Microsoft Pulls Plug on Xbox 360 Store as Focus Shifts

[Edited] In a move to focus on its latest consoles and subscription service Game Pass, Microsoft has announced that it will be shutting down the online store and marketplace for the Xbox 360 next year.

Credits: Reuters

According to a post on Xbox's website, the Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace will be closed on July 29, 2024. This means that gamers using the old console will no longer be able to purchase and download new games.

However, Microsoft has assured users that they will still be able to play their previously purchased Xbox 360 games and older titles that are compatible with the console. The company acknowledges the changes that have taken place since the Xbox 360's launch in 2005, stating, "Technology has evolved, expectations from players have shifted, and we are focused on making Xbox Series X|S the best place to play now and in the future."

The production of the Xbox 360 was discontinued by Microsoft in 2016, and a year later, the company introduced Xbox Game Pass, a subscription gaming service accessible on consoles and Windows platforms. As part of this latest move, the Movies & TV app on the older console will also be removed.

The Xbox 360 is widely regarded as one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time, competing closely with Sony's PlayStation 3. Microsoft reported selling approximately 84 million units of the Xbox 360 until 2014 when it stopped reporting sales due to the launch of its successor, the Xbox One.

This decision by Microsoft reflects the company's commitment to focusing on its newer consoles and services, providing an enhanced gaming experience for its users. While the closure of the Xbox 360's online store may disappoint some gamers, it is a necessary step to align with the evolving technology and meet the changing expectations of players.

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• Microsoft has announced the closure of the Xbox 360's online store and marketplace next year.

• Gamers using the Xbox 360 will no longer be able to purchase and download new games.

• Previously purchased Xbox 360 games and compatible older titles can still be played.

• The closure is part of Microsoft's focus on its latest consoles and subscription service Game Pass.

Source: Reuters