled Or Left Off Steam: The other scenario Corden could not rule out was Microsoft removing or withholding older titles from Steam — although no specifics were offered and the insider did not confirm any intention to do so.
The report also points to recent platform moves that could be interpreted as a recalibration of multiplatform strategy: Forza Horizon 6 was revealed not to be coming to PS5 at launch and is instead planned to arrive on Sony hardware later in 2026, while Halo: Campaign Evolved did release on PS5 alongside Xbox and drew fan discussion about performance on certain PlayStation hardware.
Finally, Microsoft reportedly still has a slate of first-party releases through the rest of 2026 and into 2027 — with Gears of War: E-Day scheduled for early October and the Fable reboot listed for February 23 — meaning any strategic shift could play out while several major launches are still pending.
Why This Matters
This rumour matters because Steam is commonly described as PC’s biggest storefront, and an alleged move by one of gaming’s largest brands to withdraw would be notable — if true. Microsoft’s past decisions to bring flagship titles and legacy collections to Steam are part of the reason PC players have had wide access to Xbox-originating franchises.
All that said, Game Rant’s reporting makes clear there is no public confirmation from Microsoft and that the insider’s comments were speculative by their own admission. We’ll be watching for any official statements from Xbox or further credible leaks, but for now take this with a pinch of salt: the company “could go either way” on the move, and the specifics remain unconfirmed.
