Microsoft plans portable Xbox disc licenses and Xbox 360 emulation for PC
Leaked Microsoft documents describe two separate programs for bringing older Xbox games to future hardware. The source is the same memo we have already covered about Disc to Digital game conversion as well as bringing Xbox 360 games to the newer platforms.
The Verge now claims that one would convert Xbox One and Xbox Series discs into digital licenses. The second would bring selected original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to PCs through Microsoft’s emulator.
Under the proposed disc-to-digital program, players would insert an Xbox One or Xbox Series disc into a console with an optical drive. Microsoft would then grant a digital license tied to both the disc and the player’s account. The game would follow the account to “any Xbox device,” including devices without a disc drive.
The document does not define which systems qualify as Xbox devices. The wording appears to cover future Xbox hardware such as Project Helix.
Original Xbox and Xbox 360 games are coming to PCs
PC and handheld support is confirmed more clearly for the second program. Microsoft says its emulator will run original Xbox and Xbox 360 games locally on Helix, Xbox PCs and handhelds. The games would appear as standard Xbox PC releases with shared accounts and cloud saves.
Microsoft would handle the emulator, certification, compatibility testing, storefront integration and support. Publishers would only need to approve individual games and set pricing or Game Pass terms. Original Xbox games are listed first, while the Xbox 360 rollout is planned for 2027 and 2028.
© Microsoft Wolfenstein 3D may provide an early example of this plan. A leaked Xbox Game Pass listing reportedly shows the Xbox 360 version arriving on August 11, although Microsoft did not include it in its official August lineup. A native PC version is already available, but the Xbox 360 release includes Xbox achievements and could indicate that Microsoft is preparing more emulated console releases for Windows.
Source: The Verge
