Microsoft will shut down the Xbox 360 Store in July 2024

[Shawn Knight]

Circle the date: If you still game on Microsoft's Xbox 360, you'll want to circle July 29, 2024, on your calendar. Come that date, Xbox 360 owners will no longer be able to purchase new games, DLC, and other content from the Xbox 360 Store on the console and through the Xbox 360 Marketplace. The Microsoft Movies & TV app will also go dark on the same day, meaning you'll no longer be able to view TV and movie content on the Xbox 360 from that day forward.

Microsoft said the change will not affect your ability to play games or DLC that have already been purchased. This applies to content on the console as well as on the Xbox One and Xbox Series via backward compatibility. As such, Microsoft invites gamers to continue purchasing games and DLC from their stores as usual.

Gamers will also be able to re-download previously purchased content and continue to connect with friends through online multiplayer (so long as the publisher still supports the game's online servers, which isn't always guaranteed). In-game progress will still be able to be saved to the cloud, and progress will transfer over to newer consoles should you continue your journey there.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 launched way back 2005 and as Dave McCarthy, CVP for Xbox player services, notes, a lot has changed since then. Technology has evolved, player expectations have shifted, and Microsoft is focused on making the Xbox Series the best it can be. But that doesn't mean they are abandoning the Xbox 360.

Gamers will still be able to purchase backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles (and original Xbox games and DLC) on Xbox One and Xbox Series after the cutoff date. "We believe in celebrating gaming's rich history and have worked hard to preserve as many games as possible through our backward-compatibility program," McCarthy said.

Physical game discs won't be impacted either, so you'll be able to pop in your favorite game and keep playing unabated.

Used consoles in working condition are readily available on third-party marketplaces like eBay for those interested in gaming on authentic hardware.

Image credit: Arturo Rey, Mashable

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https://www.techspot.com/news/99826-microsoft-shut-down-xbox-360-store-july-2024.html

 

[Theinsanegamer]

RIP to a legend. Arguably the only good console Microsoft has made.

It begs the question though: if you can still buy x360 titles for BC on the xbox one, multiplayer services wills till be up, and you can still connect and redownlaod old purchases......why take away the ability to buy more? Sounds
like they are not really saving any money.

 

[m4a4]

RIP to a legend. Arguably the only good console Microsoft has made.

It begs the question though: if you can still buy x360 titles for BC on the xbox one, multiplayer services wills till be up, and you can still connect and redownlaod old purchases......why take away the ability to buy more? Sounds
like they are not really saving any money.

You're forgetting that there's upkeep to keep the 360 store services alive. If practically no one is using it or buying stuff off of it, it's going to be losing money to maintain and run. And if the majority of games and whatnot are also on and purchasable by the next gen, there's even less incentive to keep it running.

Of all the old console online store sunsetting's I've heard of, this one at least sounds like it's the most considerate towards their customers.

Edit: Clarified store.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

You're forgetting that there's upkeep to keep the 360 online services alive. If practically no one is using it or buying stuff off of it, it's going to be losing money to maintain and run. And if the majority of games and whatnot are also on and supported by the next gen, there's even less incentive to keep it running.

Of all the old console online sunsetting's I've heard of, this one at least sounds like it's the most considerate towards their customers.

Did you read the article first? Because MS is keeping the 360 online services. Voice chat, game connectivity, store downloads, its all still there. You just cant buy new stuff.

So clearly this isnt about cost or player numbers, because if it were they'd shut the rest down too.

 

[m4a4]

Did you read the article first? Because MS is keeping the 360 online services. Voice chat, game connectivity, store downloads, its all still there. You just cant buy new stuff.

So clearly this isnt about cost or player numbers, because if it were they'd shut the rest down too.

Yeah, I meant the store. It still applies.

 

[GhostLegion]

Honestly, not even mad, the fact 360 has retained this much functionality for this long is amazing. Kudos to MS for keeping this around this long. Especially since backwards compatibility will still work. I was just playing Black Ops 2 last night on my Xbox One. Love you MS, sometimes you goof but this is not bad at all.