Microsoft officially announced back in August 2023 that the Xbox 360 online store would be closing its doors in July 2024. Fast forward to today, and that day has finally arrived, marking the end of an era for Xbox 360 gamers.
The closure of the online store not only means that digital Xbox 360 games can no longer be purchased or downloaded, but it also signifies the end of being able to watch digital films and TV series on the Xbox 360.
The Xbox 360 was released over 18 years ago on November 22, 2005, following the success of the original Xbox console. It gained immense popularity and brought forth iconic game titles like Halo 3 and Gears of War 2. In 2013, its successor, the Xbox One, took over, and the Xbox 360 was officially discontinued in 2016.
While you can no longer access the online store to download games, you can still play the ones you already have installed. Multiplayer functionality should still be available to some extent, as long as the developers have not shut down the online servers.
Microsoft has mentioned that transferring game saves from the cloud to other consoles should still be possible. However, the longevity of this feature remains uncertain. In the weeks leading up to the store closure, the demand for Xbox 360 games increased, causing prices of popular titles like Tomb Raider and Call of Duty to rise by 14% compared to the previous year.
With the shift towards digital gaming, Microsoft now offers modern titles through services like Xbox Game Pass, giving gamers access to many AAA games on the day of release. While the subscription recently saw a price increase, it still remains a cost-effective option for gamers.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, backward compatibility remains a challenge for maintaining access to older games on newer consoles. Despite the closure of the Xbox 360 online store, players can still enjoy many Xbox 360 titles on modern consoles like the Xbox Series X.
Laura, an avid gamer and technology enthusiast, has been covering PC and gaming-related topics since her days at PCMagazin and Connect Living. As a seasoned editor at PC-WELT, she continues to delve into the world of technology and gaming, providing valuable insights and updates to readers.
