Xbox gamers surprised with major free download to celebrate Microsoft 50th anniversary

Microsoft are giving away a fun little freebie for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X players at the moment, to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary.

Thank you in advance to Comicbook's Logan Moore for the original source!

It’s been 50 years, somehow, since Microsoft first launched back in 1975, although it’s been less than 24 years since the very first Xbox was announced back in 2001.

Even so, Microsoft aren’t leaving Xbox gamers out of the celebration (and Solitaire players are getting something as well, I guess).

As stated in a blog post on Xbox Wire, a brand new 50th anniversary theme is now available for all Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X players as of April 4.

“Celebrate some of the iconic characters that have been part of our shared gaming story over the last five decades – including Master Chief, Marcus Fenix, Vault Boy, and many more – brought together with a new dynamic background,” revealed Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief Joe Skrebels.

Don’t worry about tracking this down on the Xbox storefront though, as it seems it’s automatically been added to all Xbox owners’ profiles. To equip it, just go into the settings menu and the new 50th anniversary theme will already be there waiting for you.

That's not all though, as there are also some free Gamerpics to nab. If you've ever wanted your Xbox profile to sport a floppy disc or the old Microsoft mascot Clippy (for whatever reason), then today is your lucky day.

Also, they updated Microsoft Solitaire. Yeah, this isn't a late April Fools bit. You can now update your cards with the 50th anniversary theme in Microsoft Solitaire, just in case you're a huge Windows Explorer fan.

All of these freebies are available to use right now. Can’t wait to roleplay as Clippy and spam my Xbox Live friends with messages asking if they need assistance.