Microsoft disabled game emulation on the Xbox One X and Xbox S series consoles. This means that games originally designed for older consoles will not

Key Highlights :

1. Microsoft has restricted users from running game emulations on the Xbox Series X and Series S.

2. Before the crackdown, anyone could access and install emulator software via direct links on the console’s Edge browser.

3. Now, users attempting to download emulators on an Xbox console are encountering error messages that read, “Unable to launch this game or app. The game or app you’re trying to launch violates Microsoft Store policy and is not supported".

4. In response to the crackdown, a legal emulator called gamr13 tweeted: “For the past 2 years we’ve promoted legal emulation on a popular platform that people have genuinely enjoyed. It’s a true shame to see Xbox crack down on emulation for those who can’t afford Developer Mode, or don’t have the means to purchase it. This is a shot in the face".

     According to Kotaku, Microsoft's policies legally prohibit emulations, but the corporation has historically looked the other way, the report mentioned. This legal grey area has led to a number of unofficial emulators being created for the Xbox 360 and Windows 10, with some even going so far as to emulate the Xbox One's hardware.

     While Microsoft has not taken a public stance on the legality of emulators, the company has been known to enforce its own policies internally. In a statement to Kotaku, a Microsoft spokesperson said "We have not granted any license for the Xbox One to run unauthorized software, including unauthorized emulators."

     This stance is in line with Microsoft's history of not enforcing emulator policies. In 2009, the company allowed a group of developers to create an unofficial emulator for the Xbox 360. At the time, Microsoft said that it "does not support or condone the development of unauthorized emulators."

     However, this policy has changed in recent years. In 2016, the company revoked the developer's Xbox One emulator license after the emulator was found to be using stolen code from a third-party game developer.

     While Microsoft has not explicitly stated that emulators are illegal, the company's stance suggests that they are not allowed. This legal grey area has led to a number of unofficial emulators being created for the Xbox 360 and Windows 10, with some even going so far as to emulate the Xbox One's hardware.

Continue Reading at Source : news18