- The Xbox One was Microsoft’s third gaming console, and it turns 10 today.
- This console was advertised as an all-purpose media device, enabling gaming, streaming, and more.
- Microsoft sold 58 million units of the console during its lifespan because of a poor start.
10 years ago, Microsoft was gearing up to release a new console for the industry. Following the success of the Xbox 360, the Xbox brand had a mass appeal behind it, and millions were anticipating the release of the Xbox One.
Microsoft envisioned an all-in-one media device as its new offering, bringing more than just a gaming console for its fans. After a somewhat disappointing reveal, this console finally joined the industry on 22 November, and it turns 10 today.
Why it matters: Like the Xbox 360, the Xbox One was a turning point for Microsoft’s gaming business. However, it was initially met with a lot of outrage and disappointment.
Microsoft’s main goal with the Xbox One was to ensure users needed one box or device for streaming, television, and gaming. This was also the inspiration for the name ‘Xbox One.’
However, unclear messaging from Microsoft and a tone-deaf approach to the launch meant that this console could not live up to its predecessor’s success. From the beginning, Microsoft made it clear that the Xbox One was meant to stay online at all times.
Don Mattrick from Microsoft advised users who were not ready to make this transition to stick to the Xbox 360. This did not sit well with audiences, who thought Microsoft had become arrogant after becoming popular.
Other measures like a forced DRM and the Kinect bundle priced at $500 meant that the PS4, which launched just a few days earlier, had an inherent advantage over the Xbox One from the beginning.
However, despite its weaknesses, the Xbox One was not without its positives. It had an impressive launch lineup consisting of exclusives like Killer Instinct, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse Son of Rome, and Dead Rising 3.
In the next few years, Microsoft eventually backtracked on controversial decisions like the DRM policy, always-online requirement, and the necessary Kinect purchase. This made it a much better console.
Its mid-gen refresh, the Xbox One X, also became the world’s most powerful in 2017, running games like Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K 30 FPS.
This generation taught Microsoft many important lessons and encouraged it to move away from a traditional console model.
Xbox Game Pass was introduced during this console’s lifespan, as Microsoft struggled to compete with PlayStation’s last-generation hardware. Policies like PC releases for first-party titles were also established in the same generation.
Overall, the Xbox One sold 58 million units. However, its failure has put Microsoft in a much better position today.
The Xbox Series S|X have produced various first-party games this year, and Game Pass has reached millions of subscribers across PC and Xbox. Microsoft’s new console is also more powerful than its rival’s, shining in intensive games like Alan Wake 2.
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