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Microsoft has been dealing with a lot of iffy applications and software running amok in their stores since they enabled almost anyone to get a hold of development access to their systems starting from the Xbox One console (done mostly as a detriment to avoid their systems getting hacked, like what happened with the Xbox 360).

Due to that, there has been a constant fight between devs and Microsoft to get rid of those unauthorized applications from appearing in their store. Some might have seen some threads going around about RetroArch running through Retail Mode on Xbox consoles, and while RetroArch did end up in the store from time to time, the people in charge of the port had to constantly deal with Microsoft taking down the application constantly.

However, it seems like Microsoft got tired of this game of cat and mouse, and has finally decided to disable and prevent running any type of emulator application from running on any Xbox console altogether, with any attempt to launch an emulator app throwing error code 0x87E1002D.

The developers have shared the recent news on the Xbox Emulation Hub Discord server with the following:

It's been a good run guys!
As of today, it looks like Microsoft finally decided to fight back, and that faster takedowns weren't good enough.
https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/errors/error-code-0x87e1002d

Error 0x87e1002d
"This game or app can't be launched as it violates the Microsoft Store Policy."

If you want any hope of Retail Mode emulation ever making a comeback NOW is the time to fight them on it.
Take it to Twitter, take it wherever you can and complain to Xbox about this decision.

So what are our current options for emulation on Xbox?
- Dev Mode is still very much an option.
You can either pay the stupid $20 / €20 fee, or you can simply make a new account set to TURKEY and pay $2 / €2, literally 1/10th the price.
- If your currently installed retail mode apps still work.
This will likely not last long, and they probably already don't work anymore.

-Will continue doing retail mode uploads from here on out?
Probably not. Unless this gets resolved, I'm going to focus on publishing weekly Dev Mode updates in #dev-announcements with our specialised cores for RetroArch.

While running the emulators through Dev Mode is still viable, it is unknown if Microsoft will tackle Dev mod next in any capacity, and it's still unknown if running applications like these from Retail mode will be available at all in any foreseeable future.

Xbox Emulation Hub Official Discord Server
Error code webpage on Xbox's site

 

[Ducolamia]

Comprehension obviously isn't your strong suit.

No, I'm with SylverReZ. What would be the point?

The Steam Deck is basically a culmination of Valve's other failed projects like the Steam Controller and Machine put together into one successful console. Considering you can already dock the Steam Deck and use it as a Mini PC, would it be worth it just for the specs alone? Building a PC or getting a mini PC to run Steam/RetroArch/various emulators is easy nowadays. You also have plenty of cheaper options. Steam's Big Picture Mode can also run on most PCs seamlessly as long as your controller is registered as the X-box layout (issues with changing some settings and the TDP not withstanding). It's a shame that X-box got shafted really hard here, but what you can do?

Regardless, this is unsurprising as a move by Nintendo. They know they can't take down the emulators themselves so they'll strong-arm companies into getting rid of an ENTIRE mode just to do so. Meanwhile, they'll continuously drip feed content on their own rental services and wonder why people are still emulating their games. LOL

 

[linuxares]

Now I'm hopin Steam make a home console.

Why? It's just a PC at that point.

 

[Kioku]

Now I'm hopin Steam make a home console.

Steam Machines.

 

[adamsef]

Just when Microsoft was moving in the right direction they go and pull a stunt like this!
I guess it was always to good to be a permanent feature!
Absolutely guttered I had my very own Polymega on Steroids for a short while!

 

[Mayo1990]

Now I'm hopin Steam make a home console.

 

[ChronoTrig]

This isn't a new rule. It's closing a loophope.

Emulators that let you run any game (emulated commercial compilations are packaged/licensed for specific games), were never permissible on the Microsoft Store.

this. Surprised I had to get this far in to read this.
They've always from the start of the series s/x have been combatting against the retail side having the retroarch being slipped through and banning accounts then too. Now that people were making it even more mainstream via youtube videos (they were still doing waves of bans for people doing the retail client side previously) and what not it became more of a hot-button issue they needed to squash (and Microsoft is getting more buddy buddy with Nintendo). They did it this way and now all the kids are up in arms about it because it became the very popular way to get around (a fee of $20 but the license for it is about 50~ years or so) not having to pay the $20 for dev mode.
They say there's more resources freely allocated in dev mode as well when you run apps cause it doesn't need to run everything else like in retail mode.

 

[ploggy]

Well shit, I was afraid this day was gonna come. I knew once Xenia was released on Retail Mode it was only a matter of time.
I don't believe Nintendo is the cause of this, they had what 2 years to make a stink about Retail Mode Emulators.
This is MS/XBOX protecting its own..

 

[Fugelmir]

You need to get more fucking sleep, dude.

 

[ploggy]

Yea, the devs always had to play cat and mouse with MS when it comes to removing/re-adding the apps on Retail but MS never went as far as outright Blocking Retail mode Emulators completely until now.

...and I sleep fine thanks

 

[Goku1992A]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought emulatiors was ran on DEV mode never on retail.

The catch was you had to pay $20.. if this is the case why is it a big deal

Ppl should know better that emulators can't be ran on retail mode because of piracy.

Wasn't even aware this was even on retail honestly

 

[Lumstar]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought emulatiors was ran on DEV mode never on retail.

The catch was you had to pay $20.. if this is the case why is it a big deal

Ppl should know better that emulators can't be ran on retail mode because of piracy.

Wasn't even aware this was even on retail honestly

It's about piracy, but not JUST piracy.

Store apps are forbidden to emulate game consoles. Even if they can't run arbitrary roms.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/publish/store-policies

 

[guily6669]

Why? It's just a PC at that point.

Totally agree, Can't say I would ever care for a steambox...

The only way it would interest me would be if they make a cool one with 100% full PC known hardware with beast performance that they would sell for much cheaper than buying the whole parts for a PC...

If it's the same price or very similar there is 0 interest from me cause I can just chose my own parts with the case I want my self, it all comes down to price for me.

 

[Lather]

maybe MS is fighting with hack? for the hacker they always try to do more.
when I play FM7 I used ce to cheat and get banned, but I can make another account get my cheat save without ban.
but next time I play FH4, it doesnt work, MS will ban my computer, even I make another new account, its still ban you from play online match, but ok to get other online services.

 

[linuxares]

Totally agree, Can't say I would ever care for a steambox...

The only way it would interest me would be if they make a cool one with 100% full PC known hardware with beast performance that they would sell for much cheaper than buying the whole parts for a PC...

If it's the same price or very similar there is 0 interest from me cause I can just chose my own parts with the case I want my self, it all comes down to price for me.

It would be cool if they made it a mini itx if so. Or atleast like Framework and Clevo do where you can upgrade some hardware

 

[Azmort]

I had just uploaded a bunch of games to my friend's Xbox on wednesday night and the next day he got this message, oh well, I love being able to have emulators on console, but PC will be always the way to go in this area.

 

[cvskid]

Dev mode is pretty good deal it's a 1 time purchase that you can even share with up to 2 other xbox consoles. 20 dollars for 3 xbox consoles to have emulators on them. Wish other consoles gave something like a dev mode.

 

[naddel81]

Dev mode is pretty good deal it's a 1 time purchase that you can even share with up to 2 other xbox consoles. 20 dollars for 3 xbox consoles to have emulators on them. Wish other consoles gave something like a dev mode.

how to share if I do not want to share my account password?

 

[cvskid]

how to share if I do not want to share my account password?

Looks like this article has a way of sharing without sharing personal info.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-activate-and-share-dev-mode-on-xbox-one-up-to-3-devices.468161/

 

[G33ksquad]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought emulatiors was ran on DEV mode never on retail.

The catch was you had to pay $20.. if this is the case why is it a big deal

Ppl should know better that emulators can't be ran on retail mode because of piracy.

Wasn't even aware this was even on retail honestly

I’m also not sure why this is such big news, I’m glad it worked for a while, but always was surprised it was possible, always seemed easier to me to just get dev mode and load emulators that way. I spent the $20 years ago when I first saw you could play PS2 games, it’s definitely worth it.

 

[raxadian]

"I don't fucking care, they'll still buy our games!"

Pokemon games on the Switch basically.