A new leak has revealed the source code of one of the most classic video game consoles. Someone has leaked the original Xbox source code, and the code for one version of Windows NT 3.5.
A Microsoft representative told The Verge that the reports of the leaked source codes are real and are currently under investigation. Microsoft's iconic console isn't the only one to fall victim to hackers. Someone leaked the Wii and Nintendo 64 source codes earlier this month.
Fully emulating the Xbox OS and kernel have proved difficult, and some believe that this leak won't help much because some people have had access to the kernel and source code already. Microsoft has taken a hard line stance against emulators, which hasn't stopped people from trying to recreate the Xbox kernel.
Console emulating has been a long-standing presence in the video gaming community. There are mixed reactions to whether this is a good or a bad thing, both among player communities and within developer companies. Capcom's controversial Home Arcade came from an open-source software that banned anyone using it from making a profit off the software, which initially drew some backlash. Unlike Home Arcade, most people making Xbox emulators are doing so for fun or to share with the community, not to make a profit.
The original Xbox was a commercially successful console, and helped pave the way for the Xbox 360, which is arguably an improvement. There were a few issues with the original console that some players had issues with, such as the clunkiness of the Duke controller.
Despite its age, the console is still nostalgic to some people. Although the current Xbox series buzz is centered around the still-unknown release date of Xbox Series X, there are still some people who enjoy playing games on their original consoles and recreating those consoles. Microsoft has its own emulator for Xbox and Xbox 360, but it can only be accessed on the Xbox One. Emulating a game can be an exciting challenge for some people. And with the leak, more people have access to this challenge.
Source: The Verge