Microsoft Launches Xbox 25th Anniversary Celebration With Free Perks and Game Pass Showcase
It’s also highlighting classic titles from the past two and a half decades on Game Pass.
Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox brand began rolling out free digital gifts and launching a retrospective campaign for players as it kicks off celebrations ahead of its 25th anniversary on Nov. 15.
Starting today, players logging into Xbox across console, PC, or the Xbox mobile app through the end of the year will receive an exclusive 25th-anniversary profile badge. Microsoft has also released custom gamerpics, profile themes, and dynamic console backgrounds created in collaboration with community artists Klobrille and Ben Kenobi.
Console users can access the cosmetics by navigating to Settings > Profile > Customize profile for gamerpics and themes, or Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic background. On the Xbox app for PC, users can update artwork via the View Profile menu under the pencil icon or Customize profile tab. Microsoft noted that while digital perks are free, hardware releases such as the previously announced translucent green Xbox Series X special edition remain paid items.
Alongside the digital collectibles, Microsoft is utilizing its Game Pass service to highlight prominent titles from Xbox’s 25-year catalog, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Fable Anniversary, Fallout 4, and Psychonauts 2. Additional announcements are scheduled to be published on a dedicated Xbox anniversary website in the months leading up to the Nov. 15 anniversary date.
The milestone marks two and a half decades since the original Xbox launched on Nov. 15, 2001, establishing Microsoft as a core console manufacturer alongside competitors Sony and Nintendo. The campaign comes during a wider operational shift across Microsoft’s gaming division following internal studio restructurings and job cuts across teams that developed several of the brand’s signature titles.
