Xbox

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Xbox series X (50648118708)

Xbox Series S with controller

Xbox is a video game console brand created and owned by Microsoft. It represents a series of video game consoles developed by Microsoft, with three consoles released in the sixth, seventh, and eighth generations, respectively. The brand also represents applications (games), streaming services, and an online service by the name of Xbox Live. The brand was first introduced in the United States in November 2001, with the launch of the original Xbox console.

History

The original Xbox was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console market and was launched as a direct competitor to Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube. It was notable for being the first console to have a built-in hard disk drive, used for storing games and game data. The success of the Xbox led to the development of its successor, the Xbox 360, which was introduced in November 2005. The Xbox 360 was highly successful and competed against Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

In May 2013, Microsoft announced the Xbox One, its third generation console, which shifted focus towards multimedia and featured integration with live television programming and voice command capabilities. The Xbox One faced stiff competition from Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Switch, but it carved out a niche for itself with a strong lineup of exclusive games and services like Xbox Game Pass.

In 2020, Microsoft launched the fourth generation of Xbox consoles, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. These consoles emphasized power and performance, including features such as higher frame rates, ray tracing, and faster load times, thanks to their custom SSDs. The Series X is positioned as the more powerful unit, capable of 4K resolution gaming at up to 120 frames per second, while the Series S is a smaller, less expensive option with lower graphical power but still capable of next-generation gaming experiences.

Xbox Live

Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft. It was first made available to the Xbox system in November 2002. An updated version of the service became available for the Xbox 360 console at the system's launch in November 2005, and a further enhanced version was released in 2013 with the Xbox One. Xbox Live allows players to connect and compete online, download games and demos, and purchase and stream music, TV shows, and films.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service for video games available for Xbox consoles, Windows 10, and Android devices via cloud gaming. Launched in June 2017, it grants users access to a rotating catalog of games from a range of publishers and other premium services, including Xbox Live Gold.

Reception and Legacy

The Xbox brand has been well-received worldwide, contributing significantly to the video game industry. Its emphasis on online gaming, multimedia capabilities, and strong game library have helped it to compete effectively with other major console brands. The Xbox has also been praised for its controller design, online gaming ecosystem, and commitment to backward compatibility, allowing newer Xbox consoles to play games from previous generations.