Who Created Xbox Live? Microsoft.

Xbox Live was developed, launched, and is operated by Microsoft. It debuted on November 15, 2002, alongside the original Xbox, as the first unified, broadband-only console online service.

Key Milestones

• 2002: Launch with MechAssault, Unreal Championship, Whacked! – friends list, voice chat, matchmaking, downloads.
• 2004: Halo 2 explodes popularity—2M+ subscribers.
• 2005: Xbox 360 launch – Gamerscore, Achievements, Marketplace, Party Chat.
• 2010: Xbox Live on Windows Phone / Games for Windows Live.
• 2014: Xbox One – "Xbox Live" rebranded as underlying platform; "Xbox Live Gold" for multiplayer.
• 2021: Renamed Xbox Network (the infrastructure) vs. Xbox Game Pass Core (the subscription). Same service, clearer naming.

Microsoft built it, owns it, and continues evolving it across console, PC, and cloud.