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
Xbox CEO teases new Discord plans tied to Game Pass
XBOX Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hints at a renewed Discord partnership, with talk of Game Pass flexibility raising questions about future bundles, perks, and more.
Inside Double Fine’s handcrafted vision for KILN
XBOX A new developer interview reveals how Double Fine shaped Kiln’s gameplay, detailing its origins, long development cycle, and the design decisions behind its unique collision system.
Xbox is cleaning house for next-gen, and social clubs were just in the way
Xbox Xbox has removed Social Clubs, prompting questions about the future of its social features. I'm exploring what could be next, and whether Xbox is moving away from its social roots.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma might've just killed the Xbox Mobile Store
Xbox Previously announced for launch in July 2024, the ill-fated Xbox Mobile Store seems to be dead, with all test URLs relating to it now hitting a 404 error.
After 28 years, Microsoft legend, former Halo exec and Xbox Film/TV lead Kiki Wolfkill has left the company
Xbox Kiki Wolfkill spent almost three decades leading various initiatives across the Xbox platform, from art leadership, to transmedia initiatives, and video game production.
Baldur's Gate 3 director reacts to Xbox Game Pass removing Call of Duty from day one access
Xbox Due to Microsoft's new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price drop, Call of Duty games won't come to it day one anymore — something that may benefit the series.
Former Xbox director Larry Hryb 'Major Nelson' may be teasing interest to rejoin the brand
Xbox Microsoft recently opened up a new Xbox brand senior manager position, and a comment from ex-director Major Nelson has many wondering if he's going for it.
Xbox Game Pass price gets a MASSIVE price cut — Call of Duty 2026 will NOT be included
Xbox After last year's wildly unpopular 50% price hike, Microsoft has reverted a ton of it. Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft Classics will remain, previous Call of Duty games will too, but this year's will be a retail-only affair. What's going on?
