Xbox Is Suspending Players Caught Using Emulators
Xbox Is Suspending Players Caught Using Emulators
It looks like Microsoft is cracking down hard for those found using emulators on the Xbox console lineup.
For a good while, there was a bit of hype built around the Xbox Series S, in particular for the retro gaming scene. It was a cheaper device that offered a small form factor. Likewise, it allowed consumers to download emulators and enjoy various retro video games. But while this process was available, some consumers were skeptical. Of course, it didn’t take Microsoft too long before they outright banned emulators from being available in the marketplace, making it impossible to download and enjoy. That’s just the emulators being used in the Xbox Series X/S retail mode.
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RETAIL MODE ON XBOX IS DEAD!
- 15-day suspensions handed out to users of retail emulators as a warning shot from Microsoft.
- Devs warning users to delete emulators
- Retail Mode team disbanding and shutting down the Patreon. Sorry to bear the bad news. RT to warn others
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Pro-tip: Linus torvalds won’t ban you from using Linux if you use emulators
Neither will Windows. But issue is this was a way to use emulators, play purchased Xbox games, and still have an active friends list at the same time.
Neither will Windows, yet. It won't be long before they start telling you what you're allowed to do, for your own benefit of course.
Seriously. I never understood why people do consoles and buy into every sleazy tactic the companies pull.
Why not both?
This comment was sponsored by !steamdeck@sopuli.xyz
I used them for years until I switched to a gaming pc and steam link. The steam link is unfortunately dead as a concept so I just keep my tv as mirrored screen of my main monitor and plugged into my desktop.
But for what it’s worth it is easier to just buy a console if all you’re interested in is couch gaming
This is a real bummer. If I own the console Microsoft shouldn’t be able to dictate what software I run on it.
If i own the console
Oh no, don’t give them ideas. Soon they’ll make you rent the console like some tech companies are doing. :(
They kinda already do that, you can finance an Xbox over the course of 3 years
Pretty sure you own the console, but none of the software which is a license. So if you flash the console with new core software, you're good. But then you probably can't use an MS account, buy their games, run their games, use friends etc.
Sure, there is a path to do that if you keep your Xbox off the internet. But then you lose multiplayer with friends, being able to download new games, etc.
Wait, you guys have friends?! 🥺
(e: You all seem to think I’m kidding. I’m really not. B1ueSkyRanger on Xbox.)
You can still run all the emulators in developer mode. you just have to switch back to the walled-garden mode if you want to play actual xbox games.
It just sounds like console gaming is getting shittier as the years go by. Like now I can't do what I want with it? They know the only things keeping old games from the void are emulators and enthusiasts right? Are they making these old games available? No? Then they should fuck off.
They dont want you playing the old games, because the old games were good with high replayability and staying power. The new games are designed for you to drop it before you mindlessly buy the new one hoping it will be better (it probably won't).
I don’t think they care about the void, honestly. There was a story last week pointing out that like 87% of games are being lost to time. They don’t seem to care. They’ll just keep churning out clones and bullshit so long as the money keeps flowing. And it will.
Its a slow motion septic pipe burst. I'm just watching as 80% of people don't care and neither to 100% of organizations. These are pieces of our digital history. They matter. We can't see how things were before all the bullshit profit squeezing if no one preserves them. Even my "techie" friends don't give a shit. "Why would I care abiut old games?" Its so much more than that.
"How DARE you to run... EMULATORS... on YOUR Xbox? Oh, sorry... OUR Xbox!HAH!"
- Billy bill
Thankfully even a $10 dollar device can run playstation games nowadays so el oh el to whoever is running emulators on a console.
ALL YOUR GAMES ARE BELONG TO US
You'll own nothing and you'll be happy
~Microsuck
Exhibit number I-lost-count in why my 50/50 PC/console split a decade or two ago is now a 100/0 split.
Steam Deck killed off the last console gaming I was doing.
The steam deck is the first "console" I've brought in a LONG time. It's definitely done right. The controls feel good, and have plenty of options for various games.
The default mode lets me play all my computer steam library. It's slick and mostly just works, even with older games.
On top of that, if I need to, I can just boot to a Linux desktop. It works with Bluetooth keyboards and mice, as well as giving hdmi and usb sockets via the USB c port (needs an adapter/dock). This means it can double for word processing etc, if required.
I actually struggle to find a viable feature it is missing.
Bought*
Yeah the steam deck is pog, keen to see future advancements
Is there a reason you'd want to use retail mode for emulators over developer mode? I don't know what the two modes offer.
The ease of not having to boot into dev mode and rebooting into retail mode if you want to play with friends.
You also don't need to pay the dev fee iirc.
Booting out of dev mode will also remove your apps if you don't explicitly tell it not too. Which in turn is a hassle (there is an app that can be used to bypass this question tho).
You have to pay a 20$ fee do get access to dev mode and reboot the console to switch between the two. So it's mostly just the convenience factor of having your emulators in the same menus as your regular games
Are these modified consoles or are they getting the emulator off the Xbox's own fucking store? Banning people for using something you yourself provided is fucked up, and seems likely to be illegal somehow.
Why would anyone use an unmodded console for emulating? Rooted devices and PCs are the way to go.
Because it’s easy? Why wouldn’t you? If I had an Xbox sitting around and it was an easy option that performed well, I’d give it a shot.
Mac-only household and I can’t afford a PC just for gaming. I don’t want one, anyhow. I’ve been gaming since 1977 and have always preferred consoles, from the Intellivision through every Nintendo (except the Wii), PlayStation, and Xbox iteration. I like controllers and hate Windows with the passion of a white dwarf.
But that’s just me.
I bought a 130 dollar mini-pc that I slapped Batocera on, it turns any computer into a console that runs tons of emulators.
It's revitalized my love of casual gaming
Though, the steam deck should probably be a great option for emulation if you’re interested
And I hate to be the chick suggesting linux dual boot, but if you’re ever interested in trying pc, linux gaming with a controller is pretty good ever since the steam deck came out.
It's still okay to use emulators in dev mode though, right?