Microsoft has officially announced its decision to close Xbox 360 Store next year.
On July 29, 2024, it will no longer be possible to buy new games, DLC, and other entertainment content from the Xbox 360 store, according to a recent post on the official Xbox Wire blog.
The Xbox 360 Store will be shut down on July 29, 2024, when Microsoft stops allowing users to buy new games, downloadable content (DLC), and other entertainment options through the console. Both direct purchases were made through the Xbox 360 console and purchases were made through the Xbox 360 Marketplace site. However, it's essential to clarify that the closure of the Xbox 360 Store will not spell the end for purchasing backward-compatible Xbox 360 games and DLC. Gamers can breathe a sigh of relief as these titles will remain accessible on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S stores.
Microsoft highlights that although the Xbox 360 Store will shut down on July 29, 2024, users of Xbox 360 consoles using them after that date will still be able to use all of their previously purchased Xbox 360 games and DLC. In addition, it states that players can redownload a game they previously purchased even if they deleted it.
In a curious twist, the impending closure also casts a shadow over the realm of entertainment beyond gaming. The Microsoft Movies & TV app, a stalwart companion to countless movie and TV show enthusiasts, will cease functioning on the Xbox 360 on the same fateful date. This signifies that movies and TV shows purchased via the service will no longer be viewable on Xbox 360 consoles after July 29, 2024. A silver lining exists, however, as these media gems will remain within users' libraries and can still be enjoyed through the Movies & TV app on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
As we navigate this gaming crossroads, the closure of the Xbox 360 Store raises pertinent questions about the fate of digital-only Xbox 360 games that never received the coveted status of backward compatibility. These games, which are solely available in digital format, will find themselves at risk of disappearing into the digital abyss.
The closure will still mean that some digital-only Xbox 360 games that were never made backward compatible will essentially vanish, even though many hundreds of Xbox 360 games are backward compatible and will still be accessible on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S stores.
As the countdown to July 29, 2024, continues, gamers can rest assured that their gaming memories will remain intact, their progress secure, and their adventures far from over.