Microsoft plans to let developers bring Xbox 360 games to PC, according to an internal document shared with developers and obtained by The Verge.
The games will run on the upcoming Project Helix hardware, standard gaming PCs, and handheld devices. The gradual rollout for Xbox 360 games on PC is slated to take place between 2027 and 2028 across next-gen devices. Meanwhile, the full launch of original Xbox games on PC is set for October 2026, following an initial test with four titles earlier this summer.
Developers will be able to choose whether to opt into backward compatibility. They will also maintain control over game pricing and can decide whether their titles join the Xbox Game Pass catalog.
The leaked document also details a new disc to digital program aimed at players who own physical game media. Under the program, inserting an Xbox One or Xbox Series game disc into a console with a disc drive grants a digital license tied to both the physical disc and the player’s account. This digital license follows the user across Xbox devices. If the physical disc is sold or traded, ownership of the digital license transfers to the new owner, preventing the original owner from continuing to play the digital version.
Microsoft originally planned an Xbox Insider public beta for the disc to digital feature in July, aiming for a full launch in August. While the beta experienced delays, the program remains part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to bridge physical libraries with digital storefronts.
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