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?
Using Visit Pattern Targeting to Capture In-App Gamer Feedback
To gain insights around how gamers perceived the new Xbox App product, MFour Research conducted a study to find out. Using a combination of Visit Pattern Targeting and Brand24’s social listening tools, we surveyed 500 active PC gamers and analyzed organic feedback from Reddit, Twitter, and key gaming forums. Our goal: to dig into how gamers actually feel about the Xbox App versus Steam—what they love, what drives them nuts, and what keeps them loyal.
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. This cross-device flexibility is what users love most, here’s what else they had to say:
In total, 2 out of 3 gamers specifically called out Xbox’s cross-device continuity a clear win over traditional gaming platforms.
However, performance problems threaten this advantage. 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. Here’s what’s driving the uncertainty:
What’s fueling the Xbox hesitation?
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.
