Bans for Emulation on Xbox Consoles? Microsoft Tightened the Rules
Phil Spencer wanted universal emulation of old games on all devices. However, for the time being, Microsoft is said to have ban users (including on consoles) for distributing and using emulators on Xboxes.
Nintendo isn't the only one giving retro game fans a hard time. Apparently, they are also having problems with Microsoft, which is reportedly blocking the accounts of players who share emulators or use them on Xbox consoles.
The issue was reported by youtuber Hikikomori Media (via Twitter), who looked into the Xbox Emulation Hub Discord server. In the first half of the year, Microsoft patched a vulnerability on Xbox Series X/S that enabled emulators (available directly from Microsoft's store as ROMs) to run in so-called Retail Mode.
However, in early July, a group known as UWeaPons Store announced that it had found a way to bypass these restrictions (via Tom Warren). The tool was made available to people who supported the group on Patreon by an amount of at least $2 per month. The method proved successful - until then.
As reported by Hikikomori Media (and confirmed by Video Games Chronicle and journalist Tom Warren), an announcement was made last Tuesday on the Xbox Emulation Hub server regarding the planned closure of the Retail Mode emulation channel.
- The reason is are 15-day account bans issued by Microsoft for using emulators in this mode. GoldenSky - channel's moderator and the man responsible for the development of RetroArch - warned server users to remove emulators from their Xboxes as soon as possible.
- Microsoft is also expected to penalize sharing of emulation programs running in Retail Mode, and to ban the user's device. In other words, the device will not be able to access network features, including multiplayer modes and the store. Most likely, these are permanent bans, if indeed they affect the entire console, and not just selected options (vide official message on device bans).
Of course, there is still emulation in the so-called Dev Mode, or developer mode. However, there are some problems with this:
- First, although the the application itself is available for free, the activation of Developer Mode requires a one-time payment of $19 to set up an account with the Xbox Partner Program (via Microsoft).
- Secondly, Dev Mode has to be enabled on its own and does not enable the user to use apps and Retail Mode features.. So forget about the network connection or Quick Resume option.
Microsoft's actions would not be surprising (after all, users have been deliberately overlooking the restriction imposed by the company), if it were not for one detail. After the end of 2021 Phil Spencer called for the development of a universal emulation system that would allow for old titles to be played on any device:
"I think if we said: 'Hey, everyone should be able to buy any game or own any game and still play it,' that would be a great north star for us as an industry," the Xbox chief said in an interview with Axios.
