Decadence Alert! Xbox is 10 Years Old Today
A console that was a genuine game changer deserves our applause
On November 15th 2001 the Xbox was launched in the USA, changing gaming and moving the console war from a predominantly Japan-only affair to a slightly more global conflict. That is 10 years ago this very day.
Unlike today, when sales figures are bandied around with 30 seconds of anything from a new joypad to a new AAA game going on sale, it took Microsoft until January 8th the year after launch in the USA to announce: "Xbox Launch One of Most Successful in Video Game History."
Even today "One of the most successful..." sounds as if Robbie Bach and J Allard hunkered down personally over the press release trying to pick a form of words that wouldn't make Bill Gates pop his head around the office door and yell, "You sold how goddam many?"
According to Microsoft the Xbox, "sold 1.5 million units in North America between the Nov. 15 launch and the end of calendar year 2001. In addition, the NPD Group Inc. has reported that gamers bought more than three games with every Xbox system, the highest-ever game attach rate for a video game console launch."
For his part, Robbie Bach, senior vice president and chief Xbox officer at Microsoft, felt, "great to kick off the global rollout of Xbox with a record-breaking launch in North America.
"In 2002, we're excited to bring Xbox to the world with our upcoming launches in Japan, Europe and Australia. We'll also be offering more great games and exciting online experiences like never before."
Continuing our nostalgia-roll, however, it does appear that Microsoft's Xbox evangelists had one thing very, very right indeed:
"Online console gaming will play a significant role in the future of video games," said Bach back then. "Gamers will be able to compete against one another online, play games that evolve over the course of months, and download new levels, weapons and characters.
"Xbox is clearly positioned to lead the way in the online gaming revolution."
You've got to say, "Spot on Robbie. Spot on."
Four years later, of course, we were all welcoming the Xbox 360...
Take your Xbox memories to the Forum because we'd love to hear them.
Unlike today, when sales figures are bandied around with 30 seconds of anything from a new joypad to a new AAA game going on sale, it took Microsoft until January 8th the year after launch in the USA to announce: "Xbox Launch One of Most Successful in Video Game History."
Even today "One of the most successful..." sounds as if Robbie Bach and J Allard hunkered down personally over the press release trying to pick a form of words that wouldn't make Bill Gates pop his head around the office door and yell, "You sold how goddam many?"
According to Microsoft the Xbox, "sold 1.5 million units in North America between the Nov. 15 launch and the end of calendar year 2001. In addition, the NPD Group Inc. has reported that gamers bought more than three games with every Xbox system, the highest-ever game attach rate for a video game console launch."
For his part, Robbie Bach, senior vice president and chief Xbox officer at Microsoft, felt, "great to kick off the global rollout of Xbox with a record-breaking launch in North America.
"In 2002, we're excited to bring Xbox to the world with our upcoming launches in Japan, Europe and Australia. We'll also be offering more great games and exciting online experiences like never before."
Continuing our nostalgia-roll, however, it does appear that Microsoft's Xbox evangelists had one thing very, very right indeed:
"Online console gaming will play a significant role in the future of video games," said Bach back then. "Gamers will be able to compete against one another online, play games that evolve over the course of months, and download new levels, weapons and characters.
"Xbox is clearly positioned to lead the way in the online gaming revolution."
You've got to say, "Spot on Robbie. Spot on."
Four years later, of course, we were all welcoming the Xbox 360...
Take your Xbox memories to the Forum because we'd love to hear them.
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
Dave 15 Nov 2011 19:21
1/1
it was way better then PS2 just wish it had a sega logo on it