Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 skipping Xbox PC is a bad sign for Microsoft’s store plans

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is coming to PC, but not through the Xbox PC store.

Daybreak Game Company confirmed that the sequel will only support Steam and the Epic Games Store on PC. That also means no Xbox Play Anywhere support, even though the first Aliens: Fireteam Elite eventually joined Xbox PC with cross play and cross buy.

That is a disappointing shift for anyone using Xbox on PC, especially with handheld gaming PCs becoming more important to Microsoft’s future. If you were hoping to play Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 through the Xbox app on a Windows handheld or use one purchase across Xbox console and PC, that option is not currently planned.

The problem is bigger than one game. Steam remains the default PC store for most players and developers. Epic Games Store also continues to get many PC releases. The Xbox PC store, despite being pre installed on Windows 11, still seems to struggle with regular third party support unless a Game Pass deal is involved.

That creates a difficult cycle for Microsoft. Players do not buy many games through Xbox PC because the library and store experience are weaker than Steam. Developers do not prioritize Xbox PC because players are not buying many games there.

Microsoft does have some advantages. The Xbox PC app is built into Windows, the company offers developers a larger revenue share than Steam, and Xbox Play Anywhere can make games more attractive for people who play on both console and PC.

But those advantages do not matter enough if the store is still missing major releases, older PC staples, and basic polish. Search issues, delayed listings, missing play buttons, and uneven update support all make the Xbox PC experience feel less reliable than it should.

There is also a Game Pass problem. Microsoft has trained many PC players to open the Xbox app mainly for subscriptions, not purchases. Developers may now see Xbox PC the same way, as a place to appear when Microsoft pays for Game Pass support rather than a store worth supporting on day one.

That is not sustainable if Xbox wants PC and handheld gaming to be central to its future.

The timing also matters. Memory prices and hardware costs are rising, which means many people may keep their current PCs and consoles longer. Microsoft should be in a strong position here because Windows is already the biggest PC gaming platform. But the Xbox PC store still does not feel like a natural home for PC game buying.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 skipping Xbox PC does not mean the store is doomed. Microsoft is reportedly working on major improvements, and new Xbox leadership has already admitted that PC needs work. Still, this is exactly the kind of third party release Xbox PC should not be missing.

If Microsoft wants Xbox to matter across console, PC, handhelds, and living room devices, the Xbox PC store has to become more than a Game Pass launcher. It needs day one games, better search, stronger developer tools, smoother updates, and a reason for players to buy there instead of defaulting to Steam.