Xbox 360 games reportedly coming to PC as well
Microsoft is reportedly preparing to bring Xbox 360 games to PC as part of a broader backward compatibility push, along with original Xbox titles. A document seen by The Verge suggests developers can opt in, set prices, and the rollout may include disc-to-digital conversion and Game Pass support.
Microsoft appears to be preparing a broader push to bring older Xbox titles to PC. According to a document obtained by The Verge, the company has informed developers about plans to support Xbox 360 games on PC, in addition to the original Xbox library. The initiative is tied to the upcoming Project Helix console, a device designed to run PC games, but the compatibility would extend to standard PCs and handheld gaming devices as well.
The document reportedly says developers can choose to make their Xbox 360 titles backward compatible. They would also be able to set their own pricing for PC versions and, if they wish, add the games to Xbox Game Pass. The report suggests Microsoft will likely include Xbox Play Anywhere functionality, meaning a single purchase could grant access across compatible devices in the Xbox ecosystem. The rollout is expected to happen gradually over the next few years.
The news follows Microsoft's recently announced effort to bring original Xbox games to PC. That program launched last month with four titles. The Verge says Microsoft plans to expand it in October with a full launch. Microsoft has also indicated that achievements will be added to original Xbox games, which could happen around the same time.
Separately, data miners have found evidence of Microsoft's official emulation tools in PC releases of Xbox games. As reported by Tom's Hardware, the files include an emulator known as Xe03 or Fission, which Microsoft uses to run Xbox 360 games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Inside Fission is another emulator, XeFu or Fusion, that enables original Xbox emulation on current consoles and now PC.
The document also describes a disc-to-digital program, which would let players link a digital copy to a physical disc they own. This could help preserve access to disc-based games on Project Helix, should that machine lack a disc drive. A public beta for Xbox Insiders was reportedly scheduled for July, followed by wider availability this month, but that timeline appears to have slipped. It remains unclear whether Project Helix will include a disc drive, or whether Microsoft, like Sony, intends to phase out physical game discs entirely.
