For years, some companies have looked down on emulation, often portraying it as a breeding ground for unethical practices that hurt their bottom line. The main complaint is that it allows players to enjoy games—whether old or relatively new—without spending a single cent. However, these critics often ignore the crucial role emulation plays in preserving digital heritage, rescuing titles that might otherwise be lost to time.
Recently, some major companies have started to show interest in what they now call “video game preservation.” Still, let’s not be naïve—more often than not, it’s a calculated business move to reintroduce beloved classics and monetize them once again. Microsoft appears to be planning just that, according to information shared by YouTuber eXtas1s.
The Redmond-based company is reportedly working closely with the developers behind Xenia, one of the most popular Xbox 360 emulators, to bring back iconic games from its first two consoles: the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. The plan is to make these titles compatible with modern systems, including Xbox Series X|S and PC, and offer them through the Xbox Game Pass subscription—possibly even through its cloud gaming arm, Xbox Cloud Gaming.
One of the key benefits of emulation is the ability to enhance games visually, with higher resolutions, improved graphical effects, and smoother performance. Microsoft seems keen to tap into this potential, aiming to bring back its classics with a modern polish. Such upgrades could also help justify charging for these titles once more.
The full scope of the project remains unclear. It’s unknown whether Microsoft will focus solely on its own franchises—like Halo, Gears of War, or Fable—or if it also plans to include third-party titles that were particularly successful on its platforms. A prime example would be Batman: Arkham Asylum, which made a significant impact on the Xbox 360.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see whether this initiative marks the beginning of a new era—where game preservation and subscription-based monetization go hand in hand.
