Modders are bringing Xbox and PC Game Pass to Linux and Mac

Linux gaming has been around for decades, but thanks to the popularity of Valve's Steam Deck alongside the consensus that Windows 11 has evolved into a bloated mess for PC gaming, it's becoming increasingly popular. Xodus is from the same team of modders and developers behind the Heroic Game Launcher, which brought Epic, GOG, and Amazon Prime Games to Linux and Mac, so the expectation is that this new project will deliver on its promise.

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The Xbox app and PC Game Pass are both currently exclusive to Windows, with the former being the company's Steam-like storefront for PC games that also doubles as the interface and launcher for accessing the PC Game Pass. Thanks to the open-source Xodus project, PC gamers and Game Pass subscribers might soon be able to run Xbox PC games and Game Pass on a Linux or Mac system.

And so far, progress is looking good, with the Xodus team confirming that it's created a working Xbox login system that then confirms the licenses for the games you own (or have access to via Game Pass), with the option to install them. Of course, getting the games to run is the next step, and the most crucial, with the team reverse-engineering the frameworks, targeting the newer GDK and MSIXVC format.

This means that older UWP games from the Windows 8 and early Windows 10 era like Forza Horizon 3 won't be supported. Plus, existing games would still need to run via Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question #1

Will Xodus allow installation of Game Pass titles on Linux and Mac, and how does it handle owned versus Game Pass games?

Yes. The Xodus team has built a working Xbox login that confirms licenses for games you own or have access to via Game Pass and provides the option to install them on Linux and Mac. It treats owned games and Game Pass-available games by checking their licenses and allowing installation, though actually running those games will still require Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton and older UWP titles will not be supported.

Answered

Question #2

Which Xbox/PC Game formats and frameworks is the Xodus team targeting for compatibility (for example GDK, MSIXVC, UWP)?

Click to reveal answer

Question #3

Why won't older UWP-era games like Forza Horizon 3 be supported by Xodus?

Xodus is reverse-engineering and targeting the newer GDK and MSIXVC format, so it focuses on games using those modern frameworks. Older UWP-era titles from the Windows 8 and early Windows 10 era, like Forza Horizon 3, use the legacy UWP frameworks and formats and therefore will not be supported.

Answered

Question #4

How will Xodus run Game Pass games on Linux and Mac—will it require Wine, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, or native ports?

Xodus will not provide native ports; existing games will still need to run via compatibility layers such as Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton. The team is reverse-engineering the newer GDK and MSIXVC format, and older UWP-era games will not be supported.

Answered

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Ultimately, this is great news for PC gamers with a Steam Deck, Steam Machine, or Linux-based rig who want access to the PC Game Pass library, so hopefully there's a working version on the horizon.