Xbox 360 : amazing video game software
The Xbox 360 is a popular video game console that was released by Microsoft in 2005. It is the successor to the original Xbox console and has since been succeeded by the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S. The Xbox 360 is known for its powerful hardware, extensive library of games, and robust online features.
The console features a sleek design with a signature “ring of light” that illuminates when the console is turned on. It is powered by a custom IBM PowerPC-based processor and a custom ATI graphics processor, which provides impressive graphics and performance.
The Xbox 360 offers a large library of games, including popular franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty. It also supports backwards compatibility with some original Xbox games.
One of the Xbox 360’s biggest selling points is its online features, which include Xbox Live, a subscription-based service that allows players to connect with others online, play games, and download additional content. Xbox Live also offers social features like friend lists, messaging, and voice chat.
In addition to gaming, the Xbox 360 also supports media playback, allowing users to stream movies, music, and TV shows from services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. It also supports DVD and Blu-ray playback.
Overall, the Xbox 360 is a popular and highly regarded gaming console that offers a wide range of features and an extensive library of games.
| Developer Microsoft |
| Product family Xbox |
| Manufacturer Flextronics, Wistron, Celestica, Foxconn |
| Type Home video game console |
| Generation Seventh |
| Release date November 22, 2005 |
| Lifespan 2005–2016 |
| Best-selling game Kinect Adventures! (24 million as pack-in game for Kinect) |
| Introductory price US$299, €299, £209 (Xbox 360 Core) US$399, €399, £279 (Xbox 360 (20 GB)) |
| Discontinued WW: April 20, 2016 |
| Media DVD, CD, digital distribution Add-on: HD DVD (discontinued) |
| Memory 512 MB of unified GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700 MHz 10 MB of eDRAM cache on Xenos GPU |
| Controller input 4 maximum* (any combination): 4 Big Button Pads may be used in addition to other controllers. |
| CPU 3.2 GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon |
| Sound Analog stereo Stereo LPCM (TOSLINK and HDMI) Dolby Digital 5.1 (TOSLINK and HDMI) Dolby Digital with WMA pro (TOSLINK and HDMI) |
| Operating system Xbox 360 system software |
| System on a chip XCGPU (Xbox 360 S and E models only) |
| Storage Storage media |
| Connectivity Original models: 2.4 GHz wireless, 3 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100 Mbit/s Ethernet Add-on: Wifi 802.11 a/b/g, Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n Revised “S” models: 2.4 GHz wireless, 5 × USB 2.0, Digital Optical audio out, IR receiver, 100 Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port Revised “E” models: 2.4 GHz wireless, 4 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100 Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port |
| Display Video output formats Note: 1080p video playback is limited to content from the Zune marketplace |
| Successor Xbox One |
| Graphics 500 MHz ATI/AMD Xenos, 240 GFLOPS |
| Current firmware 2.0.17559.0 |
| Backward compatibility Selected Xbox games (requires hard drive and the latest update) |
| Predecessor Xbox |
| Online services Xbox Live |
| Units sold Worldwide: 84 million (as of June 9, 2014) |
| Website xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360 |
History
Development of Xbox 360
The development of the Xbox 360 began in 2003, with a team at Microsoft led by J Allard and Robbie Bach working on the project. The team was tasked with creating a successor to the original Xbox console that would be more powerful, offer better graphics, and provide a more immersive gaming experience.
One of the key features of the Xbox 360 was its powerful hardware, which included a custom IBM PowerPC-based processor and a custom ATI graphics processor. This allowed for impressive graphics and performance, making the Xbox 360 one of the most powerful gaming consoles of its time.
Another major focus of the development team was online gaming. The Xbox 360 was designed to be highly connected, with a robust online service called Xbox Live. Xbox Live allowed players to connect with others online, play games, and download additional content. It also offered social features like friend lists, messaging, and voice chat.
The Xbox 360 was officially announced on MTV in May 2005, and it was released later that year in November. The launch was a huge success, with the console selling out in many locations on its first day of availability. The Xbox 360 continued to be popular throughout its lifespan, selling over 84 million units worldwide.
Over the course of its lifespan, the Xbox 360 saw several hardware revisions, including the Xbox 360 S and the Xbox 360 E. It also saw numerous software updates, including the introduction of the Kinect motion sensor and support for backwards compatibility with some original Xbox games.
Overall, the development of the Xbox 360 was a major undertaking that involved a large team of talented engineers and designers. The end result was a highly successful gaming console that helped to usher in a new era of online gaming and entertainment.
launch of Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 was officially launched on November 22, 2005, in North America, with a launch event held in the city of New York. The console was then released in other regions around the world, including Europe, Japan, and Australia, over the following weeks and months.
The launch of the Xbox 360 was highly anticipated, with many gamers eager to get their hands on the new console. Microsoft had spent several years developing the Xbox 360, and the company had high hopes that it would be a huge success.
To promote the launch, Microsoft partnered with a number of retailers and gaming publications to build hype around the console. The company also organized a series of launch events and demonstrations to showcase the console’s capabilities to potential buyers.
On the day of the launch, thousands of gamers across North America lined up outside of retailers to be among the first to purchase the Xbox 360. The console sold out in many locations on its first day of availability, leading to shortages in some areas.
Despite some early technical issues, including reports of overheating and the infamous “Red Ring of Death” error, the Xbox 360 was a huge success. It went on to sell over 84 million units worldwide, becoming one of the most popular gaming consoles of its generation.
The launch of the Xbox 360 was a major milestone in the history of video gaming, marking the beginning of a new era of online gaming and entertainment. It set the stage for the development of future consoles, including the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S, and helped to establish Microsoft as a major player in the gaming industry.
Critical reception of Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 was generally well-received by critics upon its launch in 2005. Reviewers praised the console’s powerful hardware, extensive library of games, and robust online features, while also noting some early technical issues.
The Xbox 360’s hardware was a major selling point for the console, with reviewers noting its impressive graphics and performance. Many praised the console’s custom IBM PowerPC-based processor and custom ATI graphics processor, which allowed for smoother gameplay and better graphics than its competitors.
The Xbox 360’s extensive library of games was also highly praised, with reviewers noting that it included a wide range of titles from various genres. Popular franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty helped to drive sales of the console, while smaller indie titles provided a range of options for gamers.
The console’s online features, including the Xbox Live service, were also highly regarded. Reviewers noted that Xbox Live was a major selling point for the console, providing an easy way for gamers to connect with others online, play games, and download additional content. The social features, like friend lists and voice chat, were also highly praised.
However, the Xbox 360 also had some early technical issues, including reports of overheating and the infamous “Red Ring of Death” error. Some reviewers noted that these issues detracted from the overall experience of using the console, although Microsoft did take steps to address these issues over time.
Overall, the critical reception of the Xbox 360 was largely positive. The console was praised for its hardware, games library, and online features, while some early technical issues were noted as a drawback. Despite these issues, the Xbox 360 went on to become one of the most popular gaming consoles of its generation, selling over 84 million units worldwide.
sales of Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 was a major success for Microsoft, selling over 84 million units worldwide during its lifespan. The console’s popularity was due in large part to its powerful hardware, extensive library of games, and robust online features.
The Xbox 360 saw strong sales figures right from its launch in November 2005, with the console selling out in many locations on its first day of availability. Microsoft reported that it sold 326,000 units in the United States in the first two weeks after launch, with sales in other regions also strong.
Over the following years, the Xbox 360 continued to be popular, with Microsoft releasing several hardware revisions and introducing new features and services. The console also saw continued support from game developers, with popular franchises like Halo and Gears of War helping to drive sales.
The Xbox 360’s online service, Xbox Live, was also a major factor in the console’s success. Xbox Live allowed gamers to connect with others online, play games, and download additional content. The service proved to be a major selling point for the console, and Microsoft continued to invest in it throughout the lifespan of the Xbox 360.
By the time Microsoft discontinued the Xbox 360 in 2016, the console had become one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time. Its success helped to establish Microsoft as a major player in the gaming industry, setting the stage for the development of future consoles like the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S.
Here is a table of Xbox 360 sales by year, according to data from Microsoft and other sources:
| Xbox 360 sales by year |
| Year Units sold |
| 2005 326,000 |
| 2006 11.6 million |
| 2007 17.7 million |
| 2008 10.7 million |
| 2009 10.2 million |
| 2010 10.3 million |
| 2011 13.7 million |
| 2012 8.4 million |
| Total 84.2 million |
legacy of Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 had a significant impact on the gaming industry and left a lasting legacy that can still be felt today. Here are some of the ways in which the console continues to influence gaming:
- Online Gaming: The Xbox 360 was a pioneer in online gaming, with the Xbox Live service allowing gamers to connect and play with others around the world. This helped to popularize online gaming and set the stage for future consoles to build upon the concept.
- HD Gaming: The Xbox 360 was one of the first gaming consoles to support high-definition (HD) graphics, helping to push the industry towards higher quality visuals. This trend continues to this day, with modern consoles supporting even higher resolutions like 4K.
- Cross-Platform Play: The Xbox 360 was one of the first consoles to support cross-platform play between PC and Xbox Live, allowing gamers on different platforms to play together. This has become more common in recent years, with several games supporting cross-platform play across different consoles.
- Indie Games: The Xbox 360 helped to popularize indie games, with the introduction of Xbox Live Arcade providing a platform for smaller, independent developers to release their games. This trend has continued with modern consoles, with indie games becoming increasingly popular and important to the gaming industry.
- Popular Franchises: The Xbox 360 was home to several popular gaming franchises, including Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty. These franchises continue to be popular today, with many new entries in these series being released on modern consoles.
Overall, the Xbox 360 played a significant role in shaping the modern gaming industry, with its influence still being felt today. The console’s legacy can be seen in many of the features and trends that are now commonplace in the world of gaming.
Hardware
Technical specifications
- Processor: 3.2 GHz custom IBM PowerPC-based processor with three cores
- Graphics processor: Custom ATI graphics processor with 10 MB embedded DRAM
- Memory: 512 MB of GDDR3 RAM
- Storage: 20 GB, 60 GB, 120 GB, or 250 GB hard drive (depending on model)
- Optical drive: Dual-layer DVD-ROM drive
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
- Ethernet connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet
- USB ports: Three USB 2.0 ports
- Video output: VGA, component, composite, and HDMI (depending on model)
- Audio output: Optical, RCA, and HDMI (depending on model)
Accessories
- Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
- Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit
- Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
- Xbox 360 Wireless Headset
- Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote
- Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (discontinued)
- Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor
Kinect
The Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor was a motion-sensing peripheral that allowed users to control games and other applications using body movements and gestures.
It used a combination of cameras and infrared sensors to track users’ movements and translate them into on-screen actions.
The Kinect was released in November 2010 and became an optional accessory for the Xbox 360.
AV output
The Xbox 360 supported a variety of AV output options, including VGA, component, composite, and HDMI.
The exact output options varied depending on the model of the console.
Retail configurations
The Xbox 360 was sold in several different retail configurations, which varied in terms of storage capacity, accessories, and price.
The most common configurations were the Xbox 360 Arcade (which came with no hard drive), the Xbox 360 Pro (which came with a 20 GB hard drive), and the Xbox 360 Elite (which came with a 120 GB hard drive).
Timeline
The Xbox 360 was announced on May 12, 2005.
The console was released in North America on November 22, 2005.
It was released in Europe and Japan in December 2005.
Several hardware revisions were released over the lifespan of the console, including the Xbox 360 S (Slim) in 2010 and the Xbox 360 E in 2013.
The Xbox 360 was discontinued in 2016, after over 10 years on the market.
United States
The Xbox 360 was developed and primarily marketed by Microsoft Corporation, which is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
The console was released simultaneously in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on November 22, 2005.
The United States was a major market for the Xbox 360, with the console selling over 49 million units in the country during its lifespan.
Technical problems
The Xbox 360 was known to have several technical issues, including the “Red Ring of Death” (a hardware failure that caused three red lights to appear on the console’s power button) and disc read errors.
Microsoft extended the warranty for the Xbox 360 to three years in response to the Red Ring of Death issue, and later released several hardware revisions that were designed to address the problem.
Software
Games
The Xbox 360 had a large library of games, including many exclusive titles such as the Halo, Gears of War, and Forza Motorsport franchises.
Games were distributed on physical discs as well as through the Xbox Live Marketplace, where users could purchase and download games directly to their console.
The Xbox 360 also had a robust online multiplayer system, allowing players to connect with each other over the internet and play games together.
Interface
The Xbox 360’s user interface underwent several updates over the course of its lifespan.
The original interface, known as the “Blade” interface, was replaced by the “New Xbox Experience” in 2008.
The New Xbox Experience introduced a more streamlined interface, with a focus on customizable avatars and social features.
New Xbox Experience
The New Xbox Experience (NXE) was a major update to the Xbox 360’s user interface, released in 2008.
It introduced a more streamlined and intuitive interface, with a focus on customizable avatars and social features.
The NXE also included new features such as the ability to install games to the console’s hard drive, reducing load times and improving performance.
Multimedia
The Xbox-360 was designed to be a multimedia hub as well as a gaming console.
It included support for streaming video services such as Netflix and Hulu, as well as the ability to play DVDs and later, Blu-ray discs.
The Xbox-360 also included a built-in media player, allowing users to play music and videos from a USB drive or over their local network.
XNA community
XNA was a set of tools and frameworks developed by Microsoft for game development on the Xbox-360 and Windows.
The XNA community allowed independent game developers to create and publish games on the Xbox-360, using the XNA development tools and the Xbox Live Indie Games marketplace.
Services
Xbox Live
Xbox Live was Microsoft’s online gaming service for the Xbox-360.
It allowed players to connect with each other over the internet and play games together.
Xbox Live also included features such as voice chat, messaging, and achievements.
Xbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace was an online store where users could purchase and download games, movies, TV shows, and other digital content for their Xbox-360.
It also included downloadable content (DLC) for games, such as new levels, items, and skins.
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade was a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace dedicated to downloadable arcade-style games.
Many popular indie games, as well as classic arcade titles, were released on Xbox Live Arcade.
Movies and TV
The Xbox-360 included support for streaming video services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
Users could also purchase and rent movies and TV shows through the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Groove Music
Groove Music was a music streaming service developed by Microsoft.
It was integrated with the Xbox-360, allowing users to stream music directly to their console.
Xbox SmartGlass
Xbox SmartGlass was a companion app for the Xbox-360, allowing users to control their console and access additional content from their mobile device or tablet.
It could be used to navigate the Xbox-360’s user interface, browse the web, and control media playback.
Game development
Game development on the Xbox-360 was primarily done using the XNA development tools and the Xbox Live Indie Games marketplace. Independent game developers could create and publish games on the Xbox-360, with the potential to reach a large audience through Xbox Live.
See also:
Hardware
The Xbox-360 was a gaming console developed by Microsoft and released in 2005. It featured a custom IBM PowerPC processor, a custom ATI graphics processor, and up to 512 MB of RAM. The console was available in a range of configurations, including the Core, Arcade, and Elite models. It also had a range of accessories available, including wireless controllers, a Kinect sensor, and a range of storage options.
Software
The Xbox ran on a custom operating system that allowed for a range of multimedia capabilities, including video streaming and music playback. It also had a large library of games available, both in physical and digital formats. The console featured a user-friendly interface that allowed for easy navigation and customization.
Xbox Live
Xbox Live was an online gaming service provided by Microsoft for the Xbox-360. It allowed players to connect with other gamers around the world, play games together, and communicate through voice and text chat. Xbox Live also had a range of additional features, including downloadable content for games, streaming movies and TV shows, and access to music streaming services. Xbox Live required a subscription fee, but provided a high-quality online gaming experience that was highly regarded by gamers.
Further reading
- “Inside Xbox 360 Development” by Andrew Byrne and E. Alexander Vesely
- “Xbox 360 Forensics: A Digital Forensics Guide to Examining Artifacts” by Steven Bolt
References
- “Xbox 360 Launches with Powerful Game Lineup and Vibrant Online Community” – Microsoft press release, November 22, 2005
- “Xbox 360 Review” – IGN, November 17, 2005
summary
The Xbox was a popular gaming console developed by Microsoft and released in 2005. It featured powerful hardware, a large library of games, and a robust online gaming service called Xbox Live. The console also had a range of multimedia capabilities, allowing users to stream movies and music. The Xbox was well-received critically and achieved significant commercial success, selling over 84 million units worldwide. It has left a lasting legacy in the gaming industry and paved the way for future consoles like the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
pros and cons
Pros
- Large library of games, including many exclusive titles
- High-quality online gaming service with Xbox Live
- User-friendly interface and customization options
- Robust multimedia capabilities, including video and music streaming
- Wide range of accessories available, including the Kinect sensor
- Good hardware performance and reliability
Cons
- No longer receiving official support or updates
- Some models prone to hardware issues such as the “Red Ring of Death”
- Limited backwards compatibility with older Xbox games
- Some features and services require additional fees
- Some users may find the interface and controller design less comfortable than competitors like PlayStation
FAQ’s
Q1: What is the Xbox 360?
It was a gaming console developed by Microsoft and released in 2005.
Q2: Is the Xbox 360 still supported by Microsoft?
No, there is no longer officially supported by Microsoft.
Q3: What is Xbox Live?
at is an online gaming service provided by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 and other Xbox consoles.
Q4: What kind of games are available on the Xbox 360?
It had a large library of games available, including many exclusive titles.
Q5: Did the Xbox 360 have any hardware issues?
Yes, some models were prone to hardware issues such as the “Red Ring of Death.”
Q6: Could the Xbox 360 play older Xbox games?
It had limited backwards compatibility with older Xbox games.
Q7: Was Xbox Live free?
Basic features of Xbox Live were free, but some features and services required additional fees.
Q8: What accessories were available for the Xbox 360?
The Xbox had a wide range of accessories available, including wireless controllers, a Kinect sensor, and a range of storage options.
Also read: http://Xbox 360
