Xbox 25th anniversary adds free badge and FanFest tour

Microsoft has launched a new wave of community-focused activities as part of its yearlong celebration of the Xbox brand’s 25th anniversary, while separate reports based on leaked documents indicate a major expansion of backward compatibility for PC and future hardware is planned. The anniversary initiatives center on free digital rewards and a global tour, while the purported roadmap aims to make classic Xbox and Xbox 360 games widely accessible beyond consoles.

Starting August 5, every player who signs into their Xbox account on console, PC, or mobile automatically receives a free 25th Anniversary profile badge, featuring the anniversary logo and the dates 2001-2026. The badge remains claimable through the end of 2026. Microsoft has also partnered with community creators Klobrille and Ben Kenobi to release a collection of free customization options, including new gamerpics, dynamic backgrounds, and console themes, available now on Xbox consoles and the Xbox PC app.

Furthermore, the company has detailed the schedule for its global FanFest Tour, with the next stop at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, on August 26. Additional confirmed stops include Tokyo, London, Mexico City, Sydney,...