When PC gamers boot up, they’re faced with a key decision: which platform gets the click? For years, Steam has been the undisputed favorite — but the Xbox app is making a serious play for attention. With promises of seamless cross‑device gaming and Game Pass access, Xbox is courting the PC crowd. But is it working?
Validated PC Gamer Surveys + Social Media for Complete Gamer Feedback
Understanding Xbox app perspectives requires analyzing public and private PC gamer viewpoints. To get validated personal perspectives, we used MFour’s unique Visit Pattern Targeting methodology to deliver surveys to 500 real PC gamers, when we observed them using the Xbox or Steam apps. To get public chatter, we used Insight24’s social data analytics platform to analyze organic feedback from Reddit, Twitter and key gaming forums.
Let’s break down what we found.
Finding #1: Gamers Love Playing Without a Console — But Performance Is a Dealbreaker
The Xbox app’s biggest selling point? Freedom from the console.
71% of users praised the ability to play without needing an Xbox. But that was not the only thing they appreciated. Here’s what else stood out to users of the Xbox app:
Though the Xbox app offers unique advantages, it faces challenges that threaten customer retention. When asked about challenges, users pointed to:
Many respondents noted that the excitement of flexibility fades fast if reliability lags behind what they’re used to — which is why many ultimately return to top gaming platforms like Steam where performance, stability, and a polished experience consistently meet their expectations.
Finding #2: Xbox Users Like the App — But They Aren’t Loyal Yet
The Xbox app is attracting users, but keeping them is a challenge.
45% of primary Xbox users admit they are likely to switch to another gaming platform, compared to just 18% of Steam users who said the same.
What’s fueling the Xbox hesitation?
Here’s what’s driving the uncertainty:
Even among Xbox’s current core audience, 1 in 5 users said they are either undecided or unlikely to continue using Xbox as their main platform. Without improvements in pricing, performance, and community features, Xbox risks losing significant ground to Steam’s more entrenched, loyal user base.
Finding #3: Gamers Say Steam Feels Like the Better Deal
Price matters to gamers. Although 61% of users liked Xbox’s Game Pass subscription model, many expressed frustration over the lack of one-time purchases or discounts. Meanwhile, Steam is seen as the better deal by 3 out of 4 gamers, thanks to sales and flexibility.
Finding #4: When Frustration Hits, the Internet Hears It – The Power of Negative Sentiment
Gamers don’t keep frustrations to themselves — they broadcast them.
37% of users who stopped using the Xbox app cited performance or pricing frustrations as their main reason for leaving. Their complaints often centered around:
In the competitive world of PC gaming, perception travels fast. When 1 in 5 public mentions are negative, performance problems don’t just affect individual users — they shape the brand’s reputation.
The takeaway? User experience shapes product perception.
Real success depends on understanding and capturing user experience in real time: the highs, the frustrations, and the critical moments when perception is formed.
This report highlights the power of capturing feedback during those key decision points, when opinions are still being shaped. By surveying consumers based on their real behaviors, brands can tap into validated, actionable insights — the kind of data they can trust to drive smarter, faster business decisions.
Curious how this approach could work for you? We’d love to show you.
