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
Xbox is going all‑in on Play Anywhere again and it’s bigger than you think
News Xbox’s GDC 2026 lineup, led by Jason Ronald, reinforces a clear ecosystem first strategy with a strong Play Anywhere and PC development push, but no confirmed new hardware announcements.
High on Life 2 leans into the absurd, and critics say that’s its secret weapon
News Early scores suggest High on Life 2 builds confidently on its predecessor, delivering more chaos, more jokes, and a slightly stronger critical reception overall.
Bethesda's Todd Howard reveals how one of Fallout 3's biggest DLCs came to be
Xbox In a new interview, Todd Howard has revealed Bethesda made one of Fallout 3's biggest DLCs to fix its controversial ending.
Diablo 2: Reign of the Warlock adds the first new class in 25 years
Xbox Reign of the Warlock is here, and Diablo 2 and Diablo 4 BOTH get the new Warlock class.
The creator of Fable was "tearing up" watching Xbox show off the RPG reboot
Xbox Fable creator Peter Molyneux reveals that watching Xbox's recent gameplay showcase for the 2026 reboot made him start "tearing up."
An Xbox One S with PC guts? Yep
News This sleeper build keeps the original Xbox One S exterior intact while delivering strong 1080p performance and surprisingly balanced thermals in a compact chassis.
Fallout 76 may finally get a feature fans have begged Bethesda for since launch
Xbox Fans of Fallout 76 have been asking Bethesda to add crossplay for years, and the studio has promised it's "looking into" the possibility.
167% growth on Xbox and Play Anywhere might be the real story
News The First Descendant has surged 167% on Xbox following its addition to Xbox Play Anywhere and launch on the Xbox PC app. Increased visibility and cross progression may be driving renewed interest.
