Editing Xbox 360

{{Infobox information appliance
|logo=XBox360_logo.png
|logo caption=
|image=[[File:Xbox-360-Pro-wController.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]][[File:Xbox-360S-Console-Set.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]][[File:Microsoft-Xbox-360-E-wController.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]]
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|caption ='''Left:''' Original model Xbox 360 Premium (2005)'''<br />Center:''' Redesigned slim model Xbox 360 S (2010)''' <br />Right:''' Latest model Xbox 360 E (2013)
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|developer=[[Microsoft]]
|manufacturer=[[Flextronics]], [[Wistron Corporation|Wistron]], [[Celestica]], [[Foxconn]]
|family=[[Xbox]]
|type=[[Home video game console]]
|generation=[[Seventh generation of video game consoles|Seventh generation]]
|lifespan=2005–2016
|discontinued = WW: April 20, 2016
|media=[[DVD]], [[compact disc|CD]], [[Xbox Live Arcade|digital distribution]]<br />
'''Add-on:''' [[HD DVD]] <small>(''discontinued'')</small>
|os=[[Xbox 360 system software]]
|storage=Storage media
* [[hard disk drive|Detachable Hard Drives]]<br /> <small>20, 60, 120 or 250&nbsp;GB (older models); 250 or 320&nbsp;GB (Xbox 360 S models)</small>
* [[Memory cards in video game consoles|Memory Cards (Removable)]] <small>(Original design only)</small><br /><small>64&nbsp;MB, 256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
* On-board storage chip
** Arcade Consoles <small>(later models)</small><br /><small>256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
** Budget level "Xbox 360 S" consoles:<br /><small>4&nbsp;GB</small>
* USB storage device (requires system software update)<br /><small>1&nbsp;GB to 32&nbsp;GB</small>
* Cloud storage (requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership)<br /><small>2&nbsp;GB </small>
|display=Video output formats
* [[Composite video]]<br /><small>[[480i]], [[PAL|576i]]&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* [[S-Video]]<br /><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* RGB [[SCART]]<br /><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* [[Component video|Component]] ([[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]])<br /><small>480i, 576i, [[480p]], [[720p]], [[1080i]]</small>
* [[D-Terminal]] (YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>)<br /><small>480i&nbsp;(D1), 480p&nbsp;(D2), 720p&nbsp;(D4), 1080i&nbsp;(D3), 1080p&nbsp;(D5)</small>
* [[VGA connector|VGA]]<br /><small>640×480, 848×480, [[XGA|1024×768]], 1280×720&nbsp;(720p), 1280×768, [[SXGA|1280×1024]], [[Wide XGA|1360×768]], 1440×900, [[WSXGA+|1680×1050]], 1920×1080&nbsp;(1080p)</small>
* [[HDMI]] (later models)<br /><small>480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p</small>
* Note: 1080p video playback is limited to content from the Zune marketplace
|controllers=Controllers
4 maximum* (any combination):
* [[Xbox 360 Controller]] (USB wired, 2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless)
* [[Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel]]
* [[Rhythm game]] controllers
* [[Big Button Pad]]s*
* [[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Arcade Sticks|Xbox 360 Arcade sticks]]
* [[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick|Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick]]
* [[Kinect]]
<small>*4 Big button pads may be used in addition to other controllers.</small>
|connectivity=
'''Original models'''<br />
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 3 × [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]], [[Infrared communication|IR]] receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s [[Ethernet]]<br />'''Add-on:''' Wifi [[IEEE 802.11|802.11]] [[IEEE 802.11a-1999|a]]/[[IEEE 802.11b-1999|b]]/[[IEEE 802.11g-2003|g]], Wifi 802.11a/b/g/[[IEEE 802.11n-2009|n]]</small><br />
'''Revised "S" models'''<br />
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 5 × USB 2.0, [[TOSLINK|Digital Optical audio]] out, IR receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port</small><br />
'''Revised "E" models'''
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 4 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port</small>
|compatibility=[[List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|461 original Xbox games]] <small>(requires [[Xbox 360 components and accessories#Storage|hard drive]] and the latest update)</small>
|predecessor=[[Xbox|Xbox]]
|successor=[[Xbox One]]
|website = [https://xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/]
|releasedate=November 22, 2005<br>
'''Original Xbox 360'''
*NA: November 22, 2005
*EU: December 2, 2005
*JP: December 10, 2005
*[[Colombia|CO]]{{!}}[[Mexico|MX]]: February 2, 2006
*[[South Korea|KR]]: February 24, 2006
*[[Hong Kong|HK]]{{!}}[[Singapore|SG]]{{!}}[[Taiwan|TW]]: March 16, 2006
*AUS: March 23, 2006
*[[Chile|CL]]: July 7, 2006
*[[India|IN]]: September 25, 2006
*[[South Africa|ZA]]: September 29, 2006
*[[Czech Republic|CZ]]{{!}}[[Poland|PL]]: November 3, 2006
*[[Brazil|BR]]: December 1, 2006
*[[Russia|RU]]: February 11, 2007
*[[Peru|PE]]: February 25, 2008
*[[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]: October 28, 2008
*[[Nigeria|NG]]{{!}}[[Turkey|TR]]: 2009
*[[Seychelles|SC]]: Spring 2010
'''Xbox 360 S'''<br />
*NA: June 18, 2010
*AUS: July 1, 2010
*[[New Zealand|NZ]]: July 8, 2010
*EU: July 16, 2010
'''Xbox 360 E'''<br />
*NA: June 10, 2013
*EU: June 20, 2013
|title= Xbox 360
|CPU=3.2&nbsp;[[Hertz|GHz]] [[PowerPC]] Tri-Core [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]]
|GPU=500&nbsp;MHz [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]]
|Memory=512&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700&nbsp;MHz
|unitssold=Worldwide: 84 million <small>(2014-06-09)</small> ([[Xbox 360 sales|details]])
|Sound=
* Analog stereo
* Stereo [[LPCM]] <small>([[TOSLINK]] and HDMI)</small>
* [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
* Dolby Digital with WMA pro <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
|onlineservice=[[Xbox Live]]
<!-- ALERT, DO NOT CHANGE TOPGAME WITHOUT CITATION. -->
<!-- ALSO ENSURE THAT FIGURES ARE FOR XBOX 360 SALES, NOT MULTI-PLATFORM -->
|topgame=''[[Kinect Adventures!]]'' <small>(24 million as [[pack-in game]] for [[Kinect]])</small>
<!-- ALERT, DO NOT CHANGE TOPGAME WITHOUT CITATION. -->
<!-- ALSO ENSURE THAT FIGURES ARE FOR XBOX 360 SALES, NOT MULTI-PLATFORM -->
}}

=Introduction=

The '''Xbox 360''' is a [[home video game console]] developed by [[Microsoft]]. As the successor to the [[Xbox (console)|original Xbox]], it is the second console in the [[Xbox]] series. It competed with [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] as part of the [[seventh generation of video game consoles]]. It was officially unveiled on [[MTV]] on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information announced later that month at the 2005 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]].

The Xbox 360 features an online service, [[Xbox Live]], which was expanded from its previous iteration on the original Xbox and received regular updates during the console's lifetime. Available in free and subscription-based varieties, Xbox Live allows users to: [[Online game|play games online]]; download games (through [[Xbox Live Arcade]]) and game demos; purchase and [[Streaming media|stream]] music, television programs, and films through the [[Xbox Music]] and [[Xbox Video]] portals; and access third-party content services through media streaming applications. In addition to online multimedia features, it allows users to stream media from local PCs. Several peripherals have been released, including wireless [[Xbox 360 controller|controllers]], expanded [[hard disk drive|hard drive]] storage, and the [[Kinect]] [[motion sensing]] camera. The release of these additional services and peripherals helped the Xbox brand grow from gaming-only to encompassing all multimedia, turning it into a hub for living-room computing entertainment.

[[Xbox 360 launch|Launched]] worldwide across 2005–2006, the Xbox 360 was initially in short supply in many regions, including North America and Europe. The earliest versions of the console suffered from a high [[failure rate]], indicated by the so-called "[[Xbox 360 technical problems|Red Ring of Death]]", necessitating an extension of the device's warranty period. Microsoft released two redesigned models of the console: the ''Xbox 360 S'' in 2010, and the ''Xbox 360 E'' in 2013. As of June 2014, 84 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide, making it the [[List of million-selling game consoles|sixth-highest-selling video game console in history]], and the highest-selling console made by an American company. Although not the best-selling console of its generation, the Xbox 360 was deemed by [[TechRadar]] to be the most influential through its emphasis on digital media distribution and multiplayer gaming on Xbox Live.

The Xbox 360's successor, the [[Xbox One]], was released on November 22, 2013. On April 20, 2016, Microsoft announced that it would end the production of new Xbox 360 hardware, although the company will continue to support the platform.

=Specifications=

==History==

===Development===
Known during development as Xbox Next, Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS or NextBox,<ref name="Narrowing Down the Xbox Successor's Name">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200406/ai_n9520284|archive-url=https://archive.is/20070517222211/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200406/ai_n9520284|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2007-05-17|title= Microsoft Narrowing Down Xbox Successor's Name?|accessdate= July 26, 2008|first=David|last=Smith|date=June 2004|publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]]}}</ref> the Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003.<ref name="Development">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/04/24/the_xbox_360_un/ |title=Chronology of Xbox History, 2003 |accessdate=November 2, 2006 |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=May 1, 2006 |publisher=Mercury News |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922212025/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/04/24/the_xbox_360_un/ |archivedate=September 22, 2008 }}</ref> In February 2003, planning for the Xenon [[Computing platform|software platform]] began, and was headed by Microsoft's Vice President [[J Allard]].<ref name="Development" /> That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in [[Bellevue, Washington]] to recruit support for the system.<ref name="Development" /> Also that month, [[Peter Moore (business)|Peter Moore]], former president of [[Sega]] of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal which was publicly announced two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1043-5063661.html|title=ATI wins bid for next Xbox|accessdate=July 26, 2008|last=Becker| first=David|date=August 14, 2003|publisher=CNET}}</ref> Before the launch of the Xbox 360, several [[Alpha test|Alpha]] development kits were spotted using [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] [[Power Mac G5]] hardware. This was because the system's [[PowerPC 970]] processor running the same [[PowerPC]] architecture that the Xbox 360 would eventually run under [[IBM]]'s [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] processor. The cores of the Xenon [[Central processing unit|processor]] were developed using a slightly modified version of the [[PlayStation 3]]'s [[Cell (microprocessor)|Cell Processor]] PPE architecture. According to David Shippy and Mickie Phipps, the [[IBM]] employees were "hiding" their work from Sony and Toshiba, IBM's partners in developing the [[Cell (microprocessor)|Cell Processor]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123069467545545011.html|title=Playing the Fool|author=Jonathan V. Last|work=Wall Street Journal|date=December 30, 2008}}</ref> [[Jeff Minter]] created the [[music visualization]] program [[Neon (light synthesizer)|Neon]] which is included with the Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/jul/05/jeffmintervs|title=Jeff Minter vs Xbox 360: how Microsoft bought the light synth vision|work=The Guardian|date=July 5, 2005|location=London|first=Keith|last=Stuart}}</ref>

===Launch===
{{Main|Xbox 360 launch}}

The Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005, in the United States and Canada;<ref name="nalaunch" /> December 2, 2005, in Europe and December 10, 2005, in Japan. It was later launched in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Russia. In its first year on the market, the system launched in 36 countries, more countries than any other console has launched in a single year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/739/739880p1.html |title=Microsoft Spreads 360 Love |accessdate=October 18, 2006 |last=Perry |first=Douglass  |date=October 17, 2006 |publisher=IGN }}</ref>

===Critical reception===
In 2009, [[IGN]] named the Xbox 360 the sixth-greatest video game console of all time, out of a field of 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/6.html |title=Xbox 360 is number 6 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> Although not the best-selling console of the seventh-generation, the Xbox 360 was deemed by [[TechRadar]] to be the most influential, by emphasizing digital media distribution and online gaming through Xbox Live, and by popularizing [[Achievement (video gaming)|game achievement awards]].<ref name="trlegacy"/> ''PC Magazine'' considered the Xbox 360 the prototype for online gaming as it "proved that online gaming communities could thrive in the console space".<ref name="pcmag.com"/> Five years after the Xbox 360's original debut, the well-received [[Kinect]] motion capture camera was released, which set the record of being the fastest selling consumer electronic device in history, and extended the life of the console.<ref name="finance.yahoo.com">{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/game-over-fastest-selling-tech-device-history-end-130353968.html|title=Game Over: Fastest Selling Tech Device In History to End Console War|date=November 14, 2013|work=Yahoo Finance}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' ranked Xbox 360 the second-best console of the 1993–2013 period, stating "It had its own social network, cross-game chat, new indie games every week, and the best version of just about every multiformat game...''[[Killzone (series)|Killzone]]'' is no ''[[Halo (series)|Halo]]'' and nowadays ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]'' is no ''[[Forza Motorsport (series)|Forza]]'', but it's not about the exclusives—there's nothing to trump [[Naughty Dog]]'s PS3 output, after all. Rather, it's about the choices Microsoft made back in the original Xbox's lifetime. The PC-like architecture meant the early EA Sports games ran at 60fps compared to only 30 on PS3, Xbox Live meant every dedicated player had an existing friends list, and ''Halo'' meant Microsoft had the killer next-generation exclusive. And when developers demo games on PC now they do it with a 360 pad—another industry benchmark, and a critical one."<ref>{{cite web|author=Edge Staff|title=The ten best consoles: our countdown of the greatest gameboxes of the last 20 years|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-best-consoles-the-greatest-gameboxes-from-the-past-20-years/|publisher=Edge Online|date=September 20, 2013|accessdate=January 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325032325/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-best-consoles-the-greatest-gameboxes-from-the-past-20-years/|archive-date=March 25, 2014}}</ref>

===Sales===
<!-- This section is linked from this article's infobox -->
<!--
     DO ''not'' CHANGE these numbers without a reference
     VGCHARTS and NEXTGENWARS are ''not'' reliable sources
-->
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em;"
|-
! Region !! [[List of million-selling game consoles|Units sold]] !! First available
|-
| United States
| 25.4 million <small>{{as of|2011|3|31|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="USEUsales">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33842/GameStop_Details_Europe_US_Installed_Base_For_Consoles.php|title=GameStop Details Europe, U.S. Installed Base For Consoles|author=Leigh Alexander|date=March 31, 2011|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=March 31, 2011}}</ref>
|November 22, 2005
|-
| EMEA region{{Clear}}<small>(Europe, Middle East and Africa)</small>
| 13.7 million <small>{{as of|2011|3|31|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="USEUsales"/>{{Clear}}<small>(Includes UK sales)</small>
| rowspan="2"| December 2, 2005
|-
| United Kingdom
| 8 million <small>{{as of|2013|2|14|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name=UKsales>{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/xbox-360-set-to-surpass-nintendo-wiis-uk-sales-record-1131356 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217222034/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/xbox-360-set-to-surpass-nintendo-wiis-uk-sales-record-1131356 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |title=Xbox 360 set to surpass Nintendo Wii's UK sales record |date=February 14, 2013 |publisher=[[TechRadar]] |accessdate=February 21, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
|-
| Japan
| 1.5 million <small>{{as of|2011|06|17|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="JapanSales2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-17-xbox-360-sells-1-5-million-in-japan|title=Xbox 360 sells 1.5 million in Japan |date=June 17, 2011|accessdate=June 17, 2011|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
| December 10, 2005
|-
| Australia & New Zealand
| 1 million <small>{{as of|2010|4|19|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="salesAUSNZ">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5520115/maybe-the-best-xbox-360-weve-ever-seen |title=This Is A Nice, Nice Xbox 360 |publisher=Kotaku |accessdate=April 19, 2010 |date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>
| March 23, 2006
|-
| '''Worldwide'''
| '''80 million''' <small>{{As of|2013|10|17|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="360 80mil">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/17/xbox-360-80-million-sold-and-counting |title=Xbox 360: 80 Million Sold and Counting |accessdate=November 4, 2013 |first=Colin|last=Moriarty|date=October 17, 2013|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
| <small>([[Xbox 360 launch#Release dates and pricing|more...]])</small>
|}
{{main|Xbox 360 sales}}

[[File:Xbox_360.png|thumb|right|Xbox 360 Premium package.]]

<!-- launch sales -->
The Xbox 360 began production only 69&nbsp;days before launch,<ref name="bottleneck">{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/05/commentary/column_gaming/index.htm?section=money_latest |title=Nintendo's Wii may get early launch |accessdate=March 23, 2009 |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=July 5, 2006 |publisher=CNN Money}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6235933.html |title=Microsoft cooking 360 figures? |date=April 16, 2007 |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111180230/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6235933.html |archivedate=January 11, 2010 }}</ref> and Microsoft was not able to supply enough systems to meet initial consumer demand in Europe or North America, selling out completely [[Xbox 360 launch|upon release]] in all regions except in Japan.<ref name="Shortages spoil Xbox 360 launch">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4462744.stm|title=Shortages spoil Xbox 360 launch |work=BBC News | date=November 23, 2005 | accessdate=December 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Xbox 360 Launch Takes Europe by Storm">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox365.com/news.cgi?id=GGPPLLiddi12060836 |title=Xbox 360 Launch Takes Europe by Storm |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810190504/http://www.xbox365.com/news.cgi?id=GGPPLLiddi12060836 |archivedate=August 10, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="Retailers Sell Out of Initial Xbox 360 Shipments">{{cite web|url=http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/21759/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106182754/http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/21759/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=January 6, 2008 |title=Retailers Sell Out of Initial Xbox 360 Shipments |accessdate=October 14, 2008 |df= }}</ref><ref name="bbc-soldout">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4491804.stm |title=Xbox 360 sells out within hours |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |date=December 2, 2005 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Forty thousand units were offered for sale on auction site [[eBay]] during the initial week of release, 10% of the total supply.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/40000-xbox-360s-sold-ebay |title=40,000 Xbox 360s Sold on eBay |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |last=Svensson |first=Christian |date=December 2, 2005 |publisher=Future Network USA |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701091716/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/40000-xbox-360s-sold-ebay |archivedate=July 1, 2011 }}</ref> By year's end, Microsoft had shipped 1.5 million units, including 900,000 in North America, 500,000 in Europe, and 100,000 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/msft/download/FY06/MSFTQ2_06.ppt#14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225181443/http://www.microsoft.com/msft/download/FY06/MSFTQ2_06.ppt#14 |archivedate=February 25, 2006 |title=Microsoft FY2006 Quarter 2 report |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |date=January 26, 2006 |format=Powerpoint |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref>

<!-- North America -->
In May 2008 Microsoft announced that 10&nbsp;million Xbox 360s had been sold and that it was the "first current generation gaming console" to surpass the 10 million figure in the US.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/0514-10million.htm | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517113549/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/0514-10million.htm | archivedate=May 17, 2008 | title= Xbox 360 First to Reach Ten Million Console Sales in U.S.|publisher=Microsoft |date=May 14, 2008 |accessdate=May 14, 2008}}</ref> In the US, the Xbox 360 was the leader in current-generation home console sales until June 2008, when it was surpassed by the Wii.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html |title=NPD: PS3 sales spike on MGS4 |author=Tom Magrino |date=July 17, 2008 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=November 22, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013021113/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html |archivedate=October 13, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us |title=NPD: Wii Overtakes 360 in US |author=Joe Keiser |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |date=July 17, 2008 |accessdate=November 22, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815200337/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us |archivedate=August 15, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?entry_id=28286 |title=E3: Nintendo Wii pulls ahead of Xbox 360 in console sales |author=Ryan Kim |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=July 17, 2008 |accessdate=November 22, 2008}}</ref> The Xbox 360 has sold a total of 870,000 units in Canada as of August 1, 2008.<ref name="canadianpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.fftimes.com/node/214646 |title=Nintendo Wii surpasses mark of one million consoles sold in Canada |author=Neil Davidson |date=August 26, 2008 |work=[[The Canadian Press]] |publisher=Yahoo! |accessdate=September 8, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916051431/http://www.fftimes.com/node/214646 |archivedate=September 16, 2009 }}</ref> Between January 2011 and October 2013, the Xbox 360 was the best-selling console in the United States for these 32&nbsp;consecutive months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2013/xbox-360-wii-ps3-won-console-generation/|title=Xbox 360 vs. Wii vs. PS3: Who won the console wars?|author=Todd Bishop|work=GeekWire|accessdate=January 22, 2017}}</ref>

<!-- Europe -->
In Europe, the Xbox 360 has sold seven million units as of November 20, 2008, according to Microsoft.<ref name="Europesales">{{cite web |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/news/914963/xbox_360_european_sales_top_10m.html|title=Xbox 360 European Sales Top 10m |author=Dan Howdle |date=November 13, 2009 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=March 2, 2010}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the Xbox 360 has sold 3.9&nbsp;million units as of June 27, 2009, according to [[GfK]] [[Chart-Track]].<ref name="UKsales"/>

<!-- Japan -->
While the original [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] sold poorly in Japan, selling just 450,000 by November 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/23/the-life-and-death-of-the-original-xbox?page=2 |title=The Life and Death of the Original Xbox|publisher=''IGN UK'' |accessdate=September 13, 2018}}</ref> the Xbox 360 sold almost as poorly, selling 1.5&nbsp;million units from 2005 to 2011.<ref name="JapanSales2011"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine reported in August 2011 that initially lackluster and subsequently falling sales in Japan, where Microsoft had been unable to make serious inroads into the dominance of domestic rivals Sony and Nintendo, had led to retailers scaling down and in some cases discontinuing sales of the Xbox 360 completely.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nathan Brown |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-dead-japan |title=Xbox 360: dead in Japan? – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |accessdate=August 24, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824225226/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-dead-japan |archivedate=August 24, 2011 }}</ref> The significance of Japan's poor sales might be overstated in the media in comparison to overall international sales.<ref name="3 October 2014">{{cite web |last1=Fahey |first1=Rob |title=Japan is just a symptom of Xbox' problems |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-10-02-japan-is-just-a-symptom-of-xbox-problems |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |accessdate=23 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

===Legacy===
The Xbox 360 sold much better than its predecessor, and although not the best-selling console of the seventh generation, it is regarded as a success since it strengthened Microsoft as a major force in the console market at the expense of well-established rivals.<ref name="fool.com"/> The inexpensive [[Nintendo Wii]] did sell the most console units but eventually saw a collapse of third-party software support in its later years, and it has been viewed by some as a fad since the succeeding [[Wii U]] had a poor debut in 2012.<ref name="trlegacy"/><ref name="theglobeandmail">{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/video-games/controller-freak/whats-wrong-with-nintendo/article2219854/ | location=Toronto | work=The Globe and Mail | title=What's wrong with Nintendo? | date=October 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/04/26/nintendo-reports-461-2m-in-losses-is-selling-3ds-below-cost/ | title=Nintendo Reports $461.2M in Losses | work=Forbes | first=Paul | last=Tassi | date=April 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/05/10/sony-posts-record-losses-as-playstation-sales-drop/ | title=Cardiac Arrests at Sony, Nintendo As Consoles Show Their Age | work=Forbes | first=Paul | last=Tassi | accessdate=January 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/27/xbox-one-v-playstation-4-who-will-win-the-next-gen-console-race-4201485/|title=Xbox One v PlayStation 4: Who will win the next-gen console race? - Metro News|author=rossmcguinness20|date=November 27, 2013|work=Metro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/nintendo-seen-missing-target-as-sony-microsoft-sales-dwarf-wii-u.html | work=Bloomberg | title=Nintendo Seen Missing Target as Sony-Microsoft Dwarf Wii U}}</ref> The [[PlayStation 3]] struggled for a time due to being too expensive and initially lacking quality games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.womencitizen.com/technology-22/three-strategy-lessons-from-the-latest-round-of-xbox-vs-playstation-2827.html|title=Three Strategy Lessons From the Latest Round of Xbox vs. PlayStation|author=Women|publisher=}}</ref> making it far less dominant than its predecessor, the [[PlayStation 2]], and it took until late in the PlayStation 3's lifespan for its sales and games to reach parity with the Xbox 360. ''TechRadar'' proclaimed that "Xbox 360 passes the baton as the king of the hill – a position that puts all the more pressure on its successor, Xbox One".<ref name="trlegacy"/>

The Xbox 360's advantage over its competitors was due to the release of high-profile games from both first party and third party developers. The 2007 [[Game Critics Awards]] honored the platform with 38 nominations and 12 wins – more than any other platform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/nom-stats-2007.html |title=2007 Nominee Fast Facts |publisher=[[Game Critics Awards]] |accessdate=June 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/win-stats-2007.html |title=2007 Winners Fast Facts |publisher=Game Critics Awards |accessdate=June 25, 2008}}</ref> By March 2008, the Xbox 360 had reached a software [[attach rate]] of 7.5 games per console in the US; the rate was 7.0 in Europe, while its competitors were 3.8 (PS3) and 3.5 (Wii), according to Microsoft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/04/17/xbox-360-comes-in-2nd-for-march-sales/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420173158/http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/04/17/xbox-360-comes-in-2nd-for-march-sales/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |title=Xbox 360 Comes in 2nd For March Sales |author=Torrence Davis |publisher=The Bitbag |date=April 17, 2008 |accessdate=March 23, 2009 |df= }}</ref> At the 2008 [[Game Developers Conference]], Microsoft announced that it expected over 1,000 games available for Xbox 360 by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2008/02/20/microsoft-keynote-reveals-xbox-stats/|title=Microsoft keynote reveals Xbox stats |author=Rain Anderson |publisher=That VideoGame Blog |date=February 20, 2008 |accessdate=June 25, 2008}}</ref> As well as enjoying exclusives such as additions to the Halo franchise and ''[[Gears of War]]'', the Xbox 360 has managed to gain a simultaneous release of games that were initially planned to be PS3 exclusives, including ''[[Devil May Cry 4]]'',<ref name="Devil May Cry">{{cite web |title=Official Press Release on DMC4 going Multiplatform |publisher=[[Capcom]] |date=March 20, 2007 |url=http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e070320.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028084439/http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e070320.html |archivedate=October 28, 2007 |accessdate=October 25, 2007}}</ref> ''[[Ace Combat 6]]'',<ref name="Ace Combat">{{cite web |url=http://www.namcobandaigames.com/news/press/press/199/page/1 |title=Namco Bandai Games announces the worldwide launch of Ace Combat 6: fires of liberation for the Xbox 360 |publisher=[[Namco Bandai Games|Namco Bandai]] |accessdate=June 25, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011174922/http://namcobandaigames.com/news/press/press/199/page/1 |archivedate=October 11, 2007}}</ref> ''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'',<ref name="Virtua Fighter">{{cite web|last=McWhertor |first=Michael |title=PS3 Loses Another Exclusive, Virtua Fighter 5 Comes to 360 |publisher=Kotaku |date=December 21, 2006 |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/ps3-loses-another-exclusive-virtua-fighter-5-comes-to-360-223566.php |accessdate=October 25, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025094216/http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/ps3-loses-another-exclusive-virtua-fighter-5-comes-to-360-223566.php |archivedate=October 25, 2007 }}</ref> ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'',<ref name="Grand Theft Auto 4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/grandtheftauto4/news.html?sid=6151640&mode=all |title=Grand Theft Auto IV Comes to Xbox 360 on Day One |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=May 24, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202020826/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/grandtheftauto4/news.html?sid=6151640&mode=all |archivedate=December 2, 2008 }}</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'',<ref name="FFXIII360">{{cite web|url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/tag/36/Videogames.html#687020|title=Final Fantasy XIII Comes to the 360|publisher=X-Play|accessdate=July 14, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Tekken 6]]'',<ref name="tekken360">{{cite web|last=Ramsay |first=Randolph |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198775.html?sid=6198775 |title=TGS 2008: Tekken 6 smacking Xbox 360 – News at GameSpot |publisher=Gamespot.com |date=October 8, 2008 |accessdate=March 5, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710152102/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198775.html?sid=6198775 |archivedate=July 10, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance|Metal Gear Solid : Rising]]'',<ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen|last=Totilo |url=http://kotaku.com/5277716/sony-expects-metal-gear-solid-rising-on-ps3-at-launch |title=Sony Expects Metal Gear Solid Rising on PS3 at Launch |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=June 14, 2011}}</ref> and ''[[L.A. Noire]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.spong.com/article/20533/L-A-Noire-No-Longer-A-PS3-Exclusive |title=L.A. Noire No Longer A PS3 Exclusive – News (PS3/Xbox 360) |publisher=News.spong.com |date=February 8, 2010 |accessdate=March 5, 2011}}</ref> In addition, Xbox 360 versions of cross-platform games were generally considered superior to their PS3 counterparts in 2006 and 2007, due in part to the difficulties of programming for the PS3.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shah |first=Sarju |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/xbox-360-versus-playstation-3-graphics-comparison-round-3-6191251/ |title=Xbox 360 Versus PlayStation 3 Graphics Comparison: Round 3 |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=May 23, 2008 |accessdate=July 19, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717090001/http://www.gamespot.com/features/xbox-360-versus-playstation-3-graphics-comparison-round-3-6191251/ |archivedate=July 17, 2012 }}</ref>

[[TechRadar]] deemed the Xbox 360 as the most influential game system through its emphasis of digital media distribution, Xbox Live online gaming service, and [[Achievement (video gaming)|game achievement]] feature.<ref name="trlegacy"/> During the console's lifetime, the Xbox brand has grown from gaming-only to encompassing all multimedia, turning it into a hub for "living-room computing environment".<ref name="businessweek.com"/><ref name="theverge.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> Five years after the Xbox 360's original debut, the well-received [[Kinect]] motion capture camera was released, which became the fastest selling consumer electronic device in history, and extended the life of the console.<ref name="finance.yahoo.com"/>

Microsoft announced the [[Xbox One]], successor to the Xbox 360, at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] on June 10, 2013. Although succeeded as Microsoft's main console by the Xbox One, support from publishers for the Xbox 360 is expected to continue until at least 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/xbox-360-and-ps3-support-to-continue-until-2017-despite-xbox-one-and-ps4-unveilings |title=Xbox 360 and PS3 support to continue until 2017 despite Xbox One and PS4 unveilings |publisher=trustedreviews.com  |accessdate=August 24, 2013}}</ref> On April 20, 2016, Microsoft announced the end of production of new Xbox 360 hardware; the company will continue to provide hardware and software support for the platform, as selected Xbox 360 games can be played on Xbox One.<ref name="verge-360endofproduction">{{cite web|title=Microsoft is stopping production of the Xbox 360|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/20/11468704/microsoft-xbox-360-production-ceased|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|accessdate=April 20, 2016}}</ref>

==Hardware==
[[File:Microsoft-Xbox-360-E-wController.jpg|thumb|right|The Xbox 360 E model, announced at 2013's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]], shares many aesthetics with the [[Xbox One]].]]
The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. The official color of the white model is Arctic Chill. It features a port on the top when vertical (left side when horizontal) to which a custom-housed [[hard disk drive]] unit can be attached.

On the Slim and E models, the hard drive bay is on the bottom when vertical (right side when horizontal) and requires the opening of a concealed door to access it. (This does not void the warranty.) The Xbox 360 Slim/E [[Hard disk drive|hard drives]] are standard 2.5" [[Serial ATA|SATA]] laptop drives, but have a custom enclosure and firmware so that the Xbox 360 can recognize it.

===Technical specifications===

Various hard disk drives have been produced, including options at 20, 60, 120, 250, or 320&nbsp;GB. Inside, the Xbox 360 uses the triple-core [[IBM]] designed [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] as its CPU, with each core capable of simultaneously processing two [[thread (computer science)|threads]], and can therefore operate on up to six threads at once. [[Computer graphics|Graphics processing]] is handled by the [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]], which has 10&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of [[eDRAM]]. Its main memory pool is 512&nbsp;MB in size.

===Accessories===

Many accessories are available for the console, including [[Xbox 360 Controller|both wired and wireless controllers]], faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a [[Xbox Live Vision|webcam]] for video chatting, [[dance pad|dance mats]] and [[Gamercize]] for exercise, three sizes of [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|memory units]] and five sizes of [[hard disk drive|hard drives]] (20, 60, 120, 250 (initially Japan only, but later also available elsewhere) and 320&nbsp;GB), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

====Kinect====

[[File:Xbox-360-Kinect-Standalone.png|thumb|A [[Kinect]] sensor device. The Xbox 360 E revision has an Xbox logo to the left of the Xbox 360 branding.|alt=A long, black plastic tube with a stand on its bottom and sensors arrayed along its front. The Xbox 360 brand is displayed next to the sensors.]]
Kinect is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360. It was first announced on June 1, 2009 at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]], under the codename, ''Project Natal''. The add-on [[peripheral]] enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without a [[game controller]] by using gestures, [[speech recognition|spoken commands]] and presented objects and images. The Kinect accessory is compatible with all Xbox 360 models, connecting to new models via a custom connector, and to older ones via a USB and mains power adapter. During their [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]] 2010 keynote speech, Robbie Bach and Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] went on to say that Kinect will be released during the holiday period (November–January) and work with every 360 console. It was released on November 4, 2010

[[File:Xbox 360 Chatpad+controller.png|thumb|right|Xbox 360 Chatpad from the Messenger Kit attached to a wireless controller]]

=== AV output ===
Built-in
* [[HDMI]] (only made after 2007)
* [[S/PDIF]] (only Slim)
* Stereo Audio, [[Composite video|Composite Video]] - [[Phone connector (audio)|Jack 3.5&nbsp;mm]] (only Slim E)
Through AV connector (excluding E models which have no AV connector)
* [[Composite video|Composite Video]]
* [[S-Video]]
* [[SCART|SCART RGB]]
* [[VGA connector|VGA]]
* [[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]]
* [[D-Terminal]]
* [[S/PDIF]]
* [[RCA connector|RCA]] - [[Stereophonic sound|stereo audio]]

===Technical problems===

[[File:Xbox360-ringofdeath.jpg|thumb|Three red lights on the Xbox 360's ring indicator representing a "General Error requiring service of the Console or Power Adapter," commonly nicknamed the "Red Ring of Death."]]

The Xbox 360 (not Slim and E models) has been subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release in 2005, users have reported concerns over its reliability and [[failure rate]].

To aid customers with defective consoles, Microsoft extended the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years for hardware failure problems that generate a "General Hardware Failure" error report. A "General Hardware Failure" is recognized on all models released before the Xbox 360 S by three quadrants of the ring around the power button flashing red. This error is often known as the "[[Red Ring of Death]]". In April 2009 the warranty was extended to also cover failures related to the E74 [[error code]]. The warranty extension is not granted for any other types of failures that do not generate these specific error codes.

Since these problems surfaced, Microsoft has attempted to modify the console to improve its reliability. Modifications include a reduction in the number, size, and placement of components, the addition of dabs of epoxy on the corners and edges of the CPU and GPU as glue to prevent movement relative to the board during heat expansion, and a second GPU heatsink to dissipate more heat. With the release of the redesigned Xbox 360 S, the warranty for the newer models does not include the three-year extended coverage for "General Hardware Failures". The newer Xbox 360 S and E models indicate system overheating when the console's power button begins to flash red, unlike previous models where the first and third quadrant of the ring would light up red around the power button if overheating occurred. The system will then warn the user of imminent system shutdown until the system has cooled, whereas a flashing power button that alternates between green and red is an indication of a "General Hardware Failure" unlike older models where three of the quadrants would light up red.

==Software==

===Interface===

The Xbox 360's original [[graphical user interface]] was the ''Xbox 360 Dashboard''; a [[Tab (GUI)|tabbed interface]] that featured five "Blades" (formerly four blades), and was designed by [[AKQA]] and [[Audiobrain]]. It could be launched automatically when the console [[booting|booted]] without a disc in it, or when the disc tray was ejected, but the user had the option to select what the console does if a game is in the tray on start up, or if inserted when already on. A simplified version of it was also accessible at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version showed the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allowed for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the game.

On November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard was changed from the "Blade" interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center, known as the "New Xbox Experience" or NXE.

Since the console's release, Microsoft has released several updates for the Dashboard software. These updates have included adding new features to the console, enhancing Xbox Live functionality and multimedia playback capabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. Such updates are mandatory for users wishing to use Xbox Live, as access to Xbox Live is disabled until the update is performed.

====New Xbox Experience====

At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new Xbox 360 interface called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE). The update was intended to ease console menu navigation. Its GUI uses the Twist UI, previously used in [[Windows Media Center]] and the [[Zune]]. Its new Xbox Guide retains all Dashboard functionality (including the Marketplace browser and disk ejection) and the original "Blade" interface (although the color scheme has been changed to match that of the NXE Dashboard).

The NXE also provides many new features. Users can now install games from disc to the hard drive to play them with reduced load time and less disc drive noise, but each game's disc must remain in the system in order to run. A new, built-in Community system allows the creation of digitized [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Avatars]] that can be used for multiple activities, such as sharing photos or playing [[Xbox Live Arcade|Arcade]] games like ''[[1 vs 100 (Xbox 360)|1 vs. 100]]''. The update was released on November 19, 2008.

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, the NXE update was the first to require a storage device—at least a 128 MB memory card or a [[hard disk drive|hard drive]].

Microsoft released a further update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard starting on December 6, 2011. It included a completely new user interface which utilizes Microsoft's [[Metro (design language)|Metro design language]], and added new features such as cloud storage for game saves and profiles, live television, [[Microsoft Bing|Bing]] voice search, access to YouTube videos and better support for Kinect voice commands.

===Multimedia===
The Xbox 360 supports videos in [[Windows Media Video]] (WMV) format (including [[High-definition television|high-definition]] and [[Microsoft PlaysForSure|PlaysForSure]] videos), as well as [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] and [[MPEG-4]] media. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of [[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4 ASP]] format videos. The console can also [[Avatar (computing)|display pictures]] and perform slideshows of photo collections with various transition effects, and supports audio playback, with [[Digital audio player|music player]] controls accessible through the Xbox 360 Guide button. Users may play back their own music while playing games or using the dashboard, and can play music with an interactive visual synthesizer.

Music, photos and videos can be played from standard USB [[Data storage device|mass storage devices]], Xbox 360 proprietary [[Data storage device|storage devices]] (such as memory cards or Xbox 360 hard drives), and servers or computers with [[Windows Media Center]] or [[Windows XP]] with [[Service pack]] 2 or higher within the local-area network in streaming mode. As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the [[Universal Plug and Play|UPnP]] AV protocol, some alternative UPnP servers such as uShare (part of the [[GeeXboX]] project) and [[MythTV]] can also stream media to the Xbox 360, allowing for similar functionality from non-Windows servers.
This is possible with video files up to HD-resolution and with several [[codec]]s (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV) and [[container format (digital)|container formats]] (WMV, MOV, TS).

As of October 27, 2009, UK and Ireland users are also able to access live and on-demand streams of [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky television]] programming.

At the 2007, 2008, and 2009 [[Consumer Electronics Show]]s, Microsoft had announced that [[IPTV]] services would soon be made available to use through the Xbox 360. In 2007, Microsoft chairman [[Bill Gates]] stated that IPTV on Xbox 360 was expected to be available to consumers by the holiday season, using the [[Microsoft TV IPTV Edition]] platform. In 2008, Gates and president of Entertainment & Devices [[Robert J. Bach|Robbie Bach]] announced a partnership with [[BT Retail|BT]] in the United Kingdom, in which the [[BT Vision]] advanced TV service, using the newer [[Microsoft Mediaroom]] IPTV platform, would be accessible via Xbox 360, planned for the middle of the year. BT Vision's DVR-based features would not be available on Xbox 360 due to limited hard drive capacity. In 2010, while announcing version 2.0 of Microsoft Mediaroom, Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] mentioned that AT&T's [[U-verse]] IPTV service would enable Xbox 360s to be used as set-top boxes later in the year. As of January 2010, IPTV on Xbox 360 has yet to be deployed beyond limited trials.

In 2012, Microsoft released the Live Event Player, allowing for events such as video game shows, beauty pageants, award shows, concerts, news and sporting events to be streamed on the console via Xbox Live. The first live events streamed on Live were the 2012 [[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] Golden Gods, Microsoft's E3 2012 media briefing and the [[Miss Teen USA 2012]] beauty pageant.

===XNA community===

XNA Community is a feature whereby Xbox 360 owners can receive community-created games, made with Microsoft XNA Game Studio, from the XNA Creators Club.  The games are written, published, and distributed through a community managed portal.  XNA Community provides a channel for digital videogame delivery over Xbox Live that can be free of royalties, publishers and licenses. XNA game sales, however, did not meet original expectations, though [[Xbox Live Indie Games]] (XBLIG) has had some "hits."

== Game development ==

PartnerNet, the developers-only alternative [[Xbox Live]] network used by developers to beta test game content downloads and games developed for [[Xbox Live Arcade]], runs on Xbox 360 [[debugging|debug]] kits, which are used both by developers and by the gaming press. In a podcast released on February 12, 2007, a developer breached the PartnerNet [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA) by commenting that he had found a playable version of ''[[Alien Hominid]]'' and an unplayable version of ''[[Ikaruga]]'' on PartnerNet. A few video game journalists, misconstruing the breach of the NDA as an invalidation of the NDA, immediately began reporting on other games being tested via PartnerNet, including a remake of ''[[Jetpac]]''. (''Alien Hominid'' for the Xbox 360 was released on February 28 of that year, and ''Ikaruga'' was released over a year later on April 9, 2008. ''Jetpac'' was released for the Xbox 360 on March 28, 2007 as ''[[Jetpac Refuelled]]''.) There have also been numerous video and screenshot leaks of game footage on PartnerNet, as well as a complete version of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I]]'', which caused for the whole PartnerNet service to be shut down overnight on April 3, 2010. In the following days, [[Microsoft]] reminded developers and journalists that they were in breach of NDA by sharing information about PartnerNet content and asked websites to remove lists of games in development that were discovered on the service. Sega used feedback from fans about the leaked version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I to refine it before they eventually released it.

Additionally, a pair of hackers played their modded Halo 3 games on PartnerNet in addition to using PartnerNet to scoop up unreleased and untested software. The duo passed their hacked Halo pics to their friends before they were eventually caught by Bungie engineers who left a message for the hackers on PartnerNet which read "Winners Don't Break Into PartnerNet.". Other games that were leaked in the PartnerNet fiasco include [[Shenmue]] and Shenmue 2.

[[Category:Microsoft consoles]]