Xbox 360
Microsoft’s second-generation Xbox home video game console, released in 2005. It made online play and downloadable content central through Xbox Live.
Xbox 360 architecture: The console’s hardware design, centered on a three-core PowerPC processor and a custom ATI graphics processor. Its processor and graphics hardware shaped game performance and development.
Xbox: Microsoft’s first home video game console, released in 2001. The Xbox 360 followed this console and carried forward its brand and online ambitions.
Red Ring of Death: A hardware failure signaled by three red lights around the Xbox 360 power button. Widespread failures damaged the console’s reputation and prompted Microsoft’s costly warranty response.
Halo 3: A 2007 first-person shooter developed by Bungie for Xbox 360 and the conclusion of the original Halo trilogy. Its campaign and online multiplayer became flagship showcases for the console.
Xbox Live: Microsoft’s online gaming and digital media service for Xbox consoles and Windows devices. It supplied multiplayer, downloadable games, and social features central to the console.
Xbox 360 launch: The 2005 introduction of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console to the home video game market. Its early release gave Microsoft a head start in the seventh console generation.
Xbox 360 games: Video games developed or released for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console. Its library included defining exclusives and major multiplatform releases of the era.
Gears of War: A third-person shooter series created by Epic Games and launched on Xbox 360 in 2006. Its cover-based combat and visual style helped define the console’s early identity.
Xbox 360 controller: The gamepad designed for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, available in wired and wireless versions. Its familiar layout became the standard interface for most Xbox 360 games.
Xbox 360 hardware revisions: The successive redesigns of Xbox 360 hardware, including the Elite, S, and E models. Later revisions changed the console’s size, ports, storage options, and reliability.