Microsoft is one company that has contributed to almost everything in technology. However, besides Windows, apps, and phones, a big area where the Mountain View giant’s presence lies is gaming. Over the last five decades, the company has been a master architect of video games, weaving its influence through every pixel and line of code. As we stand on the iconic day of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, I thought of setting out on a nostalgic odyssey, a journey through time, to unearth five genre-defining gems from each decade that etched MS’ name into the soul of gaming. Prepare for a cascade of memories, a symphony of retro soundscapes, and a celebration of the titles that dared to redefine the rules.
1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0
Image Credit: Microsoft
- Release Date : November 1982
- Platform(s) : IBM PC
When Bruce Artwick of Sublogic created the FS1 Flight Simulator, who knew what was coming for all the fans? Within two years, Microsoft brought the creator on board to make the first Microsoft Flight Simulator. The gameplay was simple: you fly a Cessna 182 in one of four US regions: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, or Seattle. Another game mode could fly the Sopwith Camel and shoot enemy aircraft. But what made the game such a standout for its era?
I know you might think the game’s mechanics seem primitive, but imagine that in 1982, MS Flight Simulator offered things that simulator developers still cannot emulate. By introducing a new degree of realism and showcasing the potential of personal computers as platforms for complex simulations, it went beyond the straightforward arcade experiences of its time. It created a devoted fan base and pushed the limits of graphics and processing power in PC hardware by providing an unparalleled virtual flight experience .
Furthermore, the game’s influence on industry standards was cemented when it was adopted as a benchmark for IBM PC compatibility. More significantly, it broadened the definition of a video game, demonstrating that software could offer experiential and educational benefits in addition to entertainment. In simple terms, Microsoft Flight Simulator 1982 established the fundamental framework for the intricate and tantalizing simulation games that currently characterize the genre.
2. 3D Pinball/Age of Empires II
Image Credit: Microsoft (via GOG)
- Release Date : August 24, 1995 /September 27, 1999
- Platform(s) : Windows 95 – Windows XP/Windows, Mac OS, PS 2
Well, for this decade, I had to pick two games because they both impacted me positively, even if they were released when I was born. Pinball was one of the first games I tried out on Windows 95 OS. Thanks to Microsoft, this simple inclusion changed how much I became a fan of arcade games without visiting a shop. Through a pre-installed operating system, it democratized a genre by bringing pinball , a customarily arcade-bound experience, straight into millions of homes.
A new generation of pinball fans was fostered by this accessibility, which exposed innumerable users to the game’s delights. Particularly in office settings, its straightforward but captivating gameplay offered an easily accessible kind of entertainment, gently influencing the idea that computers are also tools for leisure rather than just work.
Additionally, even though its 3D rendering was simple by today’s standards, it demonstrated the developing graphical capabilities of personal computers. Furthermore, it quietly pushed the limits of what users could expect from their devices. Microsoft quietly normalized PC gaming by incorporating a light-hearted, widely popular game into its operating system, which helped make it a more popular kind of entertainment. But this decade had more to offer, and in 1999, we had another revolution from Microsoft: the big boss of the RTS genre in Age of Empires 2 .
Image Credit: Microsoft
Not just another real-time strategy game, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings altered the genre and made a lasting impression on gaming history. It increased strategic depth by requiring players to grasp complicated unit formations, intelligent civilization-specific tactics, and complex resource management. Its historically accurate setting and depth created an ardent community that appreciated education and gameplay.
Age of Empires II popularized the idea of asymmetrical gaming , in which every civilization provided distinct strengths and flaws, producing engaging and varied experiences. Moreover, it supported the historical RTS, enabling players to actively interact with history and generating interest in medieval battles and societies. Its ongoing appeal, preserved by regular updates and a vibrant competitive scene, confirmed its foundational role in the RTS genre, affecting many later games and shaping the strategic gaming environment for future generations.
3. Halo: Combat Evolved
Image Credit: Microsoft
- Release Date : November 15, 2001
- Platform(s) : Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X
The FPS genre was a problem when the gaming industry hit the 2000s. Yes, we had Doom, which gave birth to the genre, but carrying it forward was a tough job, especially when the first-person perspective was still not something people would accept. In came Microsoft with Halo: Combat Evolved, which reshaped the landscape of first-person shooter (FPS) games.
It was a revolution, not just an Xbox launch title. Through its creative control system, smart enemy AI, and gripping story that plunged players into a rich science fiction world, Halo redefined console FPS gaming. Its focus on strategic combat, with a mix of gunplay, grenades, and melee strikes, set a new benchmark for the category.
I was merely a kid when I first tried Halo: Combat Evolved, but it blasted me with a solid FPS bomb. I could not believe what I witnessed back then, but now that I play games like Valorant or Counter-Strike, I realize that almost every inch of modern FPS is a replica of the first Halo.
Most of the impact on current-gen FPS games comes from Halo’s multiplayer mode . You had both options to play with friends: split-screen and system link. This magnified the trend of console gaming. In short words, Halo: Combat Evolved pushed console sales but laid the blueprint for FPS games for decades to come.
4. Forza Horizon
Image Credit: Microsoft
- Release Date : October 23, 2012
- Platform(s) : Xbox 360
If anyone had asked me before the 2010s, “What is your favorite racing game?” my answer would have always been NFS Most Wanted from 2005. And, in my defense, it was the best racing game I played. The story, the racing scenarios—everything kept me hooked. Then Microsoft thought of entering the racing genre in video games, and Forza Horizon took over my favorite spot.
For me, it was an incredible shift in the open-world racing genre. Before Forza Horizon, everything felt limited in racing games, and I literally mean it. After I asked the game parlor owner to install Forza Horizon on the Xbox 360 so that I could switch from my Most Wanted addiction, I never returned. Well, Forza gave me that much freedom.
By letting players effortlessly move between solo exploration and multiplayer activities, Forza Horizon popularized the idea of a shared open world, thus promoting community and connection. Its dynamic day-night cycle and varied environmental obstacles increased the depth of the experience, thus stretching the limits of what a racing game could provide.
Moreover, the game’s emphasis on culture created a distinct and immersive atmosphere, already setting it apart from its contemporaries. All of this, including an amazing and thoughtful soundtrack, made Forza Horizon the first successful open-world racing game that still dominates the franchise.
5. Starfield
Image Credit: Bethesda/Starfield Shattered Space
- Release Date : September 6, 2023
- Platform(s) : Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Just like any other art form, even video games are bound to run into limitations. Unfortunately, that same problem also hit Microsoft. In the decade leading up to the company’s 50th anniversary, Microsoft’s ambition to give open-world space exploration was commendable with Starfield ( review ). However, gameplay was a significant concern for this ambitious game.
Starfield’s gameplay was engaging, but it struggled fundamentally. The key goal was to separate Starfield from the world of stories like Star Wars or Star Trek. Of course, it manages to accomplish that. But the issue comes from making a difference in the RPG genre. Starfield failed to alter the landscape of RPGs or space exploration games like Halo or Age of Empires II did for their respective genres.
It is a reasonable refinement project that takes all the concepts and tries to improve them. Yes, Starfield has glories and constant updates that fix the experience, but overall, the game was a letdown. Luckily, we are in the middle of this decade so that I will pray for good times. And if Microsoft prefers to go in its direction, making genre-defining experiences, who knows, we will get multiple iconic games that are not remakes or bug-loaded software packs.
Despite the last decade of Microsoft coming with lackluster titles, the company has left its mark with some of the most iconic games over the last 50 years.
A gaming nerd who covers all things video games. Spending time playing games and writing about them was always a dream. Thanks to Beebom, I live it. Once I am done gaming, I write. Once I am done writing, I game. You feel me.
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Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary at a time when technology is about to reshape the world. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in a small rented office in Albuquerque, Microsoft is now the world’s second most valuable company. Over the past 50 years, the software giant has faced many challenges, antitrust lawsuits, and fierce competition, but can it stay ahead in the next five decades? To understand what the next 50 years hold for Microsoft, read on.
What Microsoft’s History Tells Us About the Next 50 Years
Microsoft started as a small company in 1975, developing software for the Altair 8800 — an early personal computer. By 1980, Microsoft needed an operating system to power the IBM PC. So, it acquired 86-DOS and modified it to MS-DOS. MS-DOS became massively popular and by 1985, Microsoft launched its first graphical operating system called Windows 1.0.
Paul Allen and Bill Gates in 1981 | Image Credit: Microsoft
10 years later, in 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95 which was a huge commercial success. For the first time, Microsoft introduced the Start menu, Taskbar, and Windows Explorer. They are still part of the latest Windows 11 OS, even after 30 years.
Following that, Microsoft launched Windows XP, Xbox, and the Office suite, which expanded its footprint in the PC space. Now, 50 years later, Windows has a desktop market share of over 70% , maintaining its position as the dominant OS. In these last 50 years, Microsoft has diversified its business to cloud computing (Azure), gaming (Xbox), productivity (Microsoft 365), and its next big thing – Copilot AI.
Beyond being a consumer-centric company, Microsoft has become a massive corporation that provides its services to enterprise customers as well. In fact, today, Microsoft’s revenue mostly comes from Azure’s cloud infrastructure and AI services. Meanwhile, the remaining revenue comes from Microsoft 365, Windows, and Xbox.
The only major space where Microsoft doesn’t have a footprint is mobile. Windows Phone exited the smartphone OS market in 2020. Bill Gates recently admitted that losing the phone market to Android was his “greatest mistake”. Besides that, Microsoft in 2025 announced that it’s quitting the HoloLens hardware business completely, ending its Mixed Reality vision.
Microsoft’s Role in AGI Development
When Satya Nadella took over Microsoft as the CEO in 2014, the Redmond giant was not in good shape. Nadella ended several struggling projects like the Windows Phone. And focused on its server businesses like Azure cloud, AI, enterprise solutions, and developer relations. As a result, Microsoft has become the world’s second most valuable company by market cap, joining the $3 trillion club in market valuation recently.
The credit largely goes to Satya Nadella for transforming Microsoft in the last decade. Many credit Nadella’s leadership for striking a deal with OpenAI back in 2019. Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI to support the development of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) — an AI system capable of matching human capabilities.
Image Credit: OpenAI via YouTube
So far, Microsoft has invested close to $14 billion in OpenAI and has a 49% ownership stake in the company. This has put Microsoft at the forefront of AI development. The partnership allows Microsoft to exclusively access OpenAI’s latest breakthroughs and AI models. It can also commercialize OpenAI’s models. Thus, allowing the company to integrate the latest AI models into its products. Like Copilot, Microsoft 365, and Azure AI for enterprise offerings.
Not only that, the terms of the partnership say that OpenAI must use Microsoft Azure for all cloud infrastructure needs. Only recently, Microsoft relented and allowed OpenAI to purchase cloud resources from Oracle. Some reports also say that OpenAI has to share 75% of its revenue with Microsoft until the investment is recovered.
Image Credit: Beebom
It means that Microsoft has a huge financial influence over OpenAI’s operations. And in the future, Microsoft will gradually recover its investment while having access to the latest AI technologies. Having said that, the partnership also says that once OpenAI achieves AGI internally, Microsoft will lose access to OpenAI’s technologies.
To keep its lead in the AI race, Microsoft is putting its AI division in order. Microsoft is reportedly developing internal reasoning models to reduce its over-reliance on OpenAI. The company has already trained smaller models such as Phi for everyday use and Muse AI for generating gaming visuals.
Microsoft is also focusing on open-source models including China’s DeepSeek which shocked the world with its efficient training methods. Overall, Microsoft is currently a key player in AI development, leveraging its partnership with OpenAI and developing in-house AI models as well. Until AGI is achieved, expect Microsoft to continue its lead in the AI race.
Microsoft’s Next 50 Years: Future of Windows
While Windows doesn’t directly contribute major revenue for Microsoft through licensing, the platform serves as the foundational bedrock, powering its software, cloud, and enterprise services. On the consumer side, Windows 11 is the latest desktop OS by Microsoft, and it’s evolving into a great operating system. Microsoft is slowly but gradually improving the design language of Windows 11 to offer a consistent PC experience.
Image Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft is putting effort into making Windows 11 a more modular OS . We have already seen that Windows 11’s various elements such as the desktop shell, Taskbar, Notification Center, etc. are being decoupled from explorer.exe to make each component modular and updatable. Microsoft has already showcased Windows 10X (now canceled) which was based on a highly-modular Windows Core OS .
In the future, we might see different flavors of Windows running on various form factors such as foldable devices, tablets, and more. It’s being said that Windows 12 should come with a floating Taskbar and a new modular desktop interface, optimized for touchscreen devices.
Apart from UI/UX improvements, Microsoft is also adding a lot of AI features to Windows 11. Besides current AI features on Windows 11 such as Recall, Semantic Search, Cocreator, etc., the future of Windows lies in Agentic AI -driven integration. Copilot on Windows will be able to perform actions in real-time using the vision capability. Users will be able to voice chat with Copilot and ask it to perform actions on their Windows PCs.
To enable this, Microsoft is already preparing agentic frameworks for Windows like OmniParser, Magentic-One, AutoGen, and Windows Agent Arena to handle complex tasks. While some companies are bringing AI agents to the web browser, Microsoft is taking it to the OS level so that it can perform both system-level and web-based actions . Basically, in the future, you can expect that Windows will become an AI-driven operating system.
To leverage AI for gaming, Microsoft has already showcased its Muse AI model that can generate game visuals and controller actions. It’s quite possible that Generative AI will be tightly integrated into Xbox to enable features such as AI-assisted gameplay, environment generation, personalized experiences, and more.
Microsoft’s In-house Chips and Quantum Computing
Besides software, on the hardware side too, Microsoft is preparing for the future and reducing its reliance on Nvidia . In 2023, Microsoft announced its custom Azure Maia 100 chip for AI workloads. While Google has its own TPU for AI workloads, and Nvidia continues to sell GPUs for AI training and inference, Microsoft needed an in-house chip , hence, Maia 100 was born. It’s an AI accelerator that can run large-scale AI workloads on Azure’s cloud.
The company also announced an Arm-based Azure Cobalt CPU for general-purpose compute workloads, just like Google’s Axion CPU. Since Microsoft has a major cloud business, the chip is going to reduce datacenter costs for Microsoft and cut down dependency on external vendors like Nvidia and Intel.
Majorana 1 | Image Credit: Microsoft
Finally, in February 2025, Microsoft announced its first breakthrough in quantum computing . The company unveiled Majorana 1, a quantum computing chip for quantum computers. Unlike traditional qubits, Majorana 1 uses topological qubits which are said to be more stable and less prone to errors.
For this, Microsoft invented a new class of materials called “topoconductors”. Microsoft claims that Majorana 1 can scale up to 1 million qubits on a single chip. Overall, Microsoft is doing pioneering work in the field of quantum computing while also developing in-house chips to reduce reliance on external vendors.
And as a software-first company, Microsoft is entering the AI era with high expectations, which has the potential to transform its entire ecosystem including Windows, Xbox, Azure, and Microsoft 365. In the next 50 years, we expect Microsoft to lead the industry with fresh innovations, but can it outpace Google and Apple? Only time will tell.
Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.
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