A Trip Down Memory Card Lane Ep.220 – Microsoft Enters the War: The Birth of the Xbox
In 2001, Microsoft entered the console wars with the launch of the Xbox, a bold move that reshaped the gaming landscape. In this episode, we explore how a group of engineers from the DirectX team convinced Bill Gates to take on Sony, turning a risky idea into one of gaming’s biggest success stories. We discuss the internal battles that nearly killed the project, the fateful Valentine’s Day meeting that saved it, and how Halo: Combat Evolved transformed the Xbox into a must-have console. Our conversation also dives into its costly launch, technical innovations, and how it paved the way for Xbox Live and modern online gaming. Join us as we power up the green machine and revisit the story of the original Xbox on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.