Microsoft has announced that it will shut down the Xbox 360 online store and marketplace on July 29, 2024, ending the digital distribution of games and content for the old console. Xbox 360 users will not be able to purchase and download new games, DLC, movies, TV shows, and other entertainment products from the store after that date. However, they will still be able to play their already purchased games and DLC on the Xbox 360 and newer consoles via backward compatibility, Microsoft said in a post on its website.
The move is part of Microsoft’s focus on its latest consoles and subscription service Game Pass, which offers access to hundreds of games on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows platforms. Microsoft stopped producing new Xbox 360 consoles in 2016, several years after the launch of the Xbox One. The Xbox 360 was released in 2005 and sold more than 84 million units by 2014, making it one of the top-selling consoles of all time and an important part of Microsoft’s rise in the console market.
Xbox 360 Store closure will affect some games and features
The Xbox 360 Store closure will have some implications for certain games and features that rely on the online store and marketplace. For example, the Movies & TV app on the Xbox 360 will no longer work, and users will not be able to redeem any gift cards or codes for the store. Additionally, some games that are not backward compatible with newer consoles will become harder to get and play, as they will only be available in physical form or through second-hand markets. Gaming website TrueAchievements has a list of games that are not playable on newer consoles.
Furthermore, some features that are related to the online store and marketplace will also be unavailable after July 29, 2024. These include trials, add-ons, avatar items, gamerpics, game trailers, videos, gamertag changes, Xbox subscriptions, and in-game purchases on the Xbox 360. However, Microsoft said that nothing will change with the ability to buy Xbox 360 backward-compatible games from Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S stores. The Xbox 360 network will also remain online for multiplayer support as long as the publisher supports online servers.
Xbox 360 users can still enjoy their games and progress on newer consoles
Microsoft assured Xbox 360 users that they can still enjoy their games and progress on newer consoles after the store closure. Users can save their games and progress to the cloud, and if they choose to continue any of those available games on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, those cloud saves will transfer over. Users can also transfer their games and saves using an external hard drive or USB flash drive.
Microsoft also thanked Xbox 360 users for their support and loyalty over the years. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together over these past fifteen years,” it said. “We hope you’ll continue playing with us on your favorite console or PC.” Microsoft also encouraged users to check out its FAQ page for more information about the Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace closure.
