Xbox PC and Game Pass titles are coming to Linux through 'Xodus' — Heroic Launcher devs embark on new open-source reverse-engineering project

Xbox PC games distributed via the Xbox app encounter issues when attempting to run on Linux due to Microsoft's proprietary GDK runtime environment. This also prevents Game Pass titles from functioning, despite Microsoft's support for cloud streaming these titles. To address this, a team of developers behind the Heroic Launcher has initiated an open-source project named Xodus, which aims to reverse engineer and emulate the essential components needed for Xbox PC games on Linux.

The project primarily focuses on modern, GDK-based Xbox PC titles and their MSIXVC packages, rather than older, UWP-based releases such as Gears of War 4 and early Forza Horizon games. The challenge lies in Microsoft's proprietary GDK, Xbox identity services, and encrypted MSIXVC packages. These elements are responsible for verifying licenses for games owned through the Xbox app.

Without this framework in place, games will either crash or fail to launch. Xodus has already managed to log into Xbox services, download game packages, and obtain game licenses. Its components include an open-source implementation of xgameruntime.dll, custom forks of Wine and Proton, and xal-rs, an Xbox authentication library for Rust.

The project utilizes proxy libraries to interface with GDK games and intercept API calls, transmitting valid Xbox Live tokens. While efforts are currently concentrated on emulating the Xbox Gaming Runtime from the Xbox GDK through Wine, the team plans to transition to launching and playing Xbox PC titles locally. Microsoft has recently brought four original Xbox titles to PC, with more expected to follow.

Additionally, leaked documents suggest that Xbox 360 titles may also be released on PC next year. These games include a built-in Xbox 360 emulator, though it remains unclear if they utilize the same GDK stack as native Xbox PC titles.