you do realize that MS could care less about posting a profit right? Sure they would love to have one but their number one mission is simply to stop Sony.

And you know this Ben because you're on the board of directors at MS or because you heard that through a fanboy site like psxextreme and it makes you feel better?

It can't be because you have proof.

@LordFlashheart

no because MS came right out and said it. They were afraid of Sony taking over the living room with what amounts to a home computer (it has web browser, plays movies, cd's as well as other stuff) which could potentially cut into the PC market share. As we all know MS biggest money maker is their OS on PC's which is a huge investment for the comapany and without it they would be severley weakened.

So they launched the Xbox to try and slow down Sony as much as possible and were willing to post losses if it meant protecting their bigger and more important investments with the Windows OS. Make sense?

and also Lord Flashheart you do realize that I'm a PS3 fan correct? Though you are new around here so I guess you might not.

Afraid Sony was taking over the living room?
Yes that has traditionally been MS domain.

And with all those people browsing online with their PS2's it's a wonder XBL took off.
They was so scared consoles would take over the living room they worked with sega to get them online and browsing the web.
As for playing movies they decided to charge people to unlock the feature that was built into the machine due to fear.

I'm convinced.

But you can't be upset they wanted to break a monopoly are you?
Unless that monopoly was Sony's

And ben you do realise that I've been reading this site for over a year before I decided to join right?
With you being around here for longer I guess you did.
Of course I know you're a PS3 fanboy. I read your comments

But You have a point. Your higher post count gives your arguments move validity than mine.
Also you epenis is bigger than mine, or should that be your ebra is more padded than mine.

Really that's your argument?

umm LordFlashheat....seriously they have already said thats why they entered into the console market. I'm sure they want a successful system and don't want a complete failure but MS already was a successful and huge company before entering into consoles. Why would they have created a successor to a system that posted such huge losses as the original xbox? obviously they had larger goals in mind which as I already stated is protecting PC market share and the Windows OS.

Also they weren't necessarily worried about the PS2 cutting into it but seeing how each iteration of the Playstation has included more and more features and becoming closer and closer to a PC they were worried about it eventually becoming a potential threat. Thus they got in before that happened to help minimalize the potential damage. Any of this making sense?

And no I'm not a PS3 fanboy I own every system this gen including handhelds.  I'm not a fanboy for any console it even says so in my bio on my profile.  I just don't understand what your argument is here?  anyways this is my last post in this thread its full of stupid arguments.

Whatever their reasons were, they knew going into the business that they wouldnt be able to fully establish themselves with one console. The 360 was conceived as early as 2003

Ben there are so many flaws in your argument its astounding.
So they seen the features the PS2 had over the PS1 and how consoles were becoming more like PC's THEN decided then to enter the market?
Nope.
They decided years earlier what they was going to do to extend their business.
It's what they do.
They seen how successful sony were and wanted some of that just like sony did with Ninty.
Any of this sinking in?

I dont doubt they wanted to break the monopoly. How else would they make money and recoup their investment?

But if you believe it was to purely go after Sony and not because they named Sony due to them being the market leader then you're too sensitive.

If it was Ninty the would have named them.

Correct Lord Flashheart they did decide years earlier when they saw the system specs for the PS2, as well as the success of console gaming take off. Remember PC was (and still is) the largest gaming market. Windows is on PC. They make money on Windows. Do you think they just saw the PS2 the day it was released? No they new years ahead of time what capabilites Sony was looking into regarding the Playstation brand plus Sony already had said years and years ago they wanted to "rule the living room" and for the Playstation to become a technological hub. Listen I'm not saying its the ONLY reason the Xbox brand exists but it IS the largest reason.