A quarter century since the launch of Xbox
Microsoft celebrates the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Xbox console in Seattle, with the release of old games and celebratory features.
Translated by Alqyas from Al-Jarida — Original source
Microsoft’s Xbox console today marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of its first gaming platform, a milestone that marked the American company’s entry into the video game console market and its competition with major players in the industry.
The launch of the device on November 15, 2001, was a turning point in Microsoft’s history, as it entered the home gaming console market for the first time, offering a new device that competed with Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s GameCube.
Microsoft began its journey in this sector with a device named “Xbox,” which was distinguished at the time by advanced technical specifications, most notably its built-in hard drive and an Ethernet internet connectivity port, while competing devices relied on separate memory cards.
The console’s launch was accompanied by several games that later became among the most prominent titles in gaming history, including “Halo: Combat Evolved,” “Dead or Alive 3,” and “Project Gotham Racing,” which helped solidify the platform’s status among gamers.
In 2002, Microsoft launched the Xbox Live online gaming service, which enabled players to communicate and compete with others around the world, contributing to the development of multiplayer gaming experiences on home consoles.
A quarter-century later, the Xbox brand has evolved to include four generations of consoles, alongside digital gaming services and cloud computing, as the company works on developing a fifth generation of its platform.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the company organized special events in Seattle, United States, and announced the availability of 25 original Xbox games on PCs, along with the release of commemorative content and features related to the occasion.
