Microsoft wants the next-gen Xbox Helix to play every Xbox game ever made as it urges publishers to opt in — New report also claims Xbox 360 games coming to PC soon
The upcoming Xbox Helix is starting to feel more like a PC than any console before, and Microsoft's latest efforts to unite all Xbox generations under one roof, according to a new leaked memo, seem to signal that very explicitly.
A recent report from The Verge reveals Microsoft's ambitious plan to integrate extensive backwards compatibility in its upcoming PC-console hybrid, the Xbox Helix. The source obtained leaked screenshots of an internal memo addressed to publishers, urging them to participate in a new model allowing legacy titles from older Xbox consoles to be accessible on modern devices with minimal effort.
This feature is being developed alongside the Xbox Helix, set to release in 2027-28, potentially accompanied by a disc drive. Microsoft aims to follow Sony's trend by shifting away from physical discs and digitizing them into games, which will then be accessed through an Xbox account. This initiative is backed by the company's intention to collaborate with publishers for offering original Xbox and Xbox 360 games on Xbox Helix, PCs, and handhelds.
The leaked memo suggests that Microsoft will handle all engineering, bespoke emulator development, title certification and testing, storefront merchandising, and player support, leaving developers to simply permit their legacy titles to appear on the storefront and reap the profits. Microsoft promises developers to retain their rights, pricing, and brand control. This proposal aims to provide a modern ecosystem with cloud saves for old games, making it convenient for players.
The report highlights that such a level of backwards compatibility isn't easily achievable as the underlying x86 architecture of the Xbox One console allows it to run Xbox Series discs without issues. However, older titles might require explicit permission from publishers, as emulators already supporting them or delisted due to third-party licensing issues.
For instance, relicensing assets like cars and music in a racing game wouldn't be practical. Therefore, the conversion of discs into digital games seems more feasible and less legally binding, while still achieving the goal of organizing all Xbox generations under one roof.
The memo is labeled "Program 01" as the preferred option, with "Program 02" being less likely to succeed but remains open to future decisions. If successful, Xbox Helix could offer a vast library encompassing PC games, all generations of Xbox titles, emulated backwards compatibility, and disc digitization, making it the largest console library ever.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
