A new initiative unveiled this month is offering gamers a novel way to experience Xbox One titles on their Windows machines, addressing a significant barrier in console emulation.
XWine1 is not an emulator; it functions as a translation layer, converting Xbox software so it can operate on Windows. This process mirrors the functionality of the Proton compatibility layer utilized on the Steam Deck, which allows Windows games to run on the Linux-based operating system of the device.
According to the XWine1 team’s announcement on September 8, a handful of games are completely playable, such as Minecraft: Xbox One Edition, Limbo, Peggle 2, Undertale, and Sonic Mania. Additional titles have shown partial functionality, as seen in Forza Horizon 2, which can bypass its introductory sequences, and Forza Horizon 3, which allows access to its menu.
Introducing XWine1, an Xbox One translation layer for Windows PCs.
Currently six games are fully playable, with others reaching logos and in-game. More news to come! pic.twitter.com/Du6puJz6Dj— XWine1 (@XWineOne) September 8, 2024
Historically, emulating Xbox One titles has been challenging due to robust security measures, as noted by YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer in a recent video discussing XWine1. Previously, there was no known method to exploit the console’s kernel, but this changed with a development known as Collateral Damage. This progress enables users to extract Xbox One game files and decrypt them for use on other platforms. In theory, XWine1 can function with any file that has been extracted and decrypted.
The project remains in its early stages and is not yet available for public download. Once it is ready, developers indicate it will likely be offered as an open-source solution.
There’s a wealth of Xbox One exclusives that could become playable, like Halo 5: Guardians. However, since the Xbox Series X and S are backward compatible with Xbox One titles, games like Guardians won’t be lost forever, even if the XWine1 team’s efforts prove successful. Nonetheless, this development is an important advancement for the emulation scene, supporting the preservation of games that may eventually lose support on contemporary consoles or PCs.