yup i remember seeing a whole programme based on the X box and they said that along with doing it get a share of the market and to protect there PC Gaming side of things. - ooseven
Eh.. I really don\'t think that\'s why MS entered the gaming arena. I think they saw a medium which was making billions of dollars that they didn\'t have their tendrils wrapped around, and they wanted a piece of the action. I also think a large part of it had to do with the internet. See, Sony has been working on VRML technology for YEARS.. they pretty much pioneered it back in the early days. But that kinda websurfing just wasn\'t feasable over 56k analog modems. I think that with the PS2 they had finally found a medium which would allow them to expand on their VRML projects.. and create a reveloution on the internet. This is why you were hearing alot about Sony having "BIG" secret plans for online, the PS2 being a reveloutionary device, and their focus on broadband only connections. Unfortunately, the Broadband market didn\'t grow like they had hoped and they eventually had to pull out of those plans and complete restructure their online strategy. Which is why it\'s taken so long for them to get their console online.
It would also explain Sony\'s strategic partnerships with companies who have a heavy bias/dislike against Microsoft.. such as AOL, Linux, and Netscape. Not so much for their general online plans, but to thumb their noses at MS.. which Sony is somewhat famous for. (I.E. The "X" in PSX was to spite Nintnedo)
Now, the Xbox comes along with Broadband connectivity ONLY.. which in effect cuts out 80% of their potential market. Sounds like a dumb move huh? Harddrive included.. Gimmic? Ripping CD\'s isn\'t too important of a feature... and there are other ways of reducing load-times. Yet it WOULD be a GREAT help in storing VRML pages. Right from the get-go, MS denyied that Xbox would be used for websurfing. Hence, no KB & Mouse. They\'re right in the traditional sence.. but a KB & Mouse aren\'t nearly as necessary when viewing VRML as it is with HTML. And you aren\'t really surfing.. but more like exploring. Also throw in a healthy dose of Spin doctoring rhetoric to keep the "Xbox = Cheap PC" mindset to a minimum.
Sounds kinda far fetched? There was a thread about this about 2 months back talking about how MS was going to reveloutionize the Internet with their Xbox by introducing VRML when it goes online. I can look up the link if any of you want. They\'re taking advantage of Sony\'s weakness by holding off on VRML. Even if the Xbox dosen\'t take off really well and their VRML userbase is small.. they\'ll still get credit and Sony will get blamed for being non-innovative and "Ripping off" someone else\'s idea. If the Xbox had been a success like Microsoft hoped it would (and still might.. maybe) then the idea would work beautifully. Right now.. it may still work.. but their goal and victory will be a small one.
Xbox is nothing but MS grabbing a piece of some sweet - sweet pie.. and protecting their online empire. Least we get some decent games from the machine out of all this mess.
