Xbox celebrates 25 years with fanta flavors & in-game loot
Microsoft’s quarter-century milestone is getting a fizzy twist. To mark 25 years of Xbox, the tech giant is partnering with Fanta to launch a series of limited-edition cans and bottles, each themed around popular Xbox franchises. Forget commemorative coins; this is commemorative carbonation.
A flavor for every gamer
Starting April 6th, fans can scan QR codes on specially marked Fanta packaging to unlock exclusive in-game rewards and Xbox-related prizes. But the collaboration goes beyond mere branding. Fanta has even concocted a brand-new flavor – Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry – specifically for this occasion. The lineup is a vibrant mix: Forza Horizon 6 gets a Grape twist, Call of Duty an Orange burst, Diablo 4 a Crimson Sour Cherry punch, and Halo a Pineapple zing. World of Warcraft rounds out the collection with a Strawberry flavor.
The rewards don’t stop at virtual trinkets. Players can win Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, Xbox controllers, an Xbox Series S console, and even the new ROG Xbox Ally by completing Fanta Rewards Chest challenges. The digital goodies are equally enticing, including The Master Chief’s Fantastic Spartan Armor in Halo: Campaign Evolved, a Fantastical Goblin Waveshredder Mount in World of Warcraft, a Tactical Orange Calling Card and 2XP token for Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 7, a Citron Whirl Town Portal in Diablo IV, and a 1966 Toyota Sports 800 Fanta Edition for Forza Horizon 6.
A diablo-themed spectacle awaits
But perhaps the most intriguing element is a Diablo 4 fan event scheduled for Los Angeles from May 22-25. Attendees will face off against Mephisto himself, who’s apparently locked away prizes—and, presumably, plenty of chilled Fanta—within his domain. It’s a delightfully absurd, and potentially fizzy, confrontation.
Beyond this sugary celebration, Microsoft has a packed pipeline. The Xbox Games Showcase is slated for June, and preparations are underway for Gears of War: E-Day’s dedicated post-show Direct. Looking further ahead, 2026 sees the return of the Fable reboot and another installment in the Halo saga. Playground Games’Forza Horizon 6 is set to rev its engines in May, promising a fresh open-world racing experience. As Simon Cardy, Senior Editor at IGN, notes, he can usually be found immersed in open-world games or lamenting the fates of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets – a sentiment many can relate to.
The partnership between Xbox and Fanta, while seemingly whimsical, underscores a growing trend: brands leveraging unexpected collaborations to capture attention in an increasingly saturated market. It’s a bold strategy, but one that might just leave gamers feeling refreshed.