Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft.

It serves as the successor to the original Xbox. This system belongs to the seventh generation of video game consoles. During its era, it competed primarily with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. The console is significant because it helped transform gaming machines into multimedia hubs. It shifted the focus from just playing games to managing living-room entertainment. This change allowed the console to act as a center for digital media.

Central to the experience is the Xbox Live online service. This service provides several different digital functions for the user. It allows players to connect with others for multiplayer gaming. Users can also use Xbox Live Arcade to download specific games and demos. The system includes portals like Xbox Music and Xbox Video for streaming content. These portals allow users to purchase and watch music, television, and films. Additionally, the console can stream media directly from local personal computers. This connectivity turned the device into a versatile computing entertainment tool.

To expand its capabilities, Microsoft released several specialized peripherals. These tools allow the console to interact with the physical world in new ways. Standard wireless controllers are used for traditional gameplay. Users can also add expanded hard drive storage to save more data. A major innovation was the Kinect, a motion-sensing camera.

The Kinect captures body movements to control the system. This device became the fastest-selling consumer electronic device in history. Other accessories, such as the Chatpad, allow for easier typing and communication.

The development of the Xbox 360 began in early 2003. Engineers used many different code names during this period. These names included Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS, and NextBox. In February 2003, Microsoft began planning the Xenon software platform. This project was led by J. Allard, a Vice President at Microsoft. To build support, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in Bellevue, Washington. In August 2003, the company ATI signed a deal to produce the graphics processing unit. The system eventually utilized an IBM Xenon processor. This processor used a modified version of the architecture found in the PlayStation 3's Cell Processor.

Microsoft officially unveiled the console in May 2005. The global launch occurred in stages throughout late 2005 and 2006. It arrived in the United States and Canada on November 22, 2005. The European launch followed on December 2, 2005. Japan received the console on December 10, 2005. In its first year, the system launched in 36 different countries. This was a record for any console launching in a single year. However, the initial launch faced some supply challenges. Many regions, including North America and Europe, experienced short supplies of the hardware.

The early history of the console included a notable hardware issue. Some of the first versions suffered from a high failure rate. This problem was known as the "Red Ring of Death."

This term described a specific error indicated by lights on the device. Because of these failures, Microsoft had to extend the warranty period for the console. To address hardware needs, Microsoft released redesigned models over time. The Xbox 360 S was released in 2010. Later, the Xbox 360 E was released in 2013.

The Xbox 360 was a massive commercial success for Microsoft. It is the highest-selling console made by an American company. Worldwide, the system sold approximately 84 million units. In the United States, lifetime sales reached 42.7 million units. The console held the position of the best-selling system in the US for 32 consecutive months. It also became the best-selling seventh-generation console in the UK. While it was not the best-selling console of its generation globally, it was highly influential. Experts noted its impact on digital media distribution and online gaming communities. The system's successor, the Xbox One, was released on November 22, 2013.