Achievements, matchmaking, digital distribution, and more -- we chart Xbox 360's innovations.
Achievements? A downloadable game marketplace? High-definition graphics? These terms have become so commonplace in the console gaming lexicon that it's easy to forget just five short years ago, they essentially didn't exist. Whether you're an Xbox 360 fanatic, a PlayStation 3 admirer, or a Nintendo enthusiast, we can all hopefully agree on one thing -- the 360 has brought along a lot of innovation. In honor of the console's November 22nd fifth anniversary, here are just 10 ways that Xbox 360 changed gaming.
High-Definition Graphics
In 2005, the prices of HD televisions were only beginning to reach reasonable levels. Well, that's if you consider around $3,500 reasonable. Even with the cost barrier, Microsoft clearly believed that high-definition gaming was the future. HD televisions are now in 56% of homes, and many gamers have come to expect crystal clear graphics when playing big, triple-A titles. After all, what's the point of teabagging your friend in Halo if it's not presented in stunning, 1920x1080 resolution?
Achievements
The sound of an achievement being unlocked -- bloop! -- followed by the little on-screen notification, has become an iconic symbol in gaming. It became so popular, in fact, that Sony followed suit with the Trophy system on the PlayStation 3. Achievements have allowed developers to present players with additional challenges that may have otherwise gone unnoticed, upping the replay value of a number of games. Of course, they also probably brought out previously dormant obsessive-compulsive disorders. Remember, there's no achievement for straightening out the fringe on your area rug with a pocket comb at 3 a.m.
Microsoft Points
Love them or hate them, the Xbox 360's Microsoft Points represent the first instance of a gaming network maintaining its own currency. Some may argue -- understandably so -- that the conversion from real-life dollars to points constitutes an attempt on Microsoft's part to deceive consumers as to the actual cost of downloadable content. But the bizarre point conversion has become indoctrinated among Xbox 360 owners, and the ability to use the same points across multiple marketplaces (Live, Zune, Games for Windows) is rather convenient.
Trial Games
Remember when we were dependent upon gaming magazines to obtain discs loaded with demos? Sure, PC gaming was already light years ahead in terms of digital demo distribution, but console gamers lacked a thorough way to really experience what games had to offer before purchase. Thanks to Xbox Live's "trial game" feature, players gained the ability to test out nearly every game available on the Marketplace, as well as most retail titles. It's nothing to be taken lightly; trial games have allowed even smaller titles the ability to prove to a potential consumer that the game is worth your hard-earned Microsoft Points.
Gamerscore
Competitive, score-based systems have long been an important component of gaming. As if allowing players to unlock achievements wasn't enough, Microsoft assigned points to each goal, solidifying every completionist's unwavering addiction to raising that number displayed by their Gamertag. There's no real tangible need in acquiring a high Gamerscore; it exists purely in the realm of bragging rights. Still, it's a powerful tool in motivating people to purchase more games. "You're not going to allow Bill to have a higher Gamerscore, are you? Here, leave Bill in the dust with another 1,000 points courtesy of this $60 title."
A True Entertainment Hub
For years, electronics enthusiasts speculated that one day, every home would have a centralized entertainment hub. Gone would be the need for multiple components; video players, music players, game systems, etc. The 360 signified a large step in the direction of that dream, at least in terms of gaming consoles. Want to quit playing your game and listen to some music? Move from your music library to a downloaded movie, or maybe watch a streaming television show on Netflix? It's accessible via the 360's dashboard, and that same design model has lead to other devices, like the PlayStation 3, elevating systems to more than just game machines.
Multitasking
What's the point of having all kinds of cross-multimedia functionality if it can't be accessed on the fly? 360's ability to seamlessly move between different media sources, via a quick menu-button press, is one of its most enjoyable features. It seems hard to remember now, but the concept of using the same machine to listen to your own music library, while playing your favorite game, was previously relegated to PC gaming.
Digital Distribution
Sure, 360 didn't invent the concept of digital distribution. Valve's Steam service, for example, has been offering game downloads since 2003. That's the thing: there are concepts provided in this list that PC gaming did first, but Xbox 360 made them conveniently available to console players. Yes, downloadable content was available for the Dreamcast as well, but broadband internet and Xbox Live's Game Marketplace made it possible for console gamers to purchase full games online, without the need to even enter a brick-and-mortar store. What's more, thanks to the distribution of Microsoft's XNA development kit, indie game developers have a streamlined, effective place to make their titles available to a mass audience. Of course, that also lead to erotic massage zombie games -- but that's another story.
Matchmaking
Another concept Xbox 360 lifted from PC gaming is effective matchmaking. Previously, console players scoured servers looking for competitive multiplayer matches. Instead, matchmaking has the ability to place players in competitive matches with other players of comparable Gamerscore, rep, location, and language for example. Thanks to this concept, online multiplayer games like Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty gained a surge of popularity. Now, if there was just a way to un-match eight year-old players screaming the f-word into my headset.
Kinect
Yes, it still remains to be seen just how much of an impact Kinect will have on gaming. Microsoft is marketing Kinect's sans-controller functionality as being the next big evolution for the Xbox. Obviously, the accessory is a technological advancement, but it's just too early to tell if Kinect is a game-changing innovation or just another toy. Regardless, it's a fitting tribute to the risks Microsoft has taken with the Xbox over the last five years.
