The Xbox 360 has been around for over a decade and it is finally time to say goodbye to it as Microsoft has officially announced that they have discontinued production of the Xbox 360 console.
In a blog post, Xbox head Phil Spencer writes that while the Xbox 360 means a lot to everyone over at Microsoft and that they have had an amazing run with this console. Microsoft has said they will continue selling existing inventory of Xbox 360 consoles, with availability varying by country, but it is no longer going to manufacture new units.
Xbox 360 means a lot to everyone in Microsoft. And while we’ve had an amazing run, the realities of manufacturing a product over a decade old are starting to creep up on us. Which is why we have made the decision to stop manufacturing new Xbox 360 consoles. We will continue to sell existing inventory of Xbox 360 consoles, with availability varying by country.
First released in 2005, the Xbox 360 becomes an instant hit for Microsoft, making the company as one of the top Console maker in the world. By the time Microsoft released Xbox One in November 2013, it is estimated over 78 million units of Xbox 360 units are sold worldwide.
Microsoft makes it clear that they are only ending the production of Xbox 360, but both hardware support and software support for existing units will continue. They also acknowledge many gamers are still actively playing on the Xbox 360 and so Xbox Live servers for this console will continue to remain online. Microsoft will also sell games and accessories for the console.
- Xbox 360 owners will continue to receive Xbox Live services for their console, such as online multiplayer gaming and parties, access to the apps they use today, and Games with Gold and Deals with Gold.
- Xbox Live servers that support Xbox 360 services will also remain online and active. Our Xbox 360 fans can continue to play their favorite games with the full support of Xbox Live.
- Gamers will also be able to continue to buy over 4,000 Xbox 360 games or Xbox 360 accessories at retail and through our Xbox 360 store online, while supplies last.
- Any Xbox 360 hardware will still be supported at xbox.com/support.
- And Xbox One owners will be able to continue to enjoy available Xbox 360 games through Xbox One Backward Compatibility – at no additional cost.
As of last summer, Microsoft has been continually making Xbox 360 games available to play on Xbox One via that console’s backwards compatibility service. With the end of Xbox 360, Microsoft will likely now focus its manufacturing might on Xbox One and future updates for its current-gen hardware.
