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Linux compatibility has made huge leaps and bounds over the past few years, with the likes of Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store all working on the platform to some degree, either officially or via 3rd-party apps. But one store that has so far eluded Linux support is the Xbox/Microsoft Store. While cloud streaming via Xbox Game Pass is supported via 3rd party apps, we aren't yet able to download our purchased or Game Pass subscription games to our Linux devices.

Thanks to a new project in the works from the developer of the Heroic Games Launcher, all of that could be about to change.

Xbox Game Pass coming to Steam Deck

The Xodus project is working on allowing Linux users to run Xbox PC and Xbox Game Pass games locally on their device by reverse-engineering the framework that they're built on. They've already made significant progress by having a functional Xbox login system that can check the licenses you have for games, as well as game downloads themselves; now they have the big task of getting those games actually working.

XodusDev
Source: Reddit

This would be a huge boost for Linux gaming if the developers manage to get it functioning. I won't tell you how many times I've heard from my friend group about how they wish their Game Pass subscription would work with their Steam Decks.

That being said, the Xodus project is targeting games using Microsoft's newer GDK and MSIXVC format. Older apps that use the UWP format, such as many games released during the Windows 8 and early Windows 10 period (Forza Horizon 3, Gears of War 4), aren't planned to be supported.

Source: VideoCardz

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Oliver Stogden
Oliver began playing video games at an early age, starting with the SNES console and Commodore Amiga computer. Nowadays, his interest is in the future of portable technology, such as handheld gaming systems, portable power stations/banks, and portable monitors. And seeing just how far we can push these devices.
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