Xbox has introduced the Xbox Excellence Awards, which picks its winners based on how players engaged with Xbox games over the past year. It has four different categories, and they're much different than the typical ones we've seen like "Game of the Year" or "Best RPG." The four categories are Store Rating, Player Engagement, Daily Active Users, and Units Sold.For Store Rating, it measures the highest-rated content across all of Microsoft and Xbox's stores in 2024, provided the games have a minimum of 500 ratings each. Player Engagement measures games with he highest average hours per player within the first six weeks of release. Daily Active Users measures games, expansions, and major updates with the highest single active user count in 2024. This particular category can also include games that weren't released in 2024.Lastly, Units Sold simply refers to the top-selling content across Microsoft and Xbox stores. The list also doesn't order them in terms of quantity or numerically like a "top-downloaded games" list, but rather alphabetically.As for Xbox this upcoming year, Xbox Games Studios is starting off strong during the first half of 2025. Avowed launches on February 18, followed by South of Midnight on April 8, and then Doom: The Dark Ages on May 15. As for third-party support, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ninja Gaiden 4 are set to release on April 24 and in Fall 2025, respectively, with both games launching day-one on Game Pass. Store RatingBalatroBanishers: Ghosts of New EdenBotany ManorLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthLittle Kitty, Big CityLollipop Chainsaw RePopMetaphor: ReFantazioNobody Wants to DiePersona 3 ReloadPoppy Playtime: Chapter 1, 2, 3Return to GraceRoundsSenuas Saga: Hellblade IIShin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceSonic x Shadow GenerationsStill Wakes the DeepThe Lord of the Rings: Return to MoraThe Outlast TrialsUnicorn OverlordWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Player EngagementDragon Age: The VeilguardDragons Dogma 2EA Sports College Football 25EA Sports FC 25F1 Manager 2024Farming Simulator 25Final Fantasy XIV: DawntrailHouse Flipper 2Like a Dragon: Infinite WealthMetaphor: ReFantazioMLB The Show 24NBA 2K25New World: AeternumNHL 25Path of Exile 2Shin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceSkull and BonesStar Wars OutlawsWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2WWE 2K24 Daily Active UsersApex LegendsCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dead Island 2Diablo IV: Vessel of HatredEA Sports College Football 25EA Sports FC 25Elden Ring Shadow of the ErdtreeFallout 4FortniteForza Horizon 5Grand Theft Auto OnlineIndiana Jones and the Great CircleMarvel RivalsMinecraftMLB The Show 24PalworldRobloxRocket LeagueStalker 2 Heart of ChornobylTom Clancys Rainbow Six Siege Units Sold7 Days to DieAvatar: Frontiers of PandoraCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dragon Age: The VeilguardDragon Ball: Sparking! ZeroDragons Dogma 2EA Sports College Football 25EA Sports FC 25EA Sports Madden NFL 25Farming Simulator 25Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024MLB The Show 24NBA 2K25NHL 25PalworldPhasmophobiaStar Wars OutlawsThe Lord of the Rings: Return to MoriaWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2WWE 2K24