Leaked Microsoft documents confirm Xbox 360 games are coming to PC

Leaked internal documents obtained by The Verge reveal that Microsoft is planning to expand its backward compatibility programme to bring Xbox 360 games to PC. The rollout is expected to happen gradually between 2027 and 2028, and will cover Xbox PCs, the upcoming Project Helix console, and handheld devices. Developers will be able to opt in without making any engineering changes to their games.

The details:

• The leaked document was sent to developers by Microsoft and outlines a publisher-controlled opt-in system. Developers who choose to participate will control pricing and whether their titles appear on Game Pass, with no technical changes required on their end.
• The PC backward compatibility feature will work via an Xbox emulator. Last month, users discovered that the four original Xbox games Microsoft had already brought to PC were running inside an OG Xbox emulator, which was itself running inside an Xbox 360 emulator. Modders quickly found they could use this to run other 360 games outside of Microsoft's official programme.
• The same leaked document includes details on Microsoft's disc-to-digital programme, which will let owners of Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs obtain a digital licence for those games across Xbox devices. This does not extend to Xbox 360 discs, likely because the older discs lack the disc-level licensing technology Microsoft had originally planned for the Xbox One.
• The backwards compatibility push is part of a broader content strategy from Microsoft following significant layoffs and studio closures. The company previously announced it was bringing four original Xbox exclusives to PC for the first time as part of its new Backward Compatibility for PC programme.