Template:Game Equipment

Xbox One Console

Summary

Xbox is a gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The Xbox gaming console has been around since 2001 and since then, the brand has grown into a massive ecosystem of devices (link), games (link), accessories (link), and services (link).

Best Practices

This section includes tips and how-tos that have been used throughout different gaming programs. The following are only best practices and can be modified to best fit your programs needs and restrictions.

Policies & Procedures

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Sanitizing

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Account Settings & Management

Microsoft accounts grant users access to all of Microsoft's products, including Xbox, with one login. To play on Xbox, users must have a Microsoft account. The account can be created using an existing email address (ie @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, etc.) or creating a new email address using Microsoft's Outlook domain (@outlook.com). Steps on how to create in subsection?

Microsoft Family Safety

For the most control over the security, privacy, and content settings of a Microsoft account, the Microsoft Family Safety app uses "parent" and "child" accounts. These separate accounts are connected in a Family Group so that the "parent" can set restrictions on the "childs" account. Types of restrictions that the parent can enforce include: screen time limits, content rating limits, spending limits, and social permissions.

Services & Subscriptions

Xbox Live Gold

Also commonly known as Xbox Network or Xbox Live, this service launched in 2002 and provided gamers with a way to play games with a network of gamers all over the world on Xbox consoles. The network operates as a subscription service that grants access to online multiplayer games and social communities to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Any local co-op/multiplayer games could still be played on Xbox consoles without Xbox Live Gold memberships. Xbox Live subscribers also receive free games every month ("Games with Gold") that can be downloaded and owned on the player's account indefinitely. Free-to-play games like Fortnite: Battle Royale, require Xbox Live Gold memberships to open the game, let alone play it. Xbox Live Gold memberships are applied to a single Microsoft account and cannot be shared between multiple accounts.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass launched in 2017 as a service that offers gamers a catalog of hundreds of games for one monthly price. Today, it has grown to host even more games and benefits in different ways for different kinds of gamers. Think: the "Netflix" of Xbox games. Very few games are removed from the catalog each month, but you do receive a members-only discount on games from Game Pass that you want to buy and keep forever. It's a great, cost-efficient way to try out new games or widen the offering of game options to players of all backgrounds and experience. This service requires internet access to operate. It does not require an Xbox Live Gold membership, unless you're looking to play an online title from the catalog. Xbox Game Pass memberships are applied to a single Microsoft account and cannot be shared between multiple accounts.

Xbox Game Pass for Console

This tier of Game Pass provides Xbox-only players with a catalog of hundreds of games. Any game on Xbox Game Pass can be played on Xbox consoles (Xbox One & newer) for however long the title is available in the catalog. Not every title that is on Xbox Game Pass for Console is available on Xbox Game Pass for PC, and vice versa.

Xbox Game Pass for PC

This tier of Game Pass provides PC-only players with a catalog of hundreds of games. Any game on Xbox Game Pass can be played on PC (should the PC meet minimum system requirements) for however long the title is available in the catalog. Not every title that is on Xbox Game Pass for Console is available on Xbox Game Pass for PC, and vice versa. Xbox Game Pass for PC also includes access to EA Play, a subscription service from developers, EA, that features popular EA games at no additional cost.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

This tier of Xbox Game Pass combines the benefits of Xbox Game Pass (Console and PC versions), Xbox Live Gold, and EA Play. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also enables access to games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. It is the all-in-one tier for all Xbox Gaming services.

Types of consoles

The generations of Xbox consoles that remain widely used across gaming programs are the Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X (links to all subsections). Previous generations that you may encounter less often are the Xbox (original) and Xbox 360.

Xbox One

Released in 2013, the Xbox One fueled content and accessories across multiple generations of Xbox. These consoles are still seen in some programs, as they remain compatible with many of the new Xbox equipment and games that are released today.

Xbox One S

The next gen of the Xbox One lineup was released in 2016, with improved graphics and capabilities, as well as an updated design. The accessories and games that were playable on the previous Xbox One remained playable on the new Xbox One S. In 2019, the Xbox One S re-released an "All-Digital" version of the console that excluded a disc drive, prioritizing the use of digitally-downloaded games from Xbox Game Pass or the Microsoft Store.

Xbox One X

Following the Xbox One S, the Xbox One X was released in 2017 as the next step-up from the Xbox One S. The One S and One X remained on the market alongside each other, the One X as the higher-end option. Most accessories and games that were compatible with the Xbox One and One S remained compatible with the One X.

Xbox Series S

Microsoft's most recent installment of consoles are the Xbox 'Series' devices. These launched in 2020. The Series S and Series X were released alongside each other, with the Series S being the "low-end" option compared to the Series X. The Series S lacks a disc drive, prioritizing digital downloads and cloud play. The Series S supports 1440p resolution at 60 frames per second, as well as scaling up to 4K resolution with certain games and content. Updated and enhanced "Xbox Series S|X" versions of games are being released for these new consoles, however most developers continue to release Xbox One standard versions for access on previous-generation consoles, as well. Most accessories that were compatible with Xbox One S/X consoles are still compatible with the Series S/X consoles.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft's most recent installment of consoles are the Xbox 'Series' devices. These launched in 2020. The Series S and Series X were released alongside each other, with the Series X being the "high-end" option compared to the Series S. The Series X has a disc drive, as well as support for up to 8K resolution at 120 frames per second with certain titles. Updated and enhanced "Xbox Series S|X" versions of games are being released for these new consoles, however most developers continue to release Xbox One standard versions for access on previous-generation consoles, as well. Most accessories that were compatible with Xbox One S/X consoles are still compatible with the Series S/X consoles.

Xbox (original)

The original Xbox console launched back in 2001. In 2002, shortly after the console launch, the first online capabilities of Xbox games were released to the public. These online services grew into the massive network we now know as Xbox Live. All of the equipment and accessories that paired with this console are no longer compatible with the recent-generation consoles. A catalog of certain games from this era, however, have been made compatible via digital downloads from the Microsoft Store. Some titles are even available on Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 console followed the original Xbox with a release date in 2005. Several improvements were delivered in this generation from the previous. 2 more "versions" of the Xbox 360 console were launched as well, one being the Xbox 360 S (Slim) and the other being the Xbox 360 E. These versions offered overall smaller housing and different internal storage options. Many of the accessories made for this generation of Xbox are no longer compatible with the new-gen consoles. Many games have been made compatible - mostly for digital purchase from the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass, some compatible with the original Xbox 360 disk.

Additional Resources

Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC)

The Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) released in 2018 as a customizable controller solution designed for gamers with disabilities. The XAC provides a less-expensive alternative for players with disabilities, all while being compatible with many external inputs already on the market. Microsoft closely collaborated with organizations such as The AbleGamers Foundation, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Special Effect, and Warfighter Engaged to design this controller to be as adaptive as possible. The XAC features two large buttons on the face of the controller and inputs along the sides that allow specific accessories to be programmed to certain functions of the controller. In addition to it's hardware programmability, software exclusive to Xbox enables further customization. This customization includes being able to have two separate controllers (standard or XAC) act as one single controller - this feature is called Copilot. On the software side as well, sensitivity and "shift-press" functions can be designated. There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution for assembling the best XAC setup for players; it can be tailored to each players specific needs.

Adaptive & Inclusive options

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