History Topics (At-A Glance):

Microsoft Xbox (2001)

Episode Summary:

Today, we’re taking a look back at Microsoft’s game-changing entry into the console market with the original Xbox, launched on November 15, 2001. We start by exploring how Microsoft, traditionally a software giant, was driven to create a gaming console in response to Sony's PlayStation 2, and how a team of engineers used Microsoft’s DirectX technology to build a console that could compete. Then, we’ll look at the Xbox’s groundbreaking features, from its built-in hard drive to the introduction of online gaming with Xbox Live. Finally, we’ll reflect on the Xbox’s legacy, its impact on console design, and its influence on the gaming industry. So, grab your Duke controller and join us as we power up the green machine on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.