Xbox

This article is about the "Xbox" brand. For the 2001 console, seeXbox (console).

Xbox Wiki has a more detailed section if you're referring to different types of Xboxes, you can find ithere.

Xbox

Xbox (or stylized asXBOX) is a video gaming brand created and owned byMicrosoft Gaming, a division ofMicrosoft. The brand consists of a series of video game consoles, applications (games), the streaming serviceXbox Cloud Gaming, online services such asXbox network andXbox Game Pass, and the development arm namedXbox Game Studios.

The brand was first introduced in the United States in November 2001, with the launch of theoriginal Xbox console. The Xbox branding was formerly, from 2012 to 2015, used as Microsoft's digital media entertainment brand, replacingZune. In 2022, Microsoft expanded its gaming business and reorganized Xbox to become part of its newly formed Microsoft Gaming division. Under Microsoft Gaming, Xbox's first-party publishers areXbox Game Studios,ZeniMax Media (Bethesda Softworks), andActivision Blizzard (Activision,Blizzard Entertainment, andKing), who own numerous studios and successful franchises.

The original device was the first video game console offered by an American company after the Atari Jaguar stopped sales in 1996. It reached over 24 million units sold as of May 2006. Microsoft's second console, theXbox 360, was released in 2005 and has sold 84 million units as of June 2014. The third console in the series, theXbox One, was released in 21 markets in total, with a Chinese release in September 2014. The fourth line of consoles, theXbox Series X andSeries S, were released in November 2020.

The head of Xbox isPhil Spencer, who succeeded former head Marc Whitten in late March 2014.^[1]

History[]

Xbox[]

Main article:Xbox (console)

The originalXbox was released on November 15, 2001, in North America, February 22, 2002, in Japan, and March 14, 2002, in Australia and Europe. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console market. As part of the sixth generation of gaming, the Xbox competed with Sony's PlayStation 2, Sega's Dreamcast (which stopped American sales before the Xbox went on sale), and Nintendo's GameCube. The Xbox was the first console offered by an American company after the Atari Jaguar stopped sales in 1996. The name Xbox was derived from a contraction ofDirectX Box, a reference to Microsoft's graphics API,DirectX.^[2]

The integratedXbox Live service launched in November 2002 and allowed players to play games online with a broadband connection.^[3] It first competed with Dreamcast's online service but later primarily competed with PlayStation 2's online service. Although these two are free while Xbox Live required a subscription, as well as broadband-only connection which was not completely adopted yet, Xbox Live was a success due to better servers, features such as a buddy list, and milestone titles likeHalo 2 (released in November 2004), which is the best-selling Xbox video game and was by far the most popular online game for years.

Xbox 360[]

Main article:Xbox 360

TheXbox 360 was released as the successor of the original Xbox in November 2005, competing with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. As of June 30, 2013, 78.2 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide. The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The console sold out completely upon release in all regions except in Japan.

The Xbox 360 showed an expanded Xbox Live service (which now included a limited "Free" tier called Silver), the ability to stream multimedia content from PCs, while later updates added the ability to purchase and stream music, television programs, and films through the Xbox Music and Xbox Video services, along with access to third-party content services through third-party media streaming applications. Microsoft also released Kinect, a motion control system for the Xbox 360 which uses an advanced sensor system.

At their E3 presentation on June 14, 2010, Microsoft announced a redesigned Xbox 360 that would ship on the same day. The redesigned console is slimmer than the previous Xbox 360 model and features integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, TOSLINK S/PDIF optical audio output, five USB 2.0 ports (compared to the three from older versions) and special port designed for the Kinect peripheral. Older models of the Xbox 360 have since been discontinued. The first new console to be released features a 250 GB hard drive, while a later less expensive SKU features 4 GB internal storage.

Xbox One[]

Main article:Xbox One

TheXbox One was released on November 22, 2013, in North America, as the successor of the Xbox 360. The Xbox One competes with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U and Switch as part of the eighth generation of video game consoles.

Announced on May 21, 2013, the Xbox One has an emphasis on internet-based features, including the ability to record and stream gameplay, and the ability to integrate with a set-top box to watch cable or satellite TV through the console with an enhanced guide interface and Kinect-based voice control.

Following its unveiling, the Xbox One proved controversial for its original digital rights management and privacy practices; while Microsoft touted the ability for users to access their library of games (regardless of whether they were purchased physically or digitally) on any Xbox One console without needing their discs, and the ability to share their entire library with 10 designated "family" members, all games would have to be tied to the user's Xbox Live account and their Xbox One console, and the console would be required to connect to the Internet on a periodic basis (at least once every 24 hours) to synchronize the library, or else the console would be unable to play any games at all. After an overwhelmingly negative response from critics and consumers (who also showed concerns that the system could prevent or hinder the resale of used games), Microsoft announced that these restrictions would be dropped. Microsoft was also criticized for requiring the Xbox One to have its updated Kinect peripheral plugged in to function, which critics and privacy advocates believed could be used as a surveillance device. As a gesture toward showing a commitment to user privacy, Microsoft decided to allow the console to function without Kinect.

On June 13, 2016, Microsoft announced the Xbox One S, a slimmer version of the Xbox One, at E3 2016. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, announced Project Scorpio at E3 2016 on June 13, 2016, an addition to the Xbox One family, saying it would release in Holiday 2017. At E3 2017, Microsoft revealed the final name of the console to be Xbox One X, and that it would start shipping worldwide on November 7, 2017, for a final retail price of $499.

Xbox Series X and Series S[]

Main articles:Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

TheXbox Series X andXbox Series S (simply namedXbox^[4]) were both released on November 10, 2020 as part of the fourth generation of Xbox models. The Xbox Series X and Series S are high- and low-end consoles, respectively, with all games designed for this model family playable on both systems. Both are considered members of the ninth generation of video game consoles alongside the PlayStation 5, also released that month.

The Series X is estimated to be four times as powerful as the Xbox One X, with support for 8K resolution and up to 120 frames-per-second rendering. The Series S is a digital-only unit with less graphic processing power, but can still render at a nominal 1440p resolution at 60 frames per second with support for 4K upscaling.

Comparison[]

Future[]

Microsoft has been recently working to leverage the branding of "Xbox" beyond the console hardware to a general video game brand, reflected in the renaming of Microsoft Studios toXbox Game Studios in 2019. Phil Spencer stated in June 2019 that for Microsoft, "The business isn’t how many consoles you sell. The business is how many players are playing the games that they buy, how they play." which journalists have taken as a route to de-emphasize console hardware and prioritize games, subscriptions, and services for players. Later in February 2020, Spencer said that moving forward, the company does not see "traditional gaming companies" like Nintendo and Sony as their competitors, but rather those that offer cloud computing services such as Amazon andGoogle. Spencer identified thatMicrosoft Azure is a major component of their plans going forward, which powers itsxCloud game streaming service. Spencer also cited mobile gaming as a potential area, and where Microsoft was trying to position itself with its services, should this become the more preferred form for gaming. Spencer said, "I don't think it's 'hardware agnostic' as much as it's 'where you want to play'", in describing how Microsoft was strategizing the Xbox branding for the future.

During the Xbox Showcase presentation in June 2025, Microsoft announced the AsusROG Xbox Ally, as well as a ROG Xbox Ally X version, that will use Windows and play thousands of Xbox games, as well as compatibility with Steam and other launchers. These devices were launched on October 16, 2025.^[5] According toThe Verge, Microsoft had been working on its own handheld Xbox device before the partnership with Asus, and has since dropped its internal development to focus on the ROG Ally.^[6]

Games[]

Each console has a variety of games. Most games released on the original Xbox are backward compatible and can be played directly on its successor, Xbox 360. Backward compatibility with Xbox 360 titles was added to Xbox One in June 2015, although titles requiring Kinect or USB peripherals will not be supported.

Games using the Xbox and Xbox Live brands have also been released forMicrosoft Windows,Windows Phone,Android, and iOS. Xbox games can also be played using theXbox Cloud Gaming streaming service.

Services[]

Xbox network[]

Main article:Xbox network

Xbox network (formerly known asXbox Live) is an online service with over 65 million users worldwide (as of July 2019). It comprises an online virtual market, theXbox Games Store, which allows the purchase and download of games and various forms of multimedia. Online gaming on the Xbox first started on November 15, 2002, worldwide. The service is still active and continues to be played by gamers.

Microsoft Store[]

Main article:Microsoft Store

Microsoft Store is an online marketplace made for theXbox One,Xbox Series X, andXbox Series S consoles, where players can buy games and movies through digital downloads. TheXbox 360 used the previousXbox Games Store client.

Xbox Live Marketplace[]

Main article:Xbox Live Marketplace

TheXbox Live Marketplace (XBLM) is a virtual market designed for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live members to download purchased or promotional content. The service offers movie and game trailers, Video Store, game demos, Xbox Live Arcade games, Xbox Live Indie Games (Previously Community Games), Games on Demand (Xbox 360 and Xbox Originals), downloadable content such as map packs, gamer pictures, and Xbox 360 Dashboard themes.

The August 11, 2009 update added Xbox 360 games for download, the Avatar Marketplace, and renamed Community Games to Indie Games.

The Spring 2007 update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard relocated the Marketplace to its own "blade" in order to bring more attention to the service and make it more accessible to users. Although this has been obsoleted by the NXE update, the section has been implemented into three separate sections in the Dashboard: the Game Marketplace, Video & Music Marketplace, and Avatar Marketplace.

Downloaded content requires enough space on either the Xbox 360's hard drive or an Xbox 360 Memory Unit. Selected downloads are placed in a queue and are downloaded whilst the console is powered on and is connected to Xbox Live. Users can choose to send certain downloads to the front of the queue to be downloaded first. Downloads are temporarily halted during certain times where games make use of Xbox Live's features (e.g. online multiplayer).

Xbox SmartGlass[]

Main article:Xbox SmartGlass

Xbox SmartGlass is a companion application forXbox 360 available forWindows 8,Windows 10,Windows Phone, iOS,Android (version 4.0 and above), and Windows Server 2012. It was announced by Microsoft during E3 2012 and released on October 26, 2012, coinciding with the release of Windows 8. It connects with the Xbox 360 and allows more interactive entertainment, allowing mobile devices to potentially serve as second screens and remote controller. Currently Windows 8 and Windows RT Tablets and PCs, Windows Phone (7.5 and 8) iOS devices, and Android smartphones (4.x) are compatible with SmartGlass, providing information such asHalo 4 stats andForza Horizon GPS. Users of Windows Server 2012 can currently download the application from the Windows Store after installing the Windows Desktop Experience feature in the Server Manager.

Xbox Cloud Gaming[]

Main article:Xbox Cloud Gaming

Xbox Cloud Gaming (codenamedxCloud during development) is the cloud gaming streaming service for the Xbox and Windows, as well as iOS, iPadOS, macOS,Xbox One,Xbox Series X/S, Steam Deck, ChromeOS, Meta Quest, select Fire TV devices, and select Samsung and LG smart TVs and smart monitors.

Content filter[]

In 2019, Microsoft released a content filtering system to stop toxicity in online gaming. The service enables players to report messages, gamertags, photos, and any other toxic content on its platform.^[7]

Xbox Game Pass[]

Main article:Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service from Microsoft for use with itsXbox One andWindows 10. Described as "Netflix for video games", the Xbox Game Pass grants users access to a catalog of games from a range of publishers for a single monthly subscription price. The service was launched on June 1, 2017.

Xbox Wire[]

Xbox Wire is the official news blog of Xbox, launched byMicrosoft in May 2013 in preparation for the announcement of the Xbox One. It was Microsoft's first Xbox-focused blog since it shut down Gamerscore in early 2009.^[8] In March 2022, a Japanese-language version of the site was published as part of Microsoft's focus on the Japanese gaming market.

Software[]

Main article:Xbox system software

The main interface for all four generations of Xbox has been the Xbox Dashboard, which allows users to manage games stored on the console, play media, and access system settings. Since 2002, the Dashboard has been integrated with theXbox network, which provides online functionality and storefront options. The operating systems for all Xbox platforms are heavily modified versions of theWindows NT operating system; the original Xbox and the Xbox 360 system software are based onWindows 2000, and the latest system software for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S is based onWindows 11, with support forUniversal Windows Platform (UWP) applications.

Controllers[]

Xbox Controller[]

Released in 2001, the Xbox control pad was the first controller made for the original Xbox. The Xbox controller features two analog sticks, a pressure-sensitive directional pad, two analog triggers, a Back button, a Start button, two accessory slots and six 8-bit analog action buttons (A/Green, B/Red, X/Blue, Y/Yellow, and Black and White buttons). The standard Xbox controller (originally nicknamed the "Fatty" and later the "Duke") was originally the controller bundled with Xbox systems for all territories except Japan.

Xbox 360 Controller[]

Released in 2005, the Xbox 360 controller for the Xbox 360 succeeded its predecessor. A standard Xbox 360 controller features eleven digital buttons, two analog triggers, two analog sticks, and a digital D-pad. The right face of the controller features four digital action buttons; a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button, and yellow "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in the lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labeled with the Xbox logo and is used to turn on the console/controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting and to provide notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.

Xbox One Controller[]

The Xbox One console has a revised controller with forty improvements over the 360's controller. This new controller is built to work with Kinect. The Start and Back buttons are replaced with Menu and View buttons. It has impulse triggers that replace regular triggers. The button with the Xbox logo will no longer bring up the Xbox Guide as the Xbox Guide Button on the Xbox 360 controller did. The button will now open up the dashboard without interrupting the game currently being played by the user. Once pressed again, the Xbox will resume the game.

Xbox Series X and Series S Controller[]

The fourth generation Xbox Controller has not changed much from the Xbox One controller, but it does add a capture and share button, as well as a hybridD-pad, and better gripping on the bumpers and triggers. The controller is also cross-compatible with certain PCs and mobile devices.

Xbox Adaptive Controller[]

The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a special controller designed for accessibility features for players. Besides being physically larger than typical controllers, it includes additional ports to allow other devices to be connected and mapped to other controller functions. The controller is not limited to just Xbox and Windows platforms but also is compatible with the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Other accessories[]

Kinect[]

Main article:Kinect

Kinect (stylized asKINECT) is a motion-sensing input device by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game console and Windows PCs. Based around a webcam-style add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller, through a natural user interface using gestures and spoken commands. The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its typical gamer base. Kinect competes with the Wii Remote Plus and PlayStation Move with PlayStation Eye motion controllers for the Wii and PlayStation 3 home consoles, respectively. A version for Windows was released on February 1, 2012.

Kinect was launched in North America on November 4, 2010, in Europe on November 10, 2010, in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore on November 18, 2010, and in Japan on November 20, 2010. Purchase options for the sensor peripheral include a bundle with the gameKinect Adventures and console bundles with either a 4 GB or 250 G Xbox 360 console andKinect Adventures.

The Kinect claimed the Guinness World Record of being the "fastest-selling consumer electronics device" after selling a total of 8 million units in its first 60 days. 24 million units of the Kinect sensor had been shipped as of January 2012.

Microsoft released the Kinect software development kit for Windows 7 on June 16, 2011. This SDK was meant to allow developers to write Kinecting apps in C++/CLI, C#, or Visual Basic .NET.

Additional information on the Xbox One Kinect was released on June 6, 2013, including information on how to turn off the "always-on" feature.

Although featuring improved performance over the original Xbox 360 Kinect, its successor, the Xbox One Kinect, was subject to mixed responses. It was praised for its wide-angle, its fast response time, and high-quality camera. However, the Kinect's inability to understand some accents in English was criticized. Furthermore, controversies surround Microsoft's intentional tying of the sensor with the Xbox One console, despite the initial requirements for the sensor being plugged in at all times having been revised since its initial announcement. There have also been a number of privacy concerns.

Marketing[]

In 2016, Microsoft announced that it would hold its own Xbox FanFest instead of a press conference at the Gamescom annual European video game convention.^[9] Microsoft held an Xbox FanFest in Sydney in September 2016.^[10]

Microsoft held a 20th anniversary celebration stream for the Xbox on November 15, 2021. During this event, they announced a documentary behind the history of the Xbox, titledPower On: The Story of Xbox. It was released in six parts starting on December 13, 2021.^[11] The documentary won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Camera Editing.^[12]

References[]

External links[]

• Official Xbox website
• Xbox Wiki (unofficial)
• Xbox at Wikipedia