Microsoft might be working on an official Xbox emulator for PC

Earlier this year, a rumour began doing the rounds claiming that Microsoft was working on an official Xbox emulator for Windows devices. At the time, doubt was cast on the rumour but now months later, it has resurfaced.

Windows Central's Jez Corden has now claimed to have heard that Microsoft is working on an emulator to allow certain console-exclusive titles to be played on systems like the ROG Xbox Ally, which also utilises a new ‘gaming' version of Windows 11.

This rumour first appeared earlier in the year, when eXtas1s, a leaker with a reliable track-record when it comes to Xbox, claimed that Microsoft had hired contributors to the Xenia emulator project to aid in the creation of an official emulation tool for Windows.

If such a project is indeed in the works, it would bolster the Game Pass offering on PC, enabling crucial back-catalogue exclusives to be played. As for third-party published titles, Corden notes that Microsoft would have to work out rights and licensing agreements on a game-by-game basis, just as it did with the Backward Compatibility program on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

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KitGuru Says: If Microsoft were to release an official emulator on PC, it would likely be heavily locked down to avoid issues with piracy, along with licensing issues that could crop up if players are able to boot games not officially sanctioned.

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