In just a few days, Microsoft hits the big five-oh — a monumental achievement for the tech giant out of Redmond. It’s a milestone that’s nudged us here at Windows Central to reminisce about the highs and lows the company has seen over the years.
Among its most significant endeavors is the Xbox brand, which burst onto the scene with a fresh console announcement at the dawn of the century. Even today, Xbox stands strong with cutting-edge systems, popular services, and bold initiatives. Xbox has cemented itself as a cornerstone of Microsoft’s empire, and it seems fitting to take a nostalgic stroll back through seven standout moments in its history (listed in chronological order, of course).
So, let’s dive into some of the most iconic, memorable, and industry-changing moments in Xbox’s journey that have left fans with fantastic features and experiences.
The Reveal of Xbox
What better place to kick off than the beginning? After Microsoft first signaled its plan to venture into the console market in 2000, co-founder Bill Gates took the stage at the 2001 CES to reveal the original Xbox. Gates wasn’t flying solo on this one; he was joined by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who was a wrestling superstar in the WWF back then. Their lively exchange was a memorable part of the presentation.
"The Xbox is everything The Rock is: cutting edge, powerful, exhilarating — and like The Rock, it will be the most electrifying thing coming out this year," said Johnson, showing the charisma that eventually catapulted him into a successful film career. He compared Xbox’s upcoming impact on gaming to his own meteoric rise in sports entertainment, setting expectations sky-high.
At the time, I was too young to witness this legendary reveal in real-time, but as a dedicated Xbox enthusiast, it’s a memory I often revisit.
Halo’s Revolutionary Impact
The Xbox boasted superior performance compared to its rivals like Sony’s PlayStation 2, but that potential wasn’t evident until later in 2002. What Microsoft needed was a killer launch game, and that came in the form of Halo: Combat Evolved — a first-person shooter developed by Bungie, known then for its Marathon series.
Released on November 15, 2001, alongside the Xbox, Halo quickly became a sensation among critics and gamers alike and remains one of the most innovative shooters in gaming history. With its sprawling levels, strategic two-weapon limit, intuitive controls, and advanced enemy AI, Halo didn’t just redefine console shooters but also set a new standard for the genre.
Halo continued to be a flagship title for Xbox, with subsequent hits like Halo 2 propelling Xbox Live into the spotlight and later entries like Halo 3 and Halo: Reach thriving on the Xbox 360. While it might not hold the same title today, Halo will always symbolize the Xbox brand for me.
Xbox Live Defined the Console Multiplayer Experience
Exactly a year after Xbox launched with Halo: Combat Evolved, Microsoft rolled out Xbox Live, bringing online play to the console world. While other attempts were made before (looking at you, Sega and Nintendo), Live was the blueprint that shaped modern multiplayer networks.
Before Xbox Live, multiplayer experiences on consoles were fragmented, handled by individual games. Xbox Live unified these into one seamless service, complete with persistent player handles and central friend lists, making multiplayer games far more accessible. Microsoft even bundled in headsets with Xbox purchases for easy voice chat.
Live gave Microsoft a leading edge in online gaming against competitors, buoyed by flagship titles like Rainbow Six 3 and Halo 2. Today, rebranded as the "Xbox network," it’s still an integral part of Xbox.
Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Was a Huge Win
Jumping to 2015, the Xbox brand found itself in a less favorable position after the lackluster launch of the Xbox One in 2013. It was pricier than Sony’s PlayStation 4 due to the bundled Kinect sensor, yet offered less power. Decoupling the Kinect helped reduce costs, but something more was needed to regain favor. Enter Xbox One Backwards Compatibility.
Introduced by Xbox head Phil Spencer at E3 2015, this feature allowed Xbox One to play Xbox 360 games via emulation, expanding to include a vast library including original Xbox titles. It was a game-changer for the console’s appeal, providing access to thousands of past-gen games on a modern console.
Compared to rivals like Nintendo and PlayStation, which often eschew backwards compatibility or charge again for old games, Xbox’s inclusivity stands out, creating goodwill with long-time players.
Xbox Game Pass Changed Everything
No conversation about Xbox’s recent triumphs would be complete without Xbox Game Pass. Launched in June 2017, it reshaped the gaming landscape. For a monthly fee, players could access a huge catalog of games, including flagship titles, instantly.
Over time, the service expanded rapidly. Microsoft committed to releasing all new first-party games on Game Pass the day they launched, starting with Sea of Thieves in 2018. Later, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundled Xbox Live Gold, offering even more value. As Xbox and PC Game Pass became available, subscribers got access to a gaming library across platforms.
Despite ongoing questions about its profitability, Xbox Game Pass continues to thrive. Recently, it hit 34 million subscribers, testament to its appeal as "the best deal in gaming."
The Wonderful Xbox Adaptive Controller
A year after Game Pass launched, Xbox took a pioneering step in gaming accessibility with the Adaptive Controller. Designed with input from accessibility experts, it was built to cater to gamers with varied needs. It turned a fresh page in Microsoft’s commitment to inclusive gaming, offering customizable setups to accommodate a range of physical challenges.
Boasting two large programmable buttons and an outstanding number of input jacks, the Adaptive Controller adapts to the user’s needs. It has inspired similar efforts in the industry and remains a beacon of inclusive design.
The Activision Blizzard Acquisition
Wrapping up this journey, it’s hard to ignore Microsoft’s massive acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, finalized in October 2023. The $69 billion deal marked one of the most significant transactions in the gaming world, giving Microsoft control over blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
This acquisition promises to bring past and future Activision Blizzard titles into Xbox Game Pass. It also opens up avenues for exclusive releases, although new games might still appear on other platforms for maximum reach, much like the Call of Duty series.
The acquisition was also seen as a potential boon for Activision Blizzard employees amid past controversies over workplace culture. Under Microsoft, there’s hope for a transformation toward a healthier work environment. Though it’s early days since the acquisition, the implications for Xbox’s future are profound.
