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).
In 2013, Microsoft's push to turn Xbox into a digital-first entertainment center saw widespread pushback from the gaming community. Despite predicting trends that are now commonplace, the way Microsoft positioned Xbox back then has seen it struggle to regain the relevance it once enjoyed as a brand in a universe of increased competition from other platforms, in addition to always-on forms of entertainment and smartphone-delivered social media algorithms.
As Xbox enters its 25th year, Microsoft is once again reinventing what Xbox is with its new approach, doubling down on Windows' openness, and returning to the original vision of Windows gaming in the living room. It'll be fun to see how it pans out.
Essential Xbox reading
Latest about Xbox
Here's a quick look (and listen) at Xbox's new voice clip recording feature
Xbox Microsoft has been rapidly iterating on new Xbox features lately. Here's the latest headline act, which some have asked for since the Xbox One days.
Xbox rolls out a new feature on Xbox Insider that fans have requested for over a decade
Gaming Voice chat in gameplay captures, new methods to view achievements, more control over cloud save data, and a bigger Xbox wishlist capacity have rolled out for Xbox, some of which are available only for Xbox Insiders
Xbox 'Platinum' completion achievements are coming "later this year"
Xbox Xbox CEO Asha Sharma just confirmed that the team is working on "Platinum"-style achievement completion recognition, slated for later this year.
Which is your favorite limited edition Xbox console of all time?
Xbox Xbox is turning 25, and through the years we've been treated to a heap of incredible special edition consoles. But which is your favorite?
"A pretty cool part of the Xbox ecosystem," Larian on 'Baldur's Gate 3' hitting Play Anywhere
Xbox Xbox Play Anywhere is one of my favorite features of the Xbox ecosystem, and August through to September might represent something of a watershed moment for it.
Gears of War: E-Day's multiplayer is coming to Game Pass this month
Xbox The early access beta test for Gears of War: E-Day's multiplayer, Grounded 2, Powerwash Simulator, and more joins Xbox Game Pass for August 2026's first wave of new additions.
Train Sim World 6 has reached the end of the line on Xbox One
Xbox Dovetail Games has revealed an update on the future of Train Sim World 6 on Xbox One and PS4, and it's unfortunately reached the end of the line.
Why you have to use this Game Bar widget with the Xbox App on Windows 11
Gaming The Xbox App on Windows 11 is a pretty good launcher for all your PC games these days, but you really need this Game Bar widget to make it look pretty.
