The evolution of Xbox
Power Your Dreams: 20 years ago, Microsoft released their first ever Xbox. In 2020, the console manufacturer brought the so-called World’s Most Powerful Console to the market with the Xbox Series X. Let’s travel back in time and take a look at the evolution of the four Xbox generations.
First generation: The first Xbox conquers the world
In 2001, American technology giant Microsoft turned the world upside down with the release of their first console: the Xbox. The name is a contraction of DirectX Box, referring to Microsoft’s collection of application programming interfaces. One year later, the Xbox Live service was launched which allowed gamers worldwide to play with each other online.
The first ever Xbox also signified the inauguration of one of the most revolutionary games in history: The Halo franchise. In particular, the 2004 title Halo 2 is regarded as one of the best video games of all time. The console itself was able to display up to a 720p resolution, even though many games came in at just 480p. We all remember the low-poly aesthetic from the early days, but this quickly changed.
Second generation: Xbox 360 and the Kinect revolution
After this resounding success, Microsoft released the second generation of their consoles in 2005. The Xbox 360 got an upgraded online service where users could stream music, movies or TV programmes from PCs. Microsoft also launched Kinect, a motion control system that tracked players’ movements to control the game. This allowed for the development of some unique titles such as dance games, Kinect Adventures! and Sonic Free Riders.
In 2007, the second part of the Forza Horizon series took the fans by storm. The racing game is one of the most successful Xbox exclusives. Over the years, 13 different titles were released under this franchise.
The console supported screen resolutions of 720p and 1080p, which was upgraded again a few years later.
Third generation: Supporting content creators with the Xbox One
Microsoft’s third generation of consoles was titled an “All-in-one entertainment system” in 2013. The Xbox One allowed players to directly record and stream their gameplay on platforms such as Twitch.
An upgraded version titled Xbox One X in 2017 focused on enabling games to be played at 4K resolution at 60 fps, or 1440p at 120 fps. The edition also included the AMD FreeSync feature.
One game that benefitted from the crystal-clear graphics and wide colour gamut was Gears of War 4. The third-person shooter even received an award for “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project”. But the graphics could be upgraded even further.
Fourth generation: The world’s most powerful console, the Xbox Series X/S
Our time travel journey brings us back to the present. In 2020, Microsoft released the current generation of consoles with the Xbox Series X, and its lighter version, the Xbox Series S.
The Xbox Series X has support for 8k resolution at 60 fps, or 4k with up to 120 fps. Many already developed games have received a visual update for the console. New releases amaze with their insanely realistic graphics. Cyberpunk 2077 for example enticed with its futuristic imagery. The visuals of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla make you feel like you’re fighting side by side with real Vikings. The Medium makes your nightmares look like bedtime stories. And best of all: the true visual gems are yet to come.
Power your dreams with the right monitor
Are you now ready to dive into the world of Xbox and build your own battle station? Then take a look at the new Philips 559M1 Momentum series that was specifically designed for Xbox-gamers in cooperation with Microsoft.
Traditional TV monitors often focus on showcasing beautiful and life-like images but neglect fast responsiveness and a short input lag. However, for gamers these values are crucial as they need to absorb, process and react to the action on-screen as fast as possible. This is why the new Philips Momentum series for Xbox aims to combine the best of both worlds: breath-taking images and high responsiveness.
- Philips Momentum 55” 4K Display for Xbox (559M1RYV)
- A 55” panel with 4K resolution and DisplayHDR 1000 for the most stunning and colourful images. The high refresh rate of 144Hz and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro guarantee high FPS and no visual artefacts.
Now, are you ready to power your dreams? All you need is an Xbox and the right monitor, and suddenly, countless virtual worlds are at your fingertips just waiting for you to be explored!