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Xbox Launches XBOX LABS to Test New Features, Revive Classics and Port Games
Xbox has launched XBOX LABS, a small team that will test new features, revive classic games and port titles, with browser distribution via WebGPU as one focus.
Xbox has launched XBOX LABS, a new initiative to test emerging features, revive classic games and port titles to new platforms. The project was announced on October 13, 2026, and it is built around a small team that will turn early ideas into playable experiences.
What was announced
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma introduced XBOX LABS in a post on X and on the Xbox website. She pointed to the growing trend of porting games, noting that Windows PC builds now run on Apple Silicon or in browsers through WebAssembly and WebGPU, and that WebGPU is "now approaching 90% global browser support." Sharma said the goal is to make games easier to access, give older games new life and let more players become creators.
Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet leads the team, which includes game makers, engineers and scientists. Van Vliet said LABS will not limit the scale of the games it works on, whether AA or indie, at least at the start. Sharma framed the effort as part of Xbox's current priorities, saying, "Our priorities aren't changing."
According to a company spokesperson speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, LABS consolidates projects that were already underway rather than starting new work, and no new staff have been hired. The spokesperson also said LABS has not been directed to use AI or any other specific technology, and will use it only where it helps. Some projects may appear as features in the Xbox Insiders program, while others may reach different audiences through other channels.
Key details
- Publisher: Xbox (Microsoft)
- Announced: October 13, 2026, with coverage on October 14
- Leadership: Led by Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet; announced by CEO Asha Sharma
- Focus areas: Porting to Apple Silicon, browser distribution via WebGPU, and supporting modders
- Scope: Not limited to a particular game size, including AA and indie titles, at least initially
- Missing or unconfirmed: No list of games or release dates has been published. The examples 80.lv cites, including Halo: Combat Evolved playable in a browser and Morrowind running on the web, are earlier ports and not part of the LABS announcement.
What it means for developers
- Web and browser builds are becoming real targets. With WebGPU support near 90%, browser distribution is a serious option for demos and small games.
- Ports are a market in their own right. Xbox is treating classic-game revival as a product area, which may open doors for porting specialists and modders.
- Modding support could grow. The mention of modders suggests more tools and access for community creators, so keep an eye on Insiders and official creator programs.
- Smaller teams may benefit from shared work. LABS is using existing projects and a small team rather than a big new budget, which says a lot about how Xbox plans to test ideas.
- Stay flexible on engine and platform choices. If your game can run on Apple Silicon or in the browser, you may reach players that a console-only build would miss.
Sources
Cover image: © Microsoft.
