For years, anyone running a Linux desktop or a handheld like the Steam Deck had two main options if they wanted to access their PC Game Pass library: either dual-boot Windows or settle for streaming titles over the internet via Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is far from the best experience, but it does work. However, an open-source project called Xodus Nexus is changing the game by allowing users to download and run Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass titles locally on Linux without touching a Windows installation, and that includes the Steam Deck!

Xodus Nexus acts as an Xbox-inspired graphical frontend built on top of the existing Xodus project. Whilst the underlying Xodus framework handles the heavy lifting of Microsoft account authentication, licence verification, and package downloads, Xodus Nexus wraps everything in a clean, user-friendly desktop and handheld interface. Under the hood, the launcher relies on three core components that can be downloaded and updated directly within the application’s settings menu: the Xodus Nexus frontend, a patched Nexus backend, and a custom Nexus runtime built on modified Wine, Xodus Proton, and Xodus XGameRuntime files. This shared runtime bridges the gap between Linux and Microsoft’s Xbox gaming services, enabling local execution alongside Xbox sign-in, cloud saves, and add-on content management for supported titles.

With the recent 0.3.6 and 0.3.7 updates, the developer has placed a heavy focus on making the launcher work smoothly on handheld hardware and within SteamOS. Interestingly, the developer does not actually own a physical Steam Deck yet, having built and tested the SteamOS integration entirely using a virtualised SteamOS environment before handing it over to the community to put through its paces.

Here is a breakdown of the key features and technical specifications currently offered by Xodus Nexus:

• Local Execution: Downloads and runs Microsoft Store purchases and PC Game Pass titles locally on Linux via a custom Proton-based runtime rather than relying on cloud streaming.
• SteamOS Integration: Allows users to add individual games or the entire Xodus Nexus launcher to Steam as Non-Steam shortcuts complete with custom artwork for direct access in Gaming Mode.
• Controller Navigation: Features experimental gamepad controls across the store, library filters, and menus, alongside full mouse, keyboard, and touchscreen support.
• Unified Library and Queue Management: Combines owned titles, Game Pass games, and local installations in one view, featuring a sequential download queue that supports pausing and resuming even after restarting the app.
• Hardware Workarounds: Includes per-game Visual C++ prerequisite toggles and an optional DualSense compatibility mode for Sony controllers.

Because the project is still in active development and entirely independent of Microsoft and Valve, compatibility is a mixed bag depending on the game engine and anti-cheat requirements. Older Universal Windows Platform (UWP) games are not supported at all, and titles relying on strict kernel-level anti-cheat currently fail to launch. Similarly, Steam shortcut integration requires a native Linux installation of Steam, meaning the Flatpak version of Steam is not supported just yet. Users on SteamOS may also need to rely on the touchscreen or mouse input to navigate initial system file pickers and Microsoft passkey sign-in windows, with the browser fallback requiring Google Chrome. So not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction!

Despite those early hurdles, manual testing and community feedback from Linux and Steam Deck users have already confirmed a solid list of working games. Titles reported as playable online include Gears of War: E-Day, Forza Horizon 6, Deep Rock Galactic, Minecraft Dungeons II, No Man’s Sky, Sea of Thieves, and Palworld. Meanwhile, single-player favourites like DOOM: The Dark Ages, DOOM Eternal, The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, Valor Mortis, and Hollow Knight: Silksong are also reported as playable.

Xodus Nexus is available to download right now, check it out on GitHub, though you will naturally still need a valid Microsoft account and an active PC Game Pass subscription to download the games, obviously.