The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. It was Microsoft's first venture into the gaming console market, and they had to pitch against other gaming gadgets like Sony's PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo GameCube. It was launched on November 15, 2001 in North America, 22nd February, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe. It is essentially the predecessor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 console systems. But with rapid technological advancement and the need for better experience, this particular model was later discontinued in late 2006.
The Xbox first edition was initially developed within Microsoft by a small team which had on the panel, esteemed game developer Seamus Blackley. Microsoft repeatedly delayed the console, which was revealed at the end of 1999 following interviews of then-Microsoft CEO "Bill Gates." Gates could foresee the need of gaming/multimedia devices, which according to him were essential for multimedia convergence in the new times.
The Xbox was Microsoft's first product that ventured into the video game console niche market, after having joining hands with Sega in porting Windows CE to the Dreamcast console. Notable launch titles for the console included Amped Freestyle Snowboarding, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive 3, Halo Combat Evolved and Oddworld Munch's Oddysee.
According to the book Smartbomb, by Heather Chaplin and Aaron Ruby, the unparalleled success of the upstart Sony PlayStation gave tremendous competition to Microsoft in late 1990s. The growing video game market establishment did seem to threaten the PC market, particularly dominated by Microsoft. Their concern was obvious because they relied upon the PC market heavily for most of its revenues. For them, a niche venture into the gaming console market were to help them diversify Microsoft's product line, which up to that time had been heavily concentrated on software.
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
The Xbox first edition was initially developed within Microsoft by a small team which had on the panel, esteemed game developer Seamus Blackley. Microsoft repeatedly delayed the console, which was revealed at the end of 1999 following interviews of then-Microsoft CEO "Bill Gates." Gates could foresee the need of gaming/multimedia devices, which according to him were essential for multimedia convergence in the new times.
The Xbox was Microsoft's first product that ventured into the video game console niche market, after having joining hands with Sega in porting Windows CE to the Dreamcast console. Notable launch titles for the console included Amped Freestyle Snowboarding, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive 3, Halo Combat Evolved and Oddworld Munch's Oddysee.
According to the book Smartbomb, by Heather Chaplin and Aaron Ruby, the unparalleled success of the upstart Sony PlayStation gave tremendous competition to Microsoft in late 1990s. The growing video game market establishment did seem to threaten the PC market, particularly dominated by Microsoft. Their concern was obvious because they relied upon the PC market heavily for most of its revenues. For them, a niche venture into the gaming console market were to help them diversify Microsoft's product line, which up to that time had been heavily concentrated on software.
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
