Xenia officially responds to rumored Microsoft collab on next-gen Xbox backwards compatibility

Xbox was rumored to be working with open-source Xbox 360 emulator Xenia to bring original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles to the next-generation Xbox console. But now those rumors have been put to rest.

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The rumors came from YouTuber and leaker Extas1s, who claimed Microsoft entered into a partnership with Xenia to begin work on bringing original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles to PC and handheld devices such as the Xbox ROG Ally. More specifically, the leaker stated these games would be coming to PC and handheld devices via a new advanced emulator that would increase in-game performance and graphical fidelity.

Shortly after the media picked up the rumors from Extas1s, multiple industry experts, including Xenia themselves chimed in, with Jez Corden, the executive editor for Windows Central, and known Microsoft/Xbox insider with a solid reputation writing, "Xbox is gunning to bring Xbox games to more devices, this particular scenario isn't a thing at the moment."

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Xenia responded to the rumors in the team's official Discord server, writing, "It's not real. Microsoft has their own Xbox 360 emulator, they'd never even consult Xenia." Adding, "If it was real, I'd be under NDA." Extas1s actually doubled down on his leaked information, writing that Xenia is under NDA, and "don't worry, we'll see it in 2026."

Xenia has since responded again, reiterating it currently isn't collaborating with Xbox on anything, writing, "The Xenia (and Xenia Canary, by extension) team is by no means associated with, nor working alongside Microsoft in any capacity. Microsoft uses their own emulation to provide backwards compatibility on Xbox One/Series consoles and as such has no reason to collaborate with Xenia, even if they decided to bring these titles to PC."

Xenia continues to be a community-run effort that encourages and enforces legal emulation practices both in development and within this server."