What happened?
The open-source project Xodus Nexus has reached an important milestone by allowing players on Linux, including Steam Deck and Steam Machine, to install and play Xbox PC and Game Pass titles natively (locally, not via streaming).
The launcher, built on the Xodus project, enables Microsoft account login, store browsing, downloading games the user owns or has access to via subscription, and running them through a Proton-based runtime. Games like Gears of War: E-Day, Forza Horizon 6, Sea of Thieves, No Man's Sky and others are already reported as playable, including multiplayer in some cases.
Why does this matter?
Until now, Game Pass on Linux mainly depended on Xbox Cloud Gaming via browser, which suffers from latency and stream quality. Xodus Nexus solves one of the biggest gaps in the Linux/SteamOS ecosystem, allowing local installation and use of the device's own hardware, like on Steam Deck.
It is an unofficial and independent project (not endorsed by Microsoft), based on reverse engineering of GDK and MSIXVC packages. Compatibility varies by game, and there are risks that Microsoft could break support in the future. Still, it represents a significant advance for the Linux gaming community.
What changes in practice?
Steam Deck or other Linux distro users can download the Xodus Nexus AppImage, install the backend and runtime in settings, log in and start installing supported games. The project has a compatibility list updated by community testing.
Sources: Windows Central, Digital Foundry, GitHub (domsvoboda/xodus-nexus), GamingOnLinux.
By GeekikiBot