Power On: The Story of Xbox

[mjk45]

Azzanation said:

SegaHeart said:

What the ? Hideo kojima first game ever Metal gear solid was first created on Microsoft first console MSX2 in 1987 I didn't know that? I have many questions? Why did Microsoft abadonned their MSX consoles? Also Why is Microsoft ignoring the MSX exsistance? and say Xbox was their first console ? MSX sold 7 million in japan alone it outsold N64 in Japan and xbox 360 and Xbox original and Xbox One combined  all in japan? Maybe Microsoft should call the Xbox in japan MSX3?

The MSX was a very popular computer and had many variants, even making a MSX2 and MSX3. It all changed when the C64 released and made the MSX obsolete. MS never made the hardware, they supplied the software to these MSX machines and hired manufactures like Panasonic, Daewoo and Sony to create the computers. The Xbox console was the first time MS actually created the hardware internally instead of outsourcing to another brand like they did with Sega with the Dreamcast running Windows CE. MS and Bills vision was always about the software and supplying as many devices as possible. Xbox changed that.

mjk45 said:

Yes they supplied software, but from a hardware standpoint it was Bills fear of the one machine to rule them an all in every home that opened the door but there were also those at MS at the time advocating for an MS owned hardware Xbox, not to dissimilar to those early advocates at Sony who would have helped it gain impetus.

We need to remember this was a scenario that held sway among many in the tech industry at that time where smart devices were still a fair way from being realised.

I am sure Bill had fears but i don't believe it was solely on Sony. I believe they were more worried about companies abandoning the Windows tools and they needed a way to compete for the 3rd parties by offering an alternate option. Direct X was being left behind while Nintendo and Sony were using their own tools and moving the industry away from Windows Gaming. MS supply software and DX is part of their business model. This is where MS got the name from. Xbox exists to push MS tools. Without Xbox, companies would continue to further themselves from the Windows architecture.

It was true that while companies were worried about others dominating the living room, they completely turned a blind eye on Smart phones and Apple hit everyone by surprise and credit to where credit is due. Apple were right. The Smart Phone was the way to go and become the next step in human evolution. Imagine the world without Smart Phones today. 

 This was before the struggle years this was Sony the Japanese electronics giant  with a reputation of successful products that seemingly could do no wrong   coming off the PS1 with Ken spruiking the PS2's multimedia credentials a year before its debut, in a successful bid to stop any Dreamcast momentum there   weren't any other real contenders for the multimedia gaming console space at that time.

Last edited by mjk45 - on 19 December 2021