Since Microsoft released the first generation of Xbox consoles in North America in November 2001, the Xbox brand has been in the past 20 years. When "Microsoft", the IT giant who holds the Windows operating system, announced that it was going to enter the game industry, the industry suddenly set off a huge wave. When bill Gates, the world's richest man, lifted the curtain and Microsoft's original game console Xbox was first displayed in front of players, the audience boiled over.
As an Internet giant, Microsoft can be described as menacing, with a huge amount of money to enter the market quite a "kryptonian player" kind of arrogance. In the field of games that year, Sony firmly occupied the throne of the console market with PS and PS2 two generations of consoles, and Nintendo also survived with the unbreakable supremacy of the handheld field, and Microsoft's entry opened up a new situation in which Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo competed for the three.
So, what exactly has Xbox brought to the gaming industry in those 20 years? Wheat takes you back to its trajectory over the past 20 years.
Evolutionary history
Incoming
In 2001, as a $600 billion Internet giant, Microsoft began to expand into various fields related to the Internet, including the console game business, of course. Microsoft, which was originally a "layman", hoped to enter the game through the relatively simple and rude way of "acquisition", after all, they did not lack money the most! To this end, they had considered taking over Sega, considered letting the win system log on to Sony's PS, and even considered buying the entire Nintendo directly, but due to different ideas and inconsistent business strategies, they all failed. In the end, Gates simply decided to come on his own, starting from scratch and developing a console that really flowed with Microsoft's blood. So in the face of Sony and Nintendo, how should Microsoft enter the game? Their answer is: throw money.
Xbox
In November 2001, the first generation of Xbox consoles was officially launched in North America, and so far, the cumulative sales volume worldwide has exceeded 24 million units. The original Xbox used an Intel Pentium 3 processor with Nvidia GPU, built-in 8GB capacity hard disk with DVD drive, and support for network connectivity and Dolby Digital 5.1 channels (the only supported game console at the time), comparable to a high-end computer, and the price was only $299. Of course, the configuration of the wind is obviously not enough, for the player to play the game is the biggest motivation to buy the console, so Microsoft for $50 million to buy Bugie, for xbox to develop the exclusive game "Halo", which can be described as a far-reaching work on the industry.
A series of "burning money" measures have enabled the Xbox that has just entered the console market to achieve more than 20 million units, although it is still far behind the PS2 that was in the sky at the time, but it has successfully squeezed out Nintendo's NGC to firmly occupy the throne of the second largest console sales.
splendor
As the world's first high-definition game console, Xbox 360 was released in 2005, and Microsoft also prepared for this generation of console wars early. With performance nearly flat, the Xbox 360 went on sale a full year ahead of major rival Sony's PS3. And the price of $399 is also a full $200 cheaper than the PS3, plus the god assist of the Sony high-level next door, giving up the PS2.
Xbox 360
As the world's first console to feature high-definition (HD) graphics, the Xbox 360 debuted in North America in November 2005. Xbox 360 supports 1920×1080 screen resolution, the machine uses a multi-core CPU jointly developed with IBM, and equipped with 512 MB of memory, the overall performance has been greatly improved compared to the original Xbox. The Xbox360 is very close to the computer in architecture, which makes the 360 development environment more compatible, which is why third-party games are almost all better than the PS3 in terms of graphics and frame rates.
In order to win the Japanese market, Microsoft spent a lot of money to develop Japanese RPG games such as "The Lost Odyssey" and "Blue Dragon". At the same time, Microsoft's "Gears of War" trilogy has established its unshakable king status in the field of TPS (third-person shooting) with its super high quality, and the "Forza Motorsport" and "Horizon" series are also breaking through the world of realistic racing, not to mention their ace game "Halo". It can be said that 360 hundred flowers bloom on the software lineup. It is worth mentioning that the achievement system is also the first microsoft to introduce a host platform, it is like a magic box to attract a large number of players to complete the achievement points tirelessly. At the same time, Microsoft has also opened a membership function, and players can get more exclusive membership functions by paying, such as network connection, free games, member-exclusive discounts and so on.
A series of measures to make the momentum of the XBOX360 for a while, the early PS3 is almost by the XBOX 360 pressed to the ground friction, which is also the Xbox series so far the highest sales of the console, the global cumulative sales reached 86 million units.
Three Red Machine Incidents
However, just when the Xbox360 spring breeze was triumphant, a big event that almost made it fall to the bottom broke out, that is, the "Three Red Machine Incident". At that time, in order to get rid of the impression that the original Xbox was huge and clumsy, the Xbox 360 design was very thin and light, resulting in a serious shortage of internal space in the hardware and a great reduction in the heat dissipation function. The direct consequence of this is that the chip temperature is too high, resulting in a short circuit phenomenon in the dissolving of lead-free tin on the motherboard, and finally the Xbox360 opens the key three red lights, and the machine cannot start.
The "three red" phenomenon is still the existence of no solution, once the host is completely scrapped, more importantly, the failure rate of the "three red" phenomenon is as high as 35%, which is unique in the entire history of the game console, the emergence of the "three red machine" not only caught Microsoft high-level unprepared, but also greatly affected the player's enthusiasm for purchase. In order to solve the problem of three reds, Microsoft spent $1.2 billion to replace the console for free and extend the three-year warranty, which barely saved the confidence of some players. The "three red problem" was not completely solved until the launch of the subsequent improved model Xbox 360 slim.
Kinect
In 2006, with the release of the Wii, somatosensory games became popular all over the world. Microsoft is also quick to follow. Compared with the handheld somatosensory devices of Nintendo and Sony, Microsoft's somatosensory device Kinect is much more magical. "Kinect" is a fusion of the words kinetics (kinetics) and connect (connection), and domestic players have given it a more catchy name "nibbling milk". It allows players to rely only on an advanced 3D camera, "Kinect", without any handheld device, to accurately capture the player's movements and even voice in three-dimensional space, and the concept of human-computer interaction is more thoroughly displayed.
A large number of fun and interesting somatosensory games "Kinect Adventure", "Kinect Games", "Dance Full" made Kinect achieve 8 million sets of sales in only 60 days of release, and Microsoft relied on the success of Kinect to make xbox 360 a big fire again. The Xbox 360 sold more than 80 million units worldwide, making it Microsoft's highest total sales console to date.
adversity
The Xbox 360 fire also gave Microsoft full of confidence, but just before the release of the new generation of console Xbox ONE, a series of high-level decisions completely buried xbox ONE, which should have been a promising console. The first is to push for digital restrictions on second-hand game transactions, the second is to require players to register online after purchasing Xbox ONE, and must be verified online again every 24 hours of operation, and finally, it is forced to bundle Kinect for sale. And these undoubtedly violate the bottom line of the player, why can't the game I buy be second-hand? Why do I have to certify online every 24 hours? Why do I have to buy your Kinect if I don't play somatosensory games? Global players are also critical of Microsoft's high-level riots, and Sony has made a promo taunt and taken the opportunity to promote PS4. Microsoft saw that things were not good, although it quickly overturned all the previous policies, but it was too late to make up for it, and in those years, Microsoft and Xbox ONE were ridiculed and insulted by players around the world, which can be described as the general trend has gone to Xbox ONE has been unable to turn over.
Xbox ONE
Speaking of Xbox ONE, it debuted in North America in November 2013, and its performance has improved by leaps and bounds compared to its predecessor. In addition to supporting the installation of videos, karaokes, phones and other apps, you can even watch TV programs through Xbox ONE, which shows its emphasis on pan-entertainment functions. In addition, because Microsoft attaches great importance to the downward compatibility of the host, after the release of the host, the official has also launched a function that can be compatible with Xbox 360 and the original Xbox game, with global cumulative sales of nearly 50 million units. Unfortunately, bad policies have ruined the machine's great future.
Break the game
Microsoft obviously will not be willing to fail, want to make the Xbox ONE headwind turn over is certainly impossible, at this stage Microsoft can do is to try to pull back the favorability of some players. First of all, Microsoft overturned the overly bloated design of the previous Xbox ONE, and launched the Xbox ONE S, which has a pure white body and a small design that is very attractive.
The subsequent launch of the enhanced version of the host "Scorpio" Xbox ONE X is a big move, compared to Sony's PS4 pro, X1X is significantly better in performance, not only supports native 4K, stable 60 frames of the game experience is also quite good, once known as "the strongest host on the surface", and for the core players launched the "elite controller", although the price is not cheap, but support custom buttons and auxiliary paddles allow players to play games more handily, becoming a sharp machine for electronic enthusiasts.
The second step is to use the "money power" to acquire game studios around the world, Mojang, Playground, Obsidian, Rare, ninja theory have been in the pocket, and the biggest of which is undoubtedly the $7.5 billion acquisition of Bethesda's "The Elder Scrolls", "Fallout", "Doom", "Evil Possessed", "Shame" and other world-renowned heavyweight IP. For the acquisition of this matter, Microsoft's attitude is: as long as the two sides can negotiate, cooperation is a win-win situation, there is no upper limit on the amount, no timetable, and there is no time to stop acquiring. Have to lament that money can really do whatever you want!
In November 2020, Microsoft brought their latest generation of consoles, the Xbox SERIES X and S. Xbox SERIES X targets core players with high graphics requirements with high performance. The Xbox SERIES S allows more light users to experience the charm of the game at a relatively low price.
Xbox Series X｜S
In November 2020, the Xbox Series X|S was officially released. Compared with the previous console, the Xbox Series X|S not only brings a clearer picture quality game screen, but also supports hdR functions with clearer light and dark performance, and light tracking technology that enhances the light and shadow performance of the game through physical simulation. In addition, the "Quick Restore" function, which will save the current game progress in the form of snapshots when switching directly to other games during play, is also a major feature of the Xbox Series X|S.
Classic game
Speaking of xbox's success, it is necessary to mention its game market, that is, Microsoft's XGP. Microsoft has always been a very subscription-oriented vendor, from the earliest Xbox LIVE Gold membership to today's industry-renowned XGP. XGP is commonly known as Xbox GAME PASS, which will be a strategic focus of Microsoft's Xbox business in the future, so Microsoft's games will also revolve around XGP in the future.
If you buy an Xbox then XGP is basically a must-have item. Because as long as you open XGP, then during the subscription period, you can play hundreds of works in the XGP library for free: such as Microsoft's first-party games "Gears of War", "Halo", "Forza Motorsport", etc.; third-party masterpieces will also be updated to XGP from time to time, such as "Dragon Quest", "Duo", "Like Dragons", "Final Fantasy" series, etc.; EA's games such as "FIFA", "Titanfall", "Battlefield" are also in the library; Bethesda's "The Elder Scrolls" and "Star Domain" and other games are also in the library. Saying that XGP for so many masterpieces must be very expensive, right? In fact, it is not expensive at all, and new users can play for 3 months for 10 yuan. And if you buy XGP through the low-price area, more than 100 years or even more than 200 years, this is definitely the most cost-effective membership subscription service in the three game consoles, there is no one.
There are many excellent games on Xbox, and then Wheat briefly introduces you to what classic games are worth paying attention to.
Resident Evil
Irrational Game's BioShock tells a simple story: you're trapped in a whimsical underwater city. But it's really scary, and your fears and interests will haunt your subconscious at the same time. The details of every corner of the game and the professional voiceover of the game show the strength of the development team. The sonorous footsteps of big daddy in the hall and the little sister are all things that make you remember it. If that's not enough, the game's excellent plot and profound ending are definitely unforgettable moments.
Red Dead Redemption
Like every R-star game, Red Dead Redemption has an unforgettable character. Also, the game world is very grand, and there are a lot of things to do at the same time - from playing poker to taming horses, you can get a lot of enjoyable time in the game.
Mass Effect
BioWare's Mass Effect trilogy has been diminished by its controversial ending, but it can't be denied that the game offers a rare gaming experience in the RPG genre. Your choices not only affect the characters you control, but also have a decisive impact on the direction of the game, don't forget that mass effect brings a dialogue three-choice system that makes the game more like an interactive drama. BioWare has left countless players with unforgettable memories and has also received countless accolades.
Call of Duty series
The Call of Duty series has an unshakable place in game history, and its appearance has directly led to the popularity of later modern war games. The late multiplayer mode Bull X extreme, offering a battle mode full of competition, if you are a quasi-god, you can also experience the thrill of humiliating others.
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 provides players with a national level of art design where they need to emerge from a crowd of villains in a bloody world to become the boss of the bad guys. This work tells the story of the trilogy's appropriate, poignant, but indeed beautiful ending. From now on, any bunker-based third-person shooter will have to use the Gears of War trilogy as a reference. As the pinnacle of Xbox 360, I'm sure no player will miss Gears of War 3.
The Lost Odyssey
Mistwalker's The Lost Odyssey is undoubtedly the essence of a traditional Japanese RPG. The game casts memorable protagonists, the game's battlefield system and epic plot are equally haunting, and there are many reasons to love the game. At the same time, this game is exclusive to Xbox 360, which provides a precious essence for Microsoft's exclusive works.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
If you're a player who despises fantasy RPGs, it's a fool's errand to miss Bethesda's first five generations of The Elder Scrolls, and the fully open world will give you over 100 hours of exploration, with every inch of Skyrim crammed with tons of content. Of course, this game has the potential to completely destroy your social life, but it's only a small price to pay for the super RPG experience that the game offers.
Halo series
Microsoft's "Halo" is a representative work from the beginning of the original Xbox, with sufficient production funds, bringing the ultimate game screen and a smooth game experience, and the excellent multiplayer mode also makes the bright light of the work indelible.
Assassin's Creed III
After Ezio's three masterpieces, the Assassin's Creed series began to lose some of its own charm. Luckily, Ubisoft cleverly takes players to the time of the American Revolution. It's not just a breath of fresh air, especially since the protagonist you control also has a brilliant tomahawk. From naval battles to hunting to the woods, Assassin's Creed 3 takes the series into a whole new realm. Ubisoft took a lot of effort to create this new world, and there is no doubt that they succeeded.
The Witcher 2: Assassin King
The Witcher 2: King of Assassins is one of the benchmarks for PC graphics, so when the game was announced to land on Xbox 360, everyone was worried about how it could run, fortunately the developers really have a bunch of amazing guys, and The Witcher 2 looks really amazing on Microsoft's console. But putting the graphics aside, the game is also one of the most resonant and thought-provoking RPGs. If you want to see a deeply mature story, the kind full of political tricks, you'll find quite a bit of joy in The Witcher 2.
The way forward
Now Microsoft's game vision and pattern is larger, and it will no longer ignore the demands of players as before, but completely lower its posture. Microsoft exclusive game cross-platform login Nintendo NS; upgraded version of XGPU allows players to achieve PC, mobile phone, XBOX cross-device online play; layout cloud games also highlight Microsoft's grasp of the future trend of gaming.
The most popular word today, "metaverse," is the most appropriate way to describe today's XBOX. With XGP as the core of the entire game ecosystem, expanding the game library lineup through the acquisition of global studios, and opening up the boundaries between platforms through cloud games, Microsoft is playing a big game in the next game. Wheat believes that with the support of Microsoft's ample funds, the future of Microsoft games is unlimited.
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