Microsoft Xbox games: PC and Xbox Helix emulators in development
Xbox is in trouble – in its latest quarterly report, Microsoft reported a 13% decline in hardware sales and a 10% drop in revenue from Xbox content and services compared to the same period last year. Recent price increases are exacerbating the situation. However, the tech giant may have a plan to leverage the long-established Xbox name: backward compatibility.
In a leaked memo obtained by The Verge, Microsoft tells game publishers that it is working on official emulators that will support every console generation: the original from 2001, the Xbox 360, the Xbox One, and the latest Xbox models.
These emulators are intended to run on both Xbox PCs and the next-generation console, codenamed “Project Helix.” Publishers retain the game rights, pricing, and trademark rights, while Microsoft handles the technical challenges, as well as the extensive certification and testing of each title.
The memo suggests, however, that game publishers must actively vote to add their older titles to the Helix catalog for them to run on emulators. This could leave some titles out. It’s also unclear what happens if you own an older game on disc.
Microsoft Xbox Helix without an optical drive?
Firstly, the Xbox Helix might not have an optical drive – Sony is abandoning physical media from 2028 onwards, while Microsoft is still weighing the pros and cons of such a move. Ultimately, the publishers will decide whether a physical copy also includes a playable version for emulators. They could see this as an opportunity to sell an older game a second time.
Support for original Xbox games was originally slated to launch in Early Access last month, with a full release planned for October. Afterward, Microsoft will focus on Xbox 360 titles, expected to be released in 2027 or 2028. Helix will also support original next-gen titles, but given the storage shortage, it could be a while before the next generation of consoles arrives (2027 being the most optimistic timeframe).
This information also comes from a leaked memo and has not yet been officially confirmed. However, Microsoft had already announced that select titles from past console generations would run on PCs and handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally.
