Microsoft Cracks Down on Emulators on Xbox Series Consoles
Microsoft restricts the usage of emulators on Xbox.
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Microsoft Cracks Down on Emulators on Xbox Series Consoles
Microsoft has made it more difficult for players to use emulators that have so far allowed them to enjoy classic games on Xbox Series consoles. The use of emulators seems to divide the gaming community. Some use it to play old games on the newer versions of gaming consoles. But there are some who believe that this is basically piracy, even though they own the games legally.
Emulators over the years have allowed users to play old games in new gen consoles. It is a common practice, as retro games like Disney Classic Games, Banjo-Tooie, Timesplitters 2 could easily be played using it.
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Use of Emulators can be a divisive practice and legal trouble
Image emulators
Emulation has been a controversial practice, with some considering it a way to pirate games. However, others consider it a way to play legally owned games that are no longer available on current hardware. Microsoft consoles have been a haven of sorts for emulation, allowing collectors and archivists to play older games. However, Microsoft has now disabled emulation on Xbox Series consoles, with players receiving a message that the software violates the Microsoft Store policy when attempting to open emulators like Dolphin and RetroArch.
Although, Microsoft hasn’t specified anything, yet many people took to the social media to make their voice heard. #LetUsEmulate is the new chant by the XBOX console users, as they want to continue the use of emulators. The XBOX Emulation Hub Discord quickly noticed a message popping up when trying to use an emulator, “this game or app can’t be launched as it violates the Microsoft Store Policy.”
An e-mail from an unknown Microsoft employee is doing the rounds that Retail mode on emulators are no longer available. The e-mail said that the emulators blocked by Microsoft due to legal issue surrounding the 10-year Call of Duty deal with Nintendo.
Microsoft’s official state policy mentions that “products that emulate a game system or game platform are not allowed on any device family.” But players overtime has managed to bypass this criterion. But now users will not be able to use any available or self-made emulators on the console. The only option is to use a developer mode. This costs around $20 to have access and requires a Microsoft Partner Center account. But it seems it is better to steer clear of it.
The recent fiasco about the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is still pending. So, it seems they do not want any more legal battle going forward with Nintendo. As the two have had very good relations over the years unlike with Sony.
Users are not happy with the decision to restrict emulators on Xbox
Image via Xbox Support/Twitter
Xbox users are not that pleased with the decision allowing Microsoft every right to ban emulators on its platform. Previously, Microsoft shut down number of dev accounts without any warning. Some linked this decision with the usage of emulators. But Microsoft quickly reversed the decision. Later they clarified they had no intention of shutting down the Developer mode. Xbox users’ #LetUsEmulate campaign has picked up pace over the last few hours, with Twitter being flooded with tweets for not being able to use emulators:
People are still waiting for an official statement from Microsoft about the situation as it looks set to escalate. Gamers who love to play retro games but want to play on a better platform might need to rethink their options. Whether emulators will be viable for the Xbox console in future remains to be seen.
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Ishan Misra
(3055 Articles Published)