Xbox turns 25 on Sunday, November 15, and Microsoft is marking it with free items in six of its biggest games, a profile badge and a personal “Playback” recap. Some are added automatically, one needs a code, and two have deadlines that are easy to miss. Here is every Xbox 25th anniversary freebie, exactly how to claim it and when it runs out.
Last checked on November 14, 2026, 14:30 CET. Official Items, codes and dates come from Xbox Wire’s FanFest recap (November 12) and its anniversary badge post. The Sea of Thieves emote is listed by Pure Xbox as a Game Pass perk.
Every free Xbox 25th anniversary item
| Game | Item | How to claim | Deadline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gears of War: E-Day | Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skin Set | In-game shop, claim for free | Free until the shop rotates on Tue Nov 17; then Coins or premium currency | Free (for now) |
| Halo: Campaign Evolved | Damascus Prototype Armor Style | Halo Waypoint redemption page, code GWT9-DNBT-7X9S-DJCX-8KH3 | None given | Free |
| Forza Horizon 6 | GR GT Anniversary Livery (cover car) | Message Center > Gifts tab | None given | Free |
| Minecraft (Bedrock) | OG Green Character Creator item | Dressing room | Dec 10, 10 a.m. PT (19:00 CET) | Free, 1 per account |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | 4 anniversary liveries (737 MAX, XCub, balloon, Skyship 600) | Automatic, in the Aircraft Livery menu | None | Free |
| Sea of Thieves | X25 Emote | Game Pass page > My Benefits (Perks) | Nov 30 | Needs Game Pass |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | Inner Circuit M4 Blueprint in OG Green | Digital pre-order/Vault Edition on Xbox Series X|S | n/a | Paid |
Already have the Halo armour? Some players redeemed the same Damascus style when it was first offered in July, a Pure Xbox reader notes, so the code may show as used on your account.
Account-wide extras
| Extra | What it is | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox 25th Anniversary badge | Profile badge, granted when you sign in on console, PC or the Xbox app | End of 2026 |
| Xbox Playback | Your personal history: first game, total hours, most-played game, longest streak | End of 2026 |
| 25 original Xbox games on PC | Backward compatibility on PC, achievements in select games (you need to own or buy them) | Ongoing |
| Halo Firefight | Co-op survival mode in Halo: Campaign Evolved, free Winter Update | Date not announced |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages Slaughter Mode | New mode on Nov 16, needs Revelations DLC or Premium Edition | From Nov 16 |
Our full lists of the 25 original Xbox games on PC and of everything announced at Xbox FanFest have more detail.
Our 5-minute checklist for anniversary weekend
- Sign in to your Xbox profile once to pick up the badge.
- If you play Gears of War: E-Day, claim the weapon skins before Tuesday, November 17, when they stop being free.
- Redeem the Halo code on Halo Waypoint while signed in with your Xbox account.
- Open Forza Horizon 6’s Message Center and collect the livery from Gifts.
- Game Pass member? Claim the Sea of Thieves emote by November 30.
- Claim the Minecraft skin by December 10 at 10 a.m. PT (19:00 CET).
Our math Six of the seven in-game items are free if you already own the game (Sea of Thieves needs Game Pass). Only the Modern Warfare 4 blueprint needs a purchase. Nothing here requires buying the $899.99 anniversary console.
Why November 15?
The original Xbox launched in North America on November 15, 2001, alongside Halo: Combat Evolved. In her anniversary memo, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wrote that Xbox has built four console generations “with a fifth on the way”, and that 111 employees who have been there for 25 years will get an engraved console (Xbox Wire). The anniversary lands four days before GTA 6 arrives on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming on November 19.
FAQ
What do you get for the Xbox 25th anniversary?
Free anniversary items in Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Forza Horizon 6, Minecraft and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, a Sea of Thieves emote for Game Pass members, a profile badge and Xbox Playback.
What is the Halo Xbox 25th anniversary code?
GWT9-DNBT-7X9S-DJCX-8KH3, redeemed on Halo Waypoint, unlocks the Damascus Prototype Armor Style in Halo: Campaign Evolved, according to Xbox Wire.
How long are the Gears of War E-Day anniversary skins free?
Until the in-game shop rotates on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. After that they move to the barracks and cost Coins or premium currency.
When does the Minecraft OG Green skin expire?
You must claim it by December 10, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT (19:00 CET). It requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
When is the Xbox 25th anniversary?
November 15, 2026. The original Xbox launched in North America on November 15, 2001.
Keep reading on HUDWire
Sources
- Xbox Wire: Thanks for 25 Years, Xbox Players, everything announced (Nov 12, 2026)
- Xbox Wire: 25 Years of Xbox, Asha Sharma (Nov 12, 2026)
- Xbox Wire: Celebrating 25 Years of Play, anniversary badge (Aug 24, 2026)
- Pure Xbox: How to claim all the Xbox 25th anniversary in-game items (Nov 13, 2026)
- Windows Report: Xbox 25th anniversary brings free Halo Firefight update and rewards across six games