Xbox One Launch Event
Seattle’s own Macklemore & Ryan Lewis helped celebrate the Xbox One launch in New York City.

If you’re a manager and notice a few people randomly out from work today, well, blame Microsoft.

Today the $499 Xbox One hit shelves after days, months and years of anticipation for the Redmond company’s third gaming console. Microsoft celebrated the big day with launch parties around the world, from Sydney to London to New York.

Celebrities like Seattle’s own Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (who played in New York and not Seattle, unfortunately), New Zealand music sensation Lorde and Irish soccer star Robbie Keane helped drum up excitement last night for Microsoft.

[Related: Yes, you can: How to play Xbox 360 games on Xbox One]

Check out the photos below for more. All images and captions courtesy of Xbox.com.

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Master Chief arrived before midnight to ensure the safe deliver of the first Xbox One.
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3D illumination at Microsoft Berlin.
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Francis King and Angela Tran were the first Australian’s to receive and Xbox One. The couple, who picked up their console at the Sydney event, ordered their console two years ago.
Xbox One Sydney Launch event
To bring in the official countdown to midnight a show stopping 3D water projection marking the countdown, games lineup and Xbox One logo was displayed in Sydney Harbour.
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Fans line up to get into the Xbox One launch event at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.
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Singer Lorde and Xbox New Zealand Business lead Steven Blackburn pose with Lorde’s new Xbox.
Xbox One Sydney Launch event
Fans celebrated the night with a performances from guest, The Presets.
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Auckland’s Sky Tower lights up green for the launch of the Xbox One.
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Oliver Kaltner, Christian P. Illek, host Johanna Klum and actress Jessica Schwarz on stage presenting Xbox One.
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Xbox One on La Cité de la Mode et du Design.
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On Thursday in Dublin, Republic of Ireland Football Captain Robbie Keane met with media to launch the Xbox One.
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A 10,000 square foot Xbox One gaming zone in London’s Trocadero.
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Live performance from the famous Italian rapper, Emis Killa.
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Richard Sherman of the Seattle Heahawks attends the Xbox One Launch at at Milk Studios on November 21, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Xbox One Launch Event
Hundreds of consoles were delivered by armored trucks and a procession of Roman soldiers from “Ryse: Son of Rome,” zombies from “Dead Rising 3” and exotic race cars from “Forza Motorsport 5” coursed through the city towards the ultimate launch party, headlined by celebrity performers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square.
Ryse soliders head to Times Square for the Xbox One launch.
Ryse soliders head to Times Square for the Xbox One launch.
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