Xbox, a prominent video gaming brand owned by Microsoft, encompasses five generations of home consoles, a diverse library of games, and a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This includes the cloud-based gaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, the online multiplayer platform Xbox network, and the subscription service Xbox Game Pass. Xbox, as a division of Microsoft Gaming, represents a significant player in the gaming industry.
1996: End of Atari Jaguar Sales
The Atari Jaguar was discontinued in 1996, leaving a gap in the market that the original Xbox would later fill.
1996: End of Atari Jaguar Sales
The Atari Jaguar, the last gaming console released by an American company before the original Xbox, was discontinued in 1996.
1999: Sony Announces PlayStation 2
Sony Computer Entertainment announced the PlayStation 2 in 1999, positioning it as a central hub for home entertainment with its ability to play games, audio CDs, and video DVDs.
November 2001: Xbox Launch
In November 2001, Microsoft entered the gaming console market with the release of the original Xbox in the United States.
November 15, 2001: Original Xbox Launch in North America
On November 15, 2001, the original Xbox was released in North America, marking Microsoft's official entry into the gaming console market.
2001: Original Xbox Controller Released
The year 2001 saw the release of the first Xbox controller, nicknamed "Fatty" or "Duke," featuring a bulky design, two analog sticks, and a pressure-sensitive D-pad, which was later replaced with a smaller, more ergonomic "Controller S."
February 22, 2002: Original Xbox Launch in Japan
The original Xbox was launched in Japan on February 22, 2002.
March 14, 2002: Original Xbox Launch in Australia and Europe
March 14, 2002, saw the release of the original Xbox in Australia and Europe.
November 15, 2002: Xbox Live Launches Worldwide
Marking a pivotal moment in online gaming, Xbox Live launched globally on November 15, 2002, establishing a unified platform for gamers to connect, compete, and access online content.
November 2002: Xbox Live Launch
In November 2002, Microsoft launched its online gaming service, Xbox Live, allowing players to connect and play games online.
2002: Launch of Xbox Live and the Xbox Communicator Headset
The year 2002 marked the launch of Xbox Live online service, bundled with the Xbox Communicator headset. This headset, included in the Live Starter Kit, enabled in-game voice chat and connected to the controller, featuring a mute button and volume control.
November 2004: Halo 2 Release
Halo 2, a landmark title for the original Xbox, was released in November 2004 and quickly gained immense popularity, becoming a defining game for the console.
May 12, 2005: Xbox 360 Unveiling
The Xbox 360 was unveiled to the public on MTV on May 12, 2005.
November 2005: Xbox 360 Launch
November 2005 marked the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft's successor to the original Xbox.
November 2005: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Release
November 2005 saw the release of the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset alongside the Xbox 360 console. This first-party headset was designed specifically for the console and later saw special editions themed around games like Halo 3 and Halo: Reach.
2005: Xbox 360 Controller Released
Building upon its predecessor's success, the Xbox 360 controller debuted in 2005, featuring a refined design, improved ergonomics, and a dedicated "Guide" button for system navigation and Xbox Live access.
2005: Xbox 360 Launch
The Xbox 360, Microsoft's second gaming console, was released in 2005.
May 2006: Original Xbox Sales Milestone
By May 2006, the original Xbox console had achieved sales exceeding 24 million units.
September 2007: Halo 3 Special Edition Headset Release
A special edition of the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with a green and orange color scheme was released in September 2007 to coincide with the launch of Halo 3.
September 2010: Halo: Reach Special Edition Headset and Xbox 360 S Headset Release
September 2010 saw the release of two Xbox 360 Wireless Headset variations. One was a silver special edition themed after Halo: Reach, and the other featured a black design to match the Xbox 360 S.
November 4, 2010: Kinect Launches in North America
Kinect, Microsoft's motion-sensing input device, made its debut in North America on November 4, 2010, introducing a new way to interact with the Xbox 360 console without the need for traditional controllers.
November 10, 2010: Kinect Launches in Europe
Following its North American debut, Kinect became available in Europe on November 10, 2010, expanding its reach and introducing a broader audience to motion-controlled gaming.
November 18, 2010: Kinect Launches in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore
Expanding its global presence, Kinect launched in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore on November 18, 2010, offering gamers in those regions a new way to experience and interact with video games.
November 20, 2010: Kinect Launches in Japan
Completing its global rollout, Kinect became available in Japan on November 20, 2010, introducing a significant innovation to the country's vibrant gaming landscape.
2010: Xbox 360 Headset Update
In 2010, Xbox 360 controllers introduced a built-in 2.5mm jack for headsets. An updated Xbox 360 Headset was also released with a black design, bundled with the Xbox 360 S. This updated headset featured inline mute and volume controls on the cable.
2010: Xbox 360 S Launch
The Xbox 360 S, a slimmer and redesigned version of the console, was released in 2010.
June 16, 2011: Kinect SDK Release for Windows 7
On June 16, 2011, Microsoft launched the Kinect software development kit (SDK) for Windows 7, enabling developers to create Kinect applications using programming languages like C++, C#, and Visual Basic .NET.
2011: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth Release
In 2011, Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth, allowing users to connect it to both the console (using Xbox wireless protocol) and their phones (using Bluetooth).
January 2012: Kinect Sales Milestone
In January 2012, the Kinect reached a significant sales milestone, having shipped 24 million units since its launch. This achievement also earned it the Guinness World Record for the "fastest selling consumer electronics device."
February 1, 2012: Kinect for Windows Released
Expanding beyond the Xbox console, Microsoft released Kinect for Windows on February 1, 2012, bringing motion-sensing technology and gesture recognition to PC users, opening up new possibilities for interaction and development.
October 26, 2012: Xbox Companion App Released for Windows 8 and Mobile Devices
Coinciding with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft launched the Xbox companion app on October 26, 2012, enabling users to seamlessly integrate their gaming experiences with their Windows 8 PCs and mobile devices.
2012: Xbox as a Digital Media Brand
In 2012, Microsoft decided to replace its Zune brand with Xbox, expanding its reach beyond gaming to encompass digital media entertainment.
May 2013: Xbox Wire News Blog Launched
Microsoft established Xbox Wire in May 2013 as the official news platform for all things Xbox, offering insights, updates, and announcements directly from the company.
May 21, 2013: Xbox One Announcement
Microsoft announced the Xbox One on May 21, 2013, emphasizing its internet-based features, including gameplay recording and streaming, as well as its integration with set-top boxes for cable and satellite TV.
June 6, 2013: Xbox One Kinect Update
On June 6, 2013, Microsoft released additional information regarding the Xbox One Kinect. Notably, this update clarified how users could disable the "always on" feature, which had sparked privacy concerns.
November 2013: Xbox One Launch
November 2013 marked the release of the Xbox One, Microsoft's third entry in the gaming console market.
November 22, 2013: Xbox One Launch
On November 22, 2013, the Xbox One was officially released, marking Microsoft's entry into the eighth generation of video game consoles.
2013: Launch of Xbox One and Xbox One Chat Headset
The Xbox One console launched in 2013, bundled with the Xbox One Chat Headset. This wired headset connected to the controller's expansion port and included mute and volume control functionalities.
2013: Xbox 360 E Launch
Microsoft released the Xbox 360 E, another revision of the Xbox 360, in 2013.
March 2014: Phil Spencer Becomes Head of Xbox
Phil Spencer took on the role of Head of Xbox in late March 2014, succeeding Marc Whitten.
March 2014: Xbox One Stereo Headset and Adapter Release
March 2014 marked the release of the Xbox One Stereo Headset and Stereo Headset Adapter, enabling players to hear in-game audio combined with chat audio. This marked a departure from previous Xbox headsets, which only supported voice chat.
June 2014: Xbox 360 Sales Milestone
By June 2014, the Xbox 360 had achieved impressive sales figures, with over 84 million units sold worldwide.
November 2014: Microsoft Stops Reporting Xbox One Sales Figures
In November 2014, Microsoft announced they would no longer publicly disclose Xbox One sales numbers, shifting their focus to developer engagement and ecosystem growth rather than console sales.
June 2015: Xbox One Gains Backwards Compatibility with Xbox 360 Titles
In June 2015, Microsoft introduced backwards compatibility for select Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One console, expanding the game library and enhancing the console's value proposition.
2015: Shift Away from Digital Media Branding
Microsoft discontinued the use of Xbox as its digital media entertainment brand in 2015, marking a return to its primary focus on gaming.
2016: White Xbox One Stereo Headset Release and Controller Revision
In 2016, Microsoft released a white special edition of the Xbox One Stereo Headset. Additionally, the Xbox One controller (Model 1697) replaced the 2.5mm jack with a 3.5mm jack in a design revision.
June 1, 2017: Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service Launches
Revolutionizing game access and affordability, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Game Pass on June 1, 2017, a subscription-based service that provides users with a rotating catalog of games for a fixed monthly fee.
June 2019: Microsoft Studios Renamed Xbox Game Studios
Reflecting a strategic shift towards a broader video game brand, Microsoft Studios was renamed Xbox Game Studios in June 2019.
July 2019: Xbox Live Surpasses 65 Million Users
By July 2019, Xbox Live, Microsoft's online gaming service, achieved a milestone by surpassing 65 million active users, highlighting its widespread adoption and engagement.
2019: Microsoft Implements Content Filtering to Combat Toxicity in Online Gaming
In a bid to foster a safer and more inclusive gaming environment, Microsoft introduced content filtering in 2019, empowering players to report and curb toxic behavior within their online gaming communities.
February 2020: Shifting Focus to Cloud Gaming and Services
In February 2020, Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, indicated that Microsoft sees cloud computing services like Amazon and Google as their primary competitors, not traditional gaming companies. They are prioritizing games, subscriptions, and services powered by Microsoft Azure.
May 2020: Xbox Introduces Parental Control App
Prioritizing responsible gaming and parental control, Microsoft released a dedicated app in May 2020, providing parents with tools to manage their children's gaming habits, set limits, and monitor their online interactions.
November 2020: Xbox Series X and Series S Launch
In November 2020, Microsoft released its fourth generation of Xbox consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S.
February 2021: New Xbox Wireless Headset Release
February 2021 marked the release of a new Xbox Wireless Headset designed for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows computers. It featured rotary controls on the earcups for volume and game/chat mix and supported both Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connections simultaneously.
August 2021: Xbox Stereo Headset Release
In August 2021, Microsoft introduced the Xbox Stereo Headset, a budget-friendly option compared to the Xbox Wireless Headset. It featured a standard 3.5mm plug and omitted the wireless functionalities and the game/chat mix control.
October 2021: Xbox 360 Sales Milestone
As of October 2021, the Xbox 360 had sold over 86 million units, solidifying its position as a highly successful gaming console.
November 15, 2021: Xbox 20th Anniversary Celebration and Documentary Announcement
Microsoft celebrated the Xbox's 20th anniversary with a special livestream on November 15, 2021. During the event, they revealed "Power On: The Story of Xbox," a six-part documentary chronicling the history of the Xbox.
December 13, 2021: "Power On: The Story of Xbox" Documentary Release
"Power On: The Story of Xbox," a six-part documentary delving into the history of the Xbox, was released on December 13, 2021, following its announcement at the Xbox's 20th anniversary celebration. The documentary went on to win a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Camera Editing.
March 2022: Xbox Wire Launches Japanese Version
Expanding its global reach and engagement, Xbox Wire launched a dedicated Japanese version in March 2022, catering to the passionate gaming community in Japan.
2022: Formation of Microsoft Gaming
Microsoft created a new division called Microsoft Gaming in 2022, with Xbox becoming a key part of this expanded gaming focus.
July 2023: Microsoft Reveals Xbox One Sales Figures
After nearly a decade, Microsoft revealed in July 2023 that the Xbox One console line sold over 58 million units, offering a glimpse into the console's performance.
February 2024: Microsoft Reaffirms Commitment to Xbox Consoles Amidst Rumors
Addressing speculations about discontinuing Xbox consoles, Microsoft reiterated its commitment to the platform in February 2024, emphasizing their dedication to prioritize first-party releases on Xbox.