may be working on an Xbox emulator for PC, according to a recent rumor. Emulation is something of a contentious topic in the broader video game space, with some companies taking a strong stance against it and others encouraging the practice in the name of accessibility and preservation. Over the years, Microsoft has largely fallen somewhere in the middle, but now it may be investing in its own emulation platform.

In 2023, Microsoft restricted emulator use on Xbox consoles, saying that popular apps like Dolphin and RetroArch violated the Microsoft Store policy. At the same time, the company has tried to develop an image of commitment to game preservation. Its approach to that goal has mostly revolved around ensuring backward compatibility, but that may become increasingly difficult as console generations advance and updating old files to remain playable on new systems becomes more complicated. Some think it may turn to emulation as the answer.

Xbox news and leaks account eXtas1s went over several recent rumors during a May 18 livestream, including a supposed insider stating that Microsoft is building an Xbox emulator for Windows. While many Xbox games are already available on Windows, these are dedicated PC ports. This new system would allow users to play the Xbox versions of their games on PC, potentially streamlining the process of making them available on both platforms. Microsoft has previously said it wants to make Windows gaming feel more like Xbox on handhelds, so this rumored emulator could be a good way to do that.

Earlier this year, an insider said the next Xbox console will essentially be a TV-friendly PC, further blurring the lines between the platforms. If Microsoft is indeed going in that direction, an Xbox emulator for Windows would make even more sense, especially if the company wants to continue its legacy of backward compatibility. Emulating old Xbox games on PCs on new consoles would make it easier to keep classic titles playable. Still, it might introduce compatibility issues of its own. The eXtas1s stream mentions that saves and achievements wouldn't sync between Steam and Xbox versions of the game, and there may be some control issues with running a port built for Xbox on a PC.

Regardless of the technical specifics, a Microsoft-approved emulator would stand out all the more in light of previous industry actions against emulation. Xbox's emulator restrictions aside, Nintendo has sued emulation companies in the past, citing piracy concerns. A major gaming company coming out with its own publicly available emulator could offer a middle ground between preservation and protecting IP. Of course, the information is just a rumor for now, so nothing is certain.