Xbox and Halo Came Out 15 Years Ago Today

[UPDATE] Microsoft published some statistics from the first 15 years of Xbox that speak to the brand's enormity and reach.

• Number of players: 222,468,423
• Number of total gaming hours: 100,539,390,670
• Number of total multiplayer hours: 29,000,304,183
• Number of Achievements unlocked: 32,667,582,157
• Gamerscore racked up: 572,605,554,587
• Highest Gamerscore: 1,416,465
• Number of Xbox Live friendships made: 4,233,891,482

Additionally, Xbox designer Seamus Blackley shared some images to celebrate the anniversary.

The original story is below.

November 15, 2001. That was the day that Microsoft released the original Xbox, with a launch lineup that included a game called Halo: Combat Evolved from Bungie.

Today is November 15, 2016, meaning the console and Halo are now 15 years old.

Microsoft is celebrating the milestone in a few ways. First, Xbox marketing director Aaron Greenberg is taking over the Xbox Snapchat account today to celebrate the anniversary. Additionally, Halo developer 343 Industries will hold a livestream today, beginning at 3:43 PM PT to mark the event.

The Xbox brand was not always successful on a level that it is today. Former Xbox director Robbie Bach said earlier this year that the console was a huge money-loser to the tune of $5 billion. The brand survived, he said, due to the successes of Xbox Live and the original Halo, both of which remain cornerstone's of the Xbox business today.

Microsoft followed up the Xbox with 2005's Xbox 360, while the Xbox One came out in 2013. The next Xbox console, Project Scorpio, is slated to hit shelves in holiday 2017. The Xbox One has been on a win streak, as it's been the top-selling console in the United States for four straight months, outselling the PlayStation 4 since July.

What are some of your favorite Xbox and Halo memories from over the years? Let us know in the comments below.