Microsoft: Xbox 360s Not for Sale to Military

Today, the US Army trains its soldiers with PC software. It could soon be using game consoles, for a more cost-effective and accessible method of training – but apparently Microsoft's Xbox 360s aren't for sale to the military.

Wired spoke to Roger Smith, who's the chief technology officer for PEO STRI, the Army command responsible for purchasing training equipment. He said a discussion with Microsoft representatives at a 2006 trade show resulted in the company refusing to sell the Xbox 360 or license XNA development tools to the Army.

According to Smith, there were three key reasons: Microsoft didn't want a shortage of Xbox 360s to result from the Army's purchase, and it was afraid of tainting its reputation by associating itself with military training. Of course, the third reason was that it wasn't going to be making much money off the deal, due to fears that the Army would only purchase one game per console.

“It's hard to believe that Microsoft would risk a public relations disaster by refusing to sell products that would save the lives of American soldiers during time of war,” Wired's Michael Peck suggests in a counter-point. The Xbox company was contacted for comment, but it didn't really say anything about whether it was willing to sell consoles to the Army.

You can read the Wired story here. Do you think games consoles' reputations would tarnish if used for military combat training? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments box.