They had the foresight to include a NIC (Network Interface Card) in the XBOX, right out of the gate. It was also the first game console to include a hard disk.
The PS2 did not initially include a NIC, and Sony offered the add-on PlayStation Network Adapter in order to compete with Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft launched XBOX Live approximately four years ahead of Playstation Network.
Regarding missteps, Microsoft has experienced their share of technical hurdles [1].
Regarding financial losses, Sony has experienced the same [2].
Didn't Microsoft shun any mention of the word "Microsoft" in XBOX marketing, at least initially? That might've played a big part in it's success. Or at least a big part in giving it a fair shot.
Didn't Microsoft shun any mention of the word "Microsoft" in XBOX marketing, at least initially?
I do not know the answer to your question, but I would venture to say that the target audience would have known either way. The adult game cognoscenti are obviously dialed into magazines, blogs, etc. Kids are of course in the know as well, and in cases where they do not have purchasing power, they will undoubtedly provide the necessary counsel to those above them that do :)
That might've played a big part in it's success. Or at least a big part in giving it a fair shot.
My opinion is that the XBOX's success was largely due to the quintessential launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved. This is one of the driving factors behind the XBOX's sell-out launch in North America.
Bungie was always Microsoft's ace in the hole. Online gaming helped, but it was more incremental and more easily copied. Now that Bungie's out of Microsoft's grasp, I'm betting Sony takes back the lead (though in a much closer race) for the next generation of consoles.
Yes, it will be interesting to see how the Bungie-Activision relationship unfolds. I am sure that Bungie is happy to have moved on from the Halo franchise in order to work on new projects, but perhaps in a mixed-emotions sort of way that we all feel when we want to move on, but at the same time let go.
Meanwhile, the Halo torch has been passed to Microsoft's 343 Industries, with their sights set on developing Halo 4.
Dreamcast came with a dialup modem out of the box and an adapter for a NIC. Most people were on dialup at the time but they knew network gaming was the future.
Dreamcast came with a dialup modem out of the box [...]
Yes, good point. The modem was an industry-first in a game console, and definitely forward-thinking on Sega's part.
Unfortunately, Sega was forced to cease production of the pioneering Dreamcast in 2001. At that time, the company refocused their resources on game development. This was sometime after the PS2 launched in North America, and sometime before the XBOX launched in the same territory.
On a related note, I remember playing Jet Grind Radio for the first time. The cel-shading was really cutting-edge!
They had the foresight to include a NIC (Network Interface Card) in the XBOX, right out of the gate. It was also the first game console to include a hard disk.
The PS2 did not initially include a NIC, and Sony offered the add-on PlayStation Network Adapter in order to compete with Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft launched XBOX Live approximately four years ahead of Playstation Network.
Regarding missteps, Microsoft has experienced their share of technical hurdles [1].
Regarding financial losses, Sony has experienced the same [2].
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360_technical_problems
[2] http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/25/sony-still-losing-money-o...