Console War

[Rokkrwolf]

Hey everyone I know people fight over which console is better blah blah blah and I just read a article that poped up today figured I'd share it.

Former Microsoft Exec claims Xbox created because Sony didn't want to 'be a friend'

"Microsoft made significant inroads in the console wars with the Xbox 360, stealing market share from the once-dominant PlayStation brand. However, Microsoft wasn't always interested in entering the console market. In fact, according to a former Microsoft exec, the company only entered the console market because Sony refused to work with them.

Joachim Kempin was VP of Windows Sales at Microsoft for 20 years, having left the company in 2003, two years after the launch of the original Xbox. He said that the main reason Microsoft jumped into the console market was "to stop Sony."


"They were never Microsoft's friend," Kempin told IGN. "And Microsoft in a way wanted them to be a friend because they knew they had a lot of things we could have co-operated on because they are, in a way, an entertainment company, you know?"

However, when Sony entered the market with the original PlayStation, Microsoft felt like its stronghold of the PC market could be eroded. Microsoft founder Bill Gates was afraid that "the living room computer" could threaten the Windows market, and Microsoft knew it had to work against Sony.

This story slightly echoes how Sony came to create the PlayStation in the first place. The Japanese hardware giant originally partnered up with Nintendo to create a CD add-on for the SNES. However, Nintendo eventually partnered with Philips on the failed CD-i. The apparent betrayal was motivation for Sony to enter the console space, and led to the formation of the PlayStation brand. While Microsoft doesn't appear to have collaborated with Sony as deeply, it seems that friendship could have prevented these console wars from escalating at all."

I guess we can now blame it on both companies for being stubborn.

[SmgUk]

I'm glad Microsoft did get into the console market ever since i bought a original xbox i have preferred it over a playstation. And its good for people to have choice.

[Duskky]

Quite glad Microsoft decided to make a console, I play PC, Xbox, PS3 and though I like each of them I love my xbox more than PS3(Sony has some issues they need to fix hopefully those will happen in PS4)

[Loonatyc]

I guess different people have different experiences. Mine with 360 were terrible. I had trouble with mine from day 1, and I bought it new. Bought a used ps3 2 years ago and haven't had a problem. PS3 was always my primary choice though, since Metal Gear Solid 4 is exclusive. That being said, the 360 has 3 things I miss: party chat, Left 4 Dead, and Alan Wake. Those three things don't outweigh the PS3 exclusives though.

This was a good read, and I'm not at all surprised if it's true.

[Youngwings]

If Sony could stop being a child for a year or so... imagine a game, where you could toast people on the Xbox 360 and the PS3 at the same time, while playing from the PC. I would love a truly cross platform game with no limits. I don't know why Sony is so against working with other people, no wonder the Xbox's Popularity continues to go up.

[Paladin]

Eh I think xbox 360 is better then the ps3, however this is only due to the networking and social aspect. When next gen consoles arrive, the Ps4 will be in my sights due to the insane focus they've inputted into the social features.

[echoplex]

If Sony could stop being a child for a year or so... imagine a game, where you could toast people on the Xbox 360 and the PS3 at the same time, while playing from the PC. I would love a truly cross platform game with no limits. I don't know why Sony is so against working with other people, no wonder the Xbox's Popularity continues to go up.

Aha.
As far as cross platform play goes, Sony has been more open to PC/PS3 gameplay than MS will ever be. And, that's because MS are more strict/closed than Sony. They want their own little house, and they have ten locks on the door.

There's a reason steam never made it to the 360. And, they were offered. Before Sony, at that.

There's a multitude of reasons why there hasn't been a console v console based game.
Player management, for one. You can't referee the same way you can on a closed platform.

I'd love it, though.
Populations would be higher. It's always sad when a game dies. I like small populations, as I can run into the same peoples, but it really can be too small, sometimes.

[djwar75]

If Sony could stop being a child for a year or so... imagine a game, where you could toast people on the Xbox 360 and the PS3 at the same time, while playing from the PC. I would love a truly cross platform game with no limits. I don't know why Sony is so against working with other people, no wonder the Xbox's Popularity continues to go up.

Of course, it would be toasting people on PS3 and PC, while playing from the Xbox360. Xbox ftw, woot woot!