Xbox PC Archives

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now finally comes to Firefox, “months in the making” with support for “over 2,000 games”

Nvidia GeForce Now has launched on Firefox for Windows, allowing users to stream over 2,000 PC games directly from the browser without needing to download a standalone application. The service offers enhanced performance for Ultimate subscribers, reaching RTX 5080-level graphics. Users can multitask with other applications and link their libraries from major PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store. To access the service, users must update to the latest version of Firefox and log in at play.geforcenow.com. Nvidia will share more details about this partnership during Gamescom on August 25.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Game Pass titles will receive unofficial support on Linux

Enthusiasts are working on the Xodus project, an unofficial open-source initiative aimed at enabling Xbox PC games, including those from Game Pass, to run on Linux and Mac systems. The project is a reverse-engineering effort that allows users to log in, download packages, and obtain game licenses for Xbox titles. The team has experience from previous projects like the Heroic Games Launcher and aims to support a wide range of Xbox games formatted in GDK and MSIXVC. While Xodus can download and run these games, additional patches may be required for optimal performance.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Modders are working on porting Xbox and PC Game Pass to Linux

Xodus is an open-source project aimed at enabling Linux and macOS users to access Xbox PC and PC Game Pass subscriptions without Windows. Developed by the team behind the Heroic Game Launcher, Xodus builds on existing functionalities to allow gameplay from various platforms. The project has successfully created an Xbox authorization system for users to log in, verify licenses, and identify available Game Pass titles. However, challenges remain in launching games, requiring reverse engineering of Microsoft technologies like the Game Development Kit (GDK) and MSIXVC format. Compatibility issues are anticipated, particularly with older Universal Windows Platform (UWP) games, such as Forza Horizon 3. Additionally, launching games will necessitate the use of Linux technologies like Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton, complicating full compatibility with the Game Pass catalog.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus Cracks Xbox Authentication and Game Package Decryption to Bring PC Game Pass to Linux

Developers of the Heroic Games Launcher have announced Xodus, an open-source project aimed at enabling access to PC Game Pass on Linux and macOS. Launched on August 10, 2026, Xodus has successfully addressed Xbox identity authentication and the decryption of MSIXVC packages, allowing local play of Game Pass titles for Linux and macOS users. Currently, the only way to access Game Pass on non-Windows devices is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and introduces latency. Xodus employs a layered architecture, including an Xbox Authentication Library (xal-rs) for managing Microsoft account sign-ins and license verification, and a reimplementation of the xgameruntime.dll for license checks and Xbox service access. The project can retrieve MSIXVC game packages using a valid Game Pass subscription and decrypt executables for local storage. However, it does not yet support UWP-based titles and lacks a user-friendly interface for general users. The project is under pressure due to Microsoft's upcoming transition to the MSIXVC2 package format, which Xodus does not currently support. Xodus is in early development with only a command-line interface available, and the team is working on emulating the GDK Gaming Services layer necessary for game initialization. The project is legal as it reimplements Xbox runtime behavior without enabling piracy, but it faces risks if Microsoft alters its authentication infrastructure.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

XBOX PC and Game Pass coming to Linux with the ‘Xodus’ project

The Xodus project is an open-source initiative aimed at enabling Xbox PC games, including Game Pass, to run on Linux and Mac systems. It is a reverse-engineering effort that is not officially endorsed by Microsoft, which could affect its compatibility. The development team includes experienced developers from the Heroic Games Launcher, and the project has made progress in logging in, downloading packages, and obtaining licenses for games. The team hopes to support most games in the GDK and MSIXVC format and has indicated the capability to download and run Xbox backward compatible titles, although further patches may be needed for optimal performance.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus: Project to Run Xbox PC Games on Linux and Mac Hits Important Milestone

Gaming on Linux is experiencing a resurgence, with projects like Xodus aiming to enable Xbox PC games, including Game Pass titles, on Linux and Mac. Xodus is developed by a team of three, including a contributor from the Heroic Games Launcher. They have made progress in authorization and game downloads and are working on replicating Game Development Kit (GDK) functionality for Xbox services. The project currently uses technologies like Proton, dxvk, or Wine for game performance, focusing on GDK and MSIXVC format games, while older UWP titles are not supported. The Xodus project has a GitHub page and a Discord server for community engagement.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

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 face challenges on Linux due to Microsoft's proprietary Game Development Kit (GDK), affecting performance and Game Pass functionality. An open-source initiative called "Xodus," developed by the creators of Heroic Launcher, aims to reverse engineer components for Xbox PC games to run on Linux, focusing on modern titles using GDK and MSIXVC packages, but not older UWP games. Microsoft has recently brought four original Xbox titles to PC and may release Xbox 360 titles next year with an emulator, though it is unclear if they will use the GDK framework.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Project Xodus Brings Native Xbox PC and Game Pass Games to Linux

Project Xodus is an open-source initiative focused on reverse-engineering Xbox PC and Game Pass titles to enable their use on Linux and Mac systems. The project has made significant progress in Microsoft authentication and package decryption, allowing Linux users to download and process Xbox subscription games locally. The team has successfully reverse-engineered Microsoft’s identity services and license verification systems, unlocking encrypted MSIXVC game files and enabling the verification of game licenses and decryption of installation packages on non-Windows operating systems. Xodus serves as a translation bridge for Microsoft’s proprietary ecosystem services, providing custom proxy libraries for games to function as if they are running in a native Windows environment. It specifically targets modern games built on Microsoft’s GDK framework, excluding older titles using the Universal Windows Platform and those dependent on kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to Xbox Game Pass on devices like the Steam Deck by facilitating direct local hardware execution, reducing reliance on cloud streaming and enhancing portable gaming experiences. Community feedback has been positive, with developers actively sharing updates and engaging with inquiries.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Microsoft’s Xbox Emulator on Windows Will Soon Support Xbox 360 Games

Microsoft is testing a new Xbox emulator for Windows 11, allowing select Xbox Insiders to access classic original Xbox games like Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live & Reloaded, and Crimson Skies. A broader official launch is expected before the end of the year, with plans to include Xbox 360 games next year. An internal document indicates a full launch of backwards compatibility on PC is scheduled for October 2026, coinciding with the Xbox brand's 25th anniversary, followed by a rollout of the Xbox 360 catalog for next-generation Xbox devices in 2027-2028. The emulator will handle the technical challenges of emulating original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, allowing developers to choose whether to make their titles accessible on Windows 11. Backwards compatible games may be available for purchase through the Microsoft Store or included in Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, a disc-to-digital program is anticipated to launch in August, enabling Xbox console owners to convert physical game discs into digital copies.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Microsoft Reportedly Working to Bring Xbox 360 Games to PC and Project Helix

Microsoft is planning to enable developers to transition Xbox 360 games to PC and other Xbox devices, utilizing an Xbox PC emulator to simplify the process. This feature is expected to launch between 2027 and 2028, allowing developers to make their games backward compatible while maintaining control over pricing and Game Pass availability. Additionally, Microsoft is exploring a method for players to digitally transfer ownership of physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, linking digital licenses to both the disc and the player's account. This initiative could allow trading of eligible Xbox discs, reminiscent of pre-digital gaming practices.