Xbox is not doing an “Xbox Wrapped” this year — but does have big plans for the 25th anniversary

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Spotify revolutionized how we listen to music, and it also transformed how brands connect with their audiences, especially around the holidays.

I recently checked my bank account after the holidays and was surprised to see a year-end summary, similar to Spotify’s ‘Wrapped,’ highlighting my spending. It was a bit embarrassing, but it really shows how popular those year-in-review features have become.

You’ve probably seen Spotify’s “Wrapped” – that yearly video showing your favorite music. It became so popular that other companies, like PlayStation and YouTube, started creating their own versions highlighting your activity on their platforms. However, Xbox hasn’t released a “Wrapped” for 2024.

A lot of you have been wondering if Xbox will create a personalized “Year in Review” summary of your 2025 gaming activity. According to what I’ve heard, and as you might guess since it’s already the 18th of the month, Xbox isn’t planning a “Wrapped” experience this year, and there’s a likely reason why.

Next year marks a significant milestone for Xbox and many of its key franchises. Xbox will celebrate 25 years since its launch in November 2001, alongside the 25th anniversary of Halo. Blizzard will be celebrating 35 years, and Bethesda will reach its 40th anniversary – a milestone I also share! These companies have a rich history, and next year will be a big celebration for all of them.

Instead of focusing on things like the yearly ‘Xbox Wrapped’ summary, a large portion of the marketing budget is now being used to celebrate significant achievements for Xbox, its various game franchises, and individual games.

I’ve heard Microsoft is planning a major celebration for Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026. That’s why there have been fewer Xbox community events this year – some of the funding was shifted to next year to help cover the larger celebration.

Blizzard is bringing back Blizzcon next year after a hiatus, and it’s expected to be their biggest and most elaborate event yet. They plan to unveil new content for Diablo, World of Warcraft, and potentially StarCraft. Promotional materials included logos for all four major franchises – Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and StarCraft – suggesting that Blizzard still considers StarCraft a key part of its lineup.

As a researcher following the gaming industry, I’ve learned Bethesda has exciting plans for the future. They’re aiming to release new content for Starfield in 2026, and I’m hearing that will include versions for the PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Fallout is also a major focus for them right now, and there’s a possibility we might get a first look at Elder Scrolls 6 sometime next year. Beyond that, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year with a Halo remake planned, plus potential new installments in beloved Xbox franchises like Fable, Gears of War, and Forza.

I expect Xbox to create another memorable experience like “Xbox Wrapped” in 2026, perhaps similar to the interactive Xbox Museum they launched for their 20th anniversary in 2021. It looks like Xbox reserves these big, celebratory moments for major milestones, rather than doing them every year.

Grab your own “Xbox Wrapped” with TrueAchievements

I was bummed to hear there’s no official Xbox Wrapped this year, but thankfully True Achievements has stepped up! They’re able to pull all my official Xbox play data and achievements because they connect directly to Xbox using the same secure login Microsoft uses. It’s a really cool way to still get that personalized year-in-review experience, and I feel safe knowing it’s all legit and secure.

I dove into a lot of new games this year, including Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, The Alters, Atomfall, and Ball x Pit. Surprisingly, though, I spent the most time playing older titles. I was really focused on Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader, completing all the available DLC and getting ready for its sequel, Dark Heresy. I also rediscovered Valheim, and I have a feeling it will soon become my most-played game of the year, surpassing even Rogue Trader.

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2025-12-18 21:41