Windows Central Insider
Xbox is Microsoft's gaming division. Launched in 2001 with the original Xbox console (presented by Bill Gates and The Rock, no less), the division has gone through multiple permutations on its journey to its current form. Originally envisioned as a device that could bring Windows to the living room, Xbox eventually competed more directly with PlayStation targeting core gamers.
Xbox had solid success in the United States and other English-speaking markets, buoyed by heavy hitters like Halo and Forza, alongside various heavy hitting third-party exclusive titles. Microsoft's Xbox is responsible for various gaming innovations that are now commonplace. Online live infrastructure, "games as a service" titles, subscription services, and cloud-first business models owe at least something to initiatives spearheaded by Microsoft (for better or worse).
Essential Xbox reading
Latest about Xbox
Microsoft's Xbox studios work together more than you think, says Matt Booty
Xbox Xbox Game Studios has over 30 teams under its wing, and chief content officer Matt Booty says they collaborate more often than many believe they do.
Xbox should add this Steam price tracking feature
Gaming A Steam backend update suggests expanded price history tracking could be on the way. The feature highlights a gap on Xbox, where users still rely on third party tools to track game pricing.
Xbox Game Camp expands to Minneapolis in 2026
XBOX Xbox Game Camp returns in 2026 with a new program in Minneapolis, offering a 12 week training course for young developers to build games, learn key skills, and create a portfolio with Microsoft.
Game Pass helps games succeed beyond Xbox says ID@Xbox
XBOX ID@Xbox director Guy Richards says Xbox Game Pass boosts game discovery and can drive sales beyond Xbox platforms, highlighting its wider impact across the industry.
Overwatch Season 2 drops new hero and lore event
Gaming Overwatch Season 2: Summit arrived today, and it’s a massive update introducing high-octane DPS hero Sierra and a bounty of rewards to earn on an all-new battle pass.
You probably didn't know you could use an Xbox Storage Expansion Card like this
XBOX A Reddit user has found a way to use an Xbox Expansion Card on PC with a CFexpress adapter, potentially giving unused storage a second life with faster-than-SATA SSD speeds.
GTAV leak reveals GTA Online earnings, as consoles dominate PC
Xbox Leaked data reveals how GTA Online performs across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, showing higher spending per player on Xbox and significantly stronger overall revenue on console compared to PC.
Former Xbox lead says he thinks Phil Spencer "did a fantastic job"
Xbox Former Microsoft Xbox lead Ed Fries praises Phil Spencer's work and says he believes Asha Sharma can "make things happen, change the world" as CEO.
