TheXbox Series X|Smight end up being the final traditional Xbox console, as the next generation of Xbox devices seems set to put more of a focus on PC. Whether thenext-gen Xbox is a full-blown PCthat can run Windows remains in question, but a significant aspect of Xbox’s future lies in the move away from attachment to a single storefront or one device. Storefronts like Steam or the Epic Games Store could be available on the next-gen Xbox, which would be an enormous shift.
Even theXbox PC app will receive an updatein the near future, providing an aggregated gaming library from a variety of storefronts. Many Xbox users are excited about this feature, butas an Xbox achievement hunter, I’m concerned. The communities and what’s allowed on both Xbox and Steam are very different, making me wonder how this will affect the Xbox terms of service.
The Biggest Difference For Me Between Steam And Xbox
Total Freedom Vs. Restricted
Steam is an entirely different beast when it comes to the freedom allowed in its terms of service. Modding your video game is outright encouraged on the Steam platform, whether installing traditional mods or downloading a completed game save. I know many people who purchased theDevil May Cry HD Collectionon Steam and downloaded a completed save file,allowing them to play Dante Must Die difficulty right away. I downloaded a completed save forDuke Nukem Forevermyself, as I didn’t feel like going through the whole game again just to play certain levels.
Downloading a completed save as anXbox achievement hunter, however, is completely against the rulesand can result in a ban from TrueAchievements and a Gamerscore reset to 0. That’s exactly what happened back whenGears of War 2was first released, as some players put a 100% save file on a USB stick and inserted it into their system to instantly unlock 1000 Gamerscore. Xbox found out and reset their Gamerscore to 0, but Steam’s attitude towards this is the exact opposite.
What’s considered cheating on Xbox is entirely different for Steam.
There’s a reason why few people value Steam achievements compared to Xbox or PlayStation, andthat’s because there’s no moderation. Xbox achievements and PlayStation trophies have strict guidelines that make them valuable, but if Xbox allows you to play Steam on its next-gen system, what will become of the terms of service and achievement system?
What Will Happen When You Can Access Both Xbox And Steam On One Console?
Something That Every Achievement Hunter Needs To Consider
Judging by the Xbox AMD next-gen video, Steam integration seems like a major part of Xbox’s future, both in the living room and in your hands. This raises a major question of how separate the different storefronts will be. The Xbox platform will be the main one when booting up the next-gen device, but if you switch to Steam or Epic,the terms of service that you’re bound to might be different.This may sound trivial, but it matters a lot to Xbox achievement hunters.
Just like how a video creator might need to be safe to follow YouTube or Twitch’s guidelines,achievement hunters need tofollow strict rules to ensure that their Gamerscore isn’t taken awayfrom them. What’s considered cheating on Xbox is entirely different for Steam, and it would be devastating if Xbox players lost all their Gamerscore, such as completing thehardest achievements inBaldur’s Gate 3, just because they downloaded and used a completed save file for a Steam game.
All the changes coming to the next generation of Xbox should be revealed in due time regarding how these different storefronts are going to work. However, before then, I recommend that fellowXboxachievement hunters exercise an abundance of caution and refrain from going too wild by modifying Steam games.
