Former Microsoft exec. says it launched Xbox "to stop Sony"

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The original Xbox console was released in 2001, but it is hasn't been known why Microsoft wanted to join in on the games industry in the first place, until now. A former Microsoft executive who recently wrote a book that slammed Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, says in a recent interview that the main reason they went into the game console industry was to "take down" their rival, Sony.

Sources report that during an interview with former Microsoft VP Joachim Kempin, he stated: "The main reason was to stop Sony. You see, Sony and Microsoft... they never had a very friendly relationship, okay?"

Although Microsoft apparently wanted to partner up with Sony, Sony always seemed to keep Microsoft at arm's length. When Sony launched the first Playstation, Joachim said that "Microsoft just looked at that and said 'well, we have to beat them, so let’s do our own.'"

He also claims that while he worked at Microsoft, he went to its PC OEM partners and asked them to make the first Xbox. He said "The guys were smart enough not to bite, because they studied the Sony model and saw that Sony could not make money on that hardware model, ever." Microsoft didn't want to to copy Sony's business model for the Xbox; make the hardware themselves, sell it at a loss and make it up with game royalties.


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"Former Microsoft exec. says it launched Xbox "to stop Sony"" :: Login/Create an Account :: 115 comments

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T0xic8earPosted:

It only makes sense they would go head to head with Sony. They pretty much produce the same products if not really similar.

XeDragHDPosted:

I'd say they accomplished that goal, well 75% anyways.
I went to PS3 and couldn't stand it.
No party chat, no join session unless there added, I hated it.

ExoticWolfsPosted:

Wow... they did it all just for this reason? Ohh well, I still like Xbox better. :P

ImNotPhlegmAnymoreOKPosted:

I think that this is just a case of a guy who is "getting back". And who cares if it was Microsoft's main motive for the xbox? It's a great console...

DarksydeZachPosted:

Disorts
DarksydeZach
Disorts
Joeshep1997
Disorts
Smurfs They did a good job at taking down Sony. I like Microsoft much better.


so you're telling me you like piece of **** Os's that crash and freeeze and are enabled for viruses. with a console that charges you to do stuff that should be free? please tell me how Much better MicroShit is? ill never buy another windows pc or a xbox they are all shyt.


Well I haven't had a virus for months, You must be doing something wrong....
i haven't had one either because i own a mac. glad i got rid of that piece of **** windows 8 pc. dumbest os ever.


Want to calm down a little? These comments have nothing to do with the news article so stop whining solve this debate through a pm or start a thread(which will soon be filled with idiot brand loyalists)ok? on top of that where I may agree with you on a minuscule level I suggest you do a tad bit of research before you start a flame war. Furthermore I would like to point out for the sake of contributing to this news article that Microsoft's harsh needs to control any market they are in is insatiable and they should probably be watched so market domination does not occur.
ok stfu. im done. no one was talking to you especially you.


Oh? so you are suggesting that I should not voice my opinion? That attitude would kill this website in a second, now, so I don't become hypocritical I will not further this debate because it is not related to the topic. Good day sir.

imgurPosted:

Lol, this is crazy, can't believe how childish this is. Flame wars...Xbox>

DarksydeZachPosted:

Disorts
Joeshep1997
Disorts
Smurfs They did a good job at taking down Sony. I like Microsoft much better.


so you're telling me you like piece of **** Os's that crash and freeeze and are enabled for viruses. with a console that charges you to do stuff that should be free? please tell me how Much better MicroShit is? ill never buy another windows pc or a xbox they are all shyt.


Well I haven't had a virus for months, You must be doing something wrong....
i haven't had one either because i own a mac. glad i got rid of that piece of **** windows 8 pc. dumbest os ever.


Want to calm down a little? These comments have nothing to do with the news article so stop whining solve this debate through a pm or start a thread(which will soon be filled with idiot brand loyalists)ok? on top of that where I may agree with you on a minuscule level I suggest you do a tad bit of research before you start a flame war. Furthermore I would like to point out for the sake of contributing to this news article that Microsoft's harsh needs to control any market they are in is insatiable and they should probably be watched so market domination does not occur.

BashfulPosted:

Disorts
Joeshep1997
Disorts
Smurfs They did a good job at taking down Sony. I like Microsoft much better.


so you're telling me you like piece of **** Os's that crash and freeeze and are enabled for viruses. with a console that charges you to do stuff that should be free? please tell me how Much better MicroShit is? ill never buy another windows pc or a xbox they are all shyt.


Well I haven't had a virus for months, You must be doing something wrong....
i haven't had one either because i own a mac. glad i got rid of that piece of **** windows 8 pc. dumbest os ever.

There is no way to stop viruses. If someone properly codes one, it's easy. I'm a Linux fan but I have no issues with Windows. I don't like Apple because of the false promises that are made, their business practices and how overpriced the products they make are.

Mac could have a virus made for it easily, if you don't believe so, you're an idiot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems
7% use Mac
1% use Linux
2% is other
~91% is Windows OS's

Why would someone make a virus for Mac when most of the time viruses are used to make a profit?
http://www.hackersonlineclub.com/botnets
Examples of how viruses can be used for money.
A chance of having 91% of the internet population vs 7% is a lot more appealing and increases the chances of profit.

Joeshep1997Posted:

Disorts
Smurfs They did a good job at taking down Sony. I like Microsoft much better.


so you're telling me you like piece of **** Os's that crash and freeeze and are enabled for viruses. with a console that charges you to do stuff that should be free? please tell me how Much better MicroShit is? ill never buy another windows pc or a xbox they are all shyt.


Well I haven't had a virus for months, You must be doing something wrong....

SmurfsPosted:

They did a good job at taking down Sony. I like Microsoft much better.


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