Microsoft to Close Xbox 360 Store in 2024
Microsoft has recently announced that it will be shutting down the Xbox 360 Store next year. This means that users of the Xbox 360 console will no longer be able to purchase content directly through the console or the Xbox 360 Marketplace site starting from July 29th, 2024.
However, players who continue to use their old Xbox 360 consoles after the closure will still have access to all the previously purchased Xbox 360 games and downloadable content (DLC). Even if players have deleted a game they purchased, they will still be able to re-download it. Additionally, players will be able to play these games online, as long as the publisher supports it, and save their game progress to the cloud.
It’s important to note that this closure will not affect the ability to buy backwards compatible Xbox 360 games and DLC on the Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S stores. These titles will continue to be available for purchase on the newer consoles.
However, there is a limitation to the backward compatibility feature. Out of the 2,154 games released for the Xbox 360, only 633 games are considered backward compatible. This means that around 220 digital-only Xbox 360 games that are not backward compatible will no longer be available after the closure. These games will essentially disappear from the console, with a few not being available anywhere else.
According to VGC, this closure will have a significant impact on the availability of certain games on the Xbox 360 platform. It is estimated that approximately 220 digital-only Xbox 360 games will no longer be accessible after the closure, leaving players with limited options.
This decision by Microsoft has sparked mixed reactions among Xbox 360 users. While some are disappointed to see the closure of the store, others understand the need for the company to focus on newer consoles and technologies.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is not uncommon for companies to phase out older platforms and shift their focus to newer ones. Microsoft’s decision to close the Xbox 360 Store is a reflection of this trend.
How will Microsoft’s decision to shut down the Xbox 360 Store affect the options and choices for Xbox 360 users
Microsoft has recently revealed its plans to shut down the Xbox 360 Store in 2024. This means that users of the Xbox 360 console will no longer have the option to purchase content directly through the console or the Xbox 360 Marketplace site after July 29th, 2024.
Nevertheless, gamers who still use their old Xbox 360 consoles following the closure will still be able to access all the Xbox 360 games and downloadable content (DLC) they have previously purchased. Even if players have deleted a game, they will still be able to re-download it. Additionally, players will have the ability to play these games online, as long as the publisher continues to support it, and save their game progress to the cloud.
It’s worth noting that the closure of the Xbox 360 Store does not impact the ability to purchase backwards compatible Xbox 360 games and DLC on the Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S stores. These titles will remain available for purchase on the newer consoles.
However, there is a caveat to the backward compatibility feature. Out of the 2,154 games released for the Xbox 360, only 633 games are currently considered backward compatible. This means that around 220 digital-only Xbox 360 games that are not backward compatible will no longer be accessible after the closure. These games will essentially disappear from the console, with some becoming unavailable elsewhere.
According to VGC, the closure of the Xbox 360 Store will have a notable impact on the availability of certain games on the Xbox 360 platform. It is estimated that approximately 220 digital-only Xbox 360 games will no longer be accessible after the closure, leaving players with limited options.
This decision by Microsoft has received mixed reactions from Xbox 360 users. While some express disappointment over the closure of the store, others understand the company’s need to shift focus towards newer consoles and technologies.
As the gaming industry continues to progress, it is common for companies to retire older platforms and concentrate on newer ones. Microsoft’s decision to close the Xbox 360 Store aligns with this trend.
This is sad news for Xbox 360 users, but it’s understandable considering the console’s age. Hopefully, Microsoft will continue to provide support for backward compatibility on newer consoles.