Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/#commentsFiled under:


Most companies in the gaming industry never really atone for their egregious errors -- if so, Nintendo would have sent us a check for the $180 in hard-earned allowance money that we blew on the retina-singeing Virtual Boy by now. However, our poor investment in Nintendo's unwieldy system can't compare to the tragedy endured by Nathaniel, whose personalized 360 was wiped clean during a RROD repair. Luckily, Bungie jumped to the rescue with an equally collectible Halo care package -- and a recent delivery from Microsoft served as the caboose to Nate's apologetic gravy train.

Included in said delivery was a handful of games and, most notably, a new 360 signed by the Xbox team, Bungie (including replacement artwork by Rooster Teeth Comics' Luke McKay) and, with the flourish of a solid gold pen, Bill Gates. Whether you call it an act of kindness or a lesson in public relations, we think it's a neat gesture from the folks at Microsoft -- a gesture young Nathaniel will only enjoy for the next four months, of course, at which point the button above Gates' John Hancock will blink a menacing scarlet, leaving Nate with a highly collectible paperweight.

JoystiqMicrosoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360BillGatesbungiehalomicrosoftrepairrrodXbox-360xbox360Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3 makes $300 million in one week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/halo-3-makes-300-million-in-one-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/halo-3-makes-300-million-in-one-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/halo-3-makes-300-million-in-one-week/#commentsFiled under: ,


And now, a scene from Microsoft HQ:

Bill Gates: Listen, those Bungie guys are OK, and it's great having them on the softball team and all. But I think it's time we set them free.

Shane Kim: Yes, of course sir.

Bill: Let's let them get out there in the world, you know? Make that Pimps at Sea game they're always talking about. After all, Halo 3 only brought us in $170 million, that's like 10,000 Segways, that's nothing.

Shane: Actually sir, our most recent report is that the game made $300 million in its first week.

Bill: ... How late is Shackles, Chains and Beyond open?

JoystiqHalo 3 makes $300 million in one week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billgatesBreakingNewsbungiehalo3microsoftXbox-360Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Bach sold millions in Microsoft stock in months before warranty announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/bach-sold-millions-in-microsoft-stock-in-months-before-warranty/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/bach-sold-millions-in-microsoft-stock-in-months-before-warranty/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/bach-sold-millions-in-microsoft-stock-in-months-before-warranty/#commentsFiled under: ,

MarketWatch is reporting that Robbie Bach, head of Microsoft's entertainment and devices unit (which includes the Xbox 360), sold $6.2 million in company stock between May 2 and last week's announcement that the company would extend the warranty on the system for certain failures to three years. Bach's sales came after eight months of selling no company stock.

Bach himself did not comment on the story, but a Microsoft spokesperson insisted that the stock sale and the warranty were completely unrelated, saying "[He] continues to hold a significant stake in Microsoft and remains confident in the long-term success of the company." In the two months before the announcement, two Microsoft employees sold more stock than Bach: General counsel Brad Smith, who said he used the money he made to purchase more Microsoft stock, and Bill Gates.

One analyst, who said that bad timing for insider trading is often by chance, said he believed that Bach should be given the benefit of the doubt in this case, especially considering that the announcement barely moved Microsoft stock. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

JoystiqBach sold millions in Microsoft stock in months before warranty announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billgatesbreakingnewsmicrosoftrobbiebachwarrantyXbox-360xbox360Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates wants to play some kind of tennis simulator]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/bill-gates-wants-to-play-some-kind-of-tennis-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/bill-gates-wants-to-play-some-kind-of-tennis-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/bill-gates-wants-to-play-some-kind-of-tennis-simulator/#commentsFiled under:


Imagine, if you can, a game where you swing a tennis racket and an onscreen character swings a tennis racket. That's the bold new future Bill Gates wished for at the D5 conference. We love to see the prophetic mind of a business genius in action.

Oh, what? There's already something like that? No, the Wii doesn't count, because shut up it just doesn't: "No, that's not it. You can't pick up your tennis racket. And swing it." We guess motion controls are only cool when there's some kind of camera involved.

JoystiqBill Gates wants to play some kind of tennis simulator originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatescameragatesmicrosoftnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiwagglewiiwiisportsMon, 04 Jun 2007 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates on the future of computer interaction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/03/bill-gates-on-the-future-of-computer-interaction/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/03/bill-gates-on-the-future-of-computer-interaction/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/03/bill-gates-on-the-future-of-computer-interaction/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

In a very rare joint interview with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on stage at last week's D 2007, Microsoft founder Bill Gates told hosts Walter Mossberg and Kara Swisher, both of the Wallstreet Journal, of his vision for the future of interaction with technology, and therefore gaming, and inadvertently used the Nintendo Wii as a stepping stone.

"Imagine a game machine where you can just pick up a bat and swing it or the tennis racket," said Gates, to which Mossberg noted that one exists, referencing Wii Sports.

"No, no, that's not it," said Gates, "you can't pick up your tennis racket and swing it, ['Oh, I see what you mean,' said Mossberg] you can't sit there with your friends and do those natural things. That's a 3D positional device, this is video recognition, this is a camera seeing what's going on ... the camera will be ubiquitous."

Continue reading Bill Gates on the future of computer interaction

JoystiqBill Gates on the future of computer interaction originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebill gatesBillGatesbusinessDSend warEndWarengadgeteye of judgmentEyeOfJudgmentMacmicrosoftmoss bergMossBergnintendoPCPS3steve jobsSteveJobstechnologytom clancyTomClancywall street journalWallStreetJournalwalt mossbergWaltMossbergWiiwii motewii remoteWiiMoteWiiRemoteXboxXbox-360Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates can't play soccer games (or he's a good faker)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/bill-gates-cant-play-soccer-games-or-hes-a-good-faker/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/bill-gates-cant-play-soccer-games-or-hes-a-good-faker/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/bill-gates-cant-play-soccer-games-or-hes-a-good-faker/#commentsFiled under: , ,


During a promotional event celebrating Microsoft's twentieth anniversary in Mexico, Bill Gates lost to professional Mexican soccer player Rafael Marquez 2-1 in a virtual game of soccer on the 360 (FIFA?). The game was played in front of a crowd of Microsoft employees on three jumbo trons. We bet it was thrilling. And in proper fashion, the two exchanged signed product after the match; Gates giving Marquez a 360 with wired controllers, and Marquez giving Gates a Barcelona camiseta. Yet another example of rich/famous people getting more free stuff.

JoystiqBill Gates can't play soccer games (or he's a good faker) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatesXbox-360Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates headed for Daily Show on Monday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/bill-gates-headed-for-daily-show-on-monday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/bill-gates-headed-for-daily-show-on-monday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/bill-gates-headed-for-daily-show-on-monday/#commentsFiled under:

Just in time for the launch of Microsoft's new game enabled operating system, Windows Vista, Bill Gates will be on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Monday. We imagine Billy boy will take a little time to tout the success of the Xbox 360 as well. Who knows, if we're lucky, we might even get to hear a little corporate mudslinging. That's always fun. We have to wonder if Bill will have a few choice words for John Hodgman though.

Check out the show (or set your TiVo) Monday 11:00/10:00 Central on Comedy Central.

[Via Digg]

JoystiqBill Gates headed for Daily Show on Monday originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatescomedy centralComedyCentraldaily showdaily show with jon stewartDailyShowDailyShowWithJonStewartgatesjon stewartJonStewartvistawindows vistaWindowsVistaFri, 26 Jan 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gates: If you want to play online, get an Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/gates-if-you-want-to-play-online-get-an-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/gates-if-you-want-to-play-online-get-an-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/gates-if-you-want-to-play-online-get-an-xbox/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the first part of an informative interview conducted by Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, Bill Gates responds to the suggestion that Nintendo's Wii may come out on top thanks to its unique controller and cheaper price tag. "Look at the graphics," he says. "Look at Nintendo's execution in terms of online capability. We have this thing that nobody has ever seen before. When you say to your friend, hey let's play online, you say then you have to buy an Xbox. That's what 10 million people say."

When peer pressure isn't selling Xbox Live, Gates points out that endeavours like cross-platform Vista gaming and IPTV are pushing the online service forward. However, he also believes that "Nintendo did some things right," going on to mention Microsoft's acquisition of Rare and the "huge success" that was Viva Piñata. Though many critics believe the game is a return to prominence for Rare, its lacklustre sales may lead others to agree with Gates for the wrong reason -- "Nintendo did some things right" by selling the developer when they did.

Be sure to check out the rest of the interview for some interesting tidbits on the Xbox 360's IPTV, the continued absence of a larger hard drive and how Sony "didn't know what they were doing" with the Cell processor.

JoystiqGates: If you want to play online, get an Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesMSFTNintendoRareViva PinataVivaPinataWiiWii OnlineWiiOnlineXBLXBLAXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveThu, 18 Jan 2007 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Gates: PS3 will never have graphics advantage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-ps3-will-never-have-graphics-advantage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-ps3-will-never-have-graphics-advantage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-ps3-will-never-have-graphics-advantage/#commentsFiled under: ,

Speaking with journalist and Xbox guru, Dean Takahashi, Bill Gates offered several jabs to both Sony and Nintendo in the wake of CES. Speaking on Nintendo, Gates expressed concern that the novelty of Wii could wear off without good graphics to go with it, and that he still considered Sony to be MS' biggest competitor (O RLY?). Regarding the PS3, Gates notes that the 360 has the advantage in every area. According to Gates, the 360 has good games, is easier to program, and is cheaper to produce. Because of the 360's head start, it also has the advantage of undergoing cost reduction at a much faster rate than the PS3 with its more costly components.

Gates also stated that the PS3 has no advantage in terms of graphics and that it never will. In his words, Sony "burned a year" trying to get graphics out of the Cell processor, only to have Nvidia provide a chip at the last minute. Add to this the fact that the PS3 has no unified memory and that programmers have had longer to learn the intricacies of the 360 hardware, and the PS3 is caught in a cyclical game of catch-up.

Finally, Gates managed to squeeze in one more denial of a larger 360 hard drive on the horizon. When asked about the need for more space -- especially with IPTV and DVR functions on the way -- Gates responded that much IPTV data is stored on servers and storage is unnecessary. To wit: "We don't have to change the Xbox 360 at all." Uh huh, and 640 kilobytes is all we'll ever need, right?

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqGates: PS3 will never have graphics advantage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatesconsole warsConsoleWarsgatesThu, 11 Jan 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gates now sees Nintendo as primary competition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-now-sees-nintendo-as-primary-competition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-now-sees-nintendo-as-primary-competition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/gates-now-sees-nintendo-as-primary-competition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Nintendo Wii's tremendous commercial success all around the world is having an impact on competing manufacturers who previously viewed the system as an outlying oddity aimed at a seperate market. In the past, both Sony and Microsoft have dismissed head-to-head competition with Nintendo, even going so far as to endorse the Wii as an incidental ally in their graphically superior grudge match.

In a brief clip on a Japanese news station (embedded after the break), Bill Gates notes surprise at the Wii's success and labels Nintendo as Microsoft's "toughest competition" in the gaming arena. Of course, the statement doubles as a jab at Sony, now relegated to third place on the the Xbox 360 threat scale.

According to Japanese sales charts, the coveted second place is still securely held by a largely shrugging Japanese populace.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Continue reading Gates now sees Nintendo as primary competition

JoystiqGates now sees Nintendo as primary competition originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesConsole warConsoleWarMicrosoftMSFTNintendoWiiXbox-360Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Gates: Nintendo WASN'T competition, NOW they are]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/10/gates-nintendo-wasnt-competition-now-they-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/10/gates-nintendo-wasnt-competition-now-they-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/10/gates-nintendo-wasnt-competition-now-they-are/#commentsFiled under:


This cracks us up. Before, Bill Gates said that Sony was their direct competitor, viewing Nintendo and their console as nothing more than a cute novelty. Now that the numbers are coming in and everyone wants a Wii (y'know, cuz it's fun), Bill is changing his story and is now viewing Nintendo "as the toughest competition." Bill says this during a Japanese interview, which has been You Tubed and embedded past the post break.

[Via Codename Revolution]

Continue reading Gates: Nintendo WASN'T competition, NOW they are

JoystiqGates: Nintendo WASN'T competition, NOW they are originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billgatesmicrosoftnintendonintendowiiplaystation3ps3sonywiiWed, 10 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates on the 360, IPTV, convergence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/bill-gates-on-the-360-iptv-convergence/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/bill-gates-on-the-360-iptv-convergence/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/bill-gates-on-the-360-iptv-convergence/#commentsFiled under:


Chris Grant of Joystiq (he's the handsome lad pictured above), along with Engadget's Ryan Block as well as folks from Kotaku, Gizmodo, and ScobleShow, sat down with Bill Gates at CES yesterday to talk about, well, everything. The group covers issues like net neutrality, vertical integration, and of course, the Xbox 360. On the 360 side of things, Bill evokes memories of the 1990s as he declares the 360 as controlling people's living rooms. With the introduction of IPTV, it would seem that the 360 has finally become the "set top box" holy grail that was sought after in the last decade of the 20th century. Gates also reveals that the majority of Microsoft's often touted 5 million Xbox Live subscribers are of the Gold variety. Other topics discussed include digital distribution, Microsoft's future, and why the 360 will have a larger downloadable library than the PC. It's a good read and 360 fanboys would do well to check it out. For those averse to the printed word, check out a video of the conversation at ScobleShow.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqBill Gates on the 360, IPTV, convergence originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatescesinterviewinterviewsMon, 08 Jan 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Our lunchtime chat with Bill Gates at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/our-lunchtime-chat-with-bill-gates-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/our-lunchtime-chat-with-bill-gates-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/our-lunchtime-chat-with-bill-gates-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


At CES yesterday afternoon, I had a unique opportunity to chat with Microsoft's Bill Gates. I was joined by Ryan from Engadget -- as well as Brian Lam from Gizmodo, Brian Crecente from Kotaku, and Robert Scoble from ScobleShow (and formerly of Microsoft) -- to talk with Bill about the evening's keynote announcements, including IPTV and the Xbox 360's hastening transition into the mythical convergence box. Engadget's posted images and a transcript of some of the bigger topics, including vertical integration in the Zune and Xbox 360, DRM, net neutrality, and Microsoft's direction after Bill's eventual departure. Not content with the greatest hits? Catch the whole thing on video at ScobleShow.

JoystiqOur lunchtime chat with Bill Gates at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BillGatesMicrosoftPCXbox-360Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony can make 80,000 bricks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/sony-can-make-80-000-bricks/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/sony-can-make-80-000-bricks/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/sony-can-make-80-000-bricks/#commentsFiled under:

In an interview with CNET News, Bill Gates discusses not only where the company is headed with Windows Vista, but also his feelings on where the Xbox 360 is headed. When asked about the demand for the Playstation 3 and how it effects the Xbox 360's sales, Bill stated that he "wouldn't change positions with them in a million years. I mean, we know what it's like to be a year late. We feel great about the position that we're in." Confidence in the brand and overall outlook... that's what I like to hear Billy! And what does the little analyst inside of you think? Is Microsoft handling the 360 how you would, or do you have some advice for the big wigs up in Redmond HQ?

JoystiqSony can make 80,000 bricks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatesforecastmicrosoftplaystation 3Playstation3ps3salesxbox salesXboxSalesMon, 20 Nov 2006 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gates to spend more time with Bono]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/gates-to-spend-more-time-with-bono/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/gates-to-spend-more-time-with-bono/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/gates-to-spend-more-time-with-bono/#commentsFiled under:

Microsoft announced today that Bill Gates will be transitioning out of his current role at Microsoft effective July 2008, though he will maintain an advisory role in a part-time capacity. After his departure, Gates plans to work full time on his chartable foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates, his wife Melinda, and U2 lead singer Bono were jointly awarded Time's Persons of the Year in 2005 for the foundation's humanitarian efforts.

Speaking of the move, the webslinger richest man in the world had this to say:

"I believe with great wealth comes great responsibility - the responsibility to give back to society and make sure those resources are given back in the best possible way, to those in need ... It's not a retirement, it's a reordering of my priorities."

New responsibilities were also relegated to Ray Ozzie -- who will become chief software architect -- and Craig Mundy -- who will take on the role of chief research and strategy officer.

Mundy and Ozzie, realizing the comic nature of their names, plan to begin shooting a buddy comedy -- appropriately titled Ozzie and Mundy -- in the fall of 2009.*

 

* That last bit is a joke and not true. Best of luck to Ozzie, Mundy, and Gates.

 

JoystiqGates to spend more time with Bono originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationBill GatesBillAndMelindaGatesFoundationBillGatesBonoMelinda GatesMelindaGatesMicrosoftU2Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates dropping the day-to-day MSFT grind]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/bill-gates-dropping-the-day-to-day-msft-grind/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/bill-gates-dropping-the-day-to-day-msft-grind/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/bill-gates-dropping-the-day-to-day-msft-grind/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Microsoft announced today that Bill Gates -- who's been steering the Microsoft ship for over 30 years -- will be transitioning out of Microsoft, beginning with leaving his day-to-day duties behind to concentrate on playing more Xbox his charitable foundation. Sure, Bill just went to his first E3, and he doesn't have a constant presence in Microsoft's relatively detached Xbox division, but we do know he fields at least five to ten e-mails a week on their gaming plans. I mean, that's gotta count for something.

While we're not sure if Sir Bill is a Joystiq reader (yeah, yeah, yeah, we know he reads Engadget), we'd like to think he stops by every once in a while. Maybe he even flames us in the comments (is that you Bill-ionaire360?). Now that he won't be burdened by the drudgery of the day-to-day, maybe he'll kill some time kicking it at Xbox HQ, or rocking Halo 3 at Bungie's new digs. No? Alright, we'll settle for just reading Joystiq daily. See you on XBL, Bill!

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqBill Gates dropping the day-to-day MSFT grind originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesMicrosoftMSFTXboxXbox-360Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Stringer: The Xbox 360 is an "obsession"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/stringer-the-xbox-360-is-an-obsession/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/stringer-the-xbox-360-is-an-obsession/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/stringer-the-xbox-360-is-an-obsession/#commentsFiled under:

Howard Stringer obsessed with the Xbox 360Well, you know what they say about what to do when you have nothing nice to say ... erm, say that the competing gaming platform (in this case, the 360) is an "obsession"?

That's exactly what Sony CEO Howard Stringer had to offer in an interview with Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal recently. While sharing how The Da Vinci Code from Sony beat up on "X-Men 3" (aka The Last Stand) over in Europe, he seemed to mistakenly throw in "Xbox 3" in the stead of Fox's great summer blockbuster hope. Following Mossberg's correction, Stringer is reported to have retorted, laughing, "There's an obsession!"

We don't know if he's referring to the media's obsession with the corporate gaming rivalry, his own obsession with the console that would dethrone the PlayStation, or some combination of the two (irony really doesn't help here), but he does seem to at least outwardly admire Bill Gates' salesmanship (as well as his hypocrisy in delaying Windows Vista while lambasting the PS3 delay). Of course, a lot of supposed compliments could go both ways, so we've provided a few handy links below to check out what other "nice" things hardware execs have had to say about their competitors lately. We're sure it's all in good fun.

[Thanks, JC & SickNic; also via GameDaily BIZ]

See also:

JoystiqStringer: The Xbox 360 is an "obsession" originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesCEODa Vinci CodeDaVinciCodedelaydelayedGatesHoward StringerHowardStringerJournalMicrosoftMossbergobsessedobsessionsalesmanshipSonyStringerThe Last StandTheLastStandThere's an obsession!There'sAnObsession!VistaWall Street JournalWallStreetJournalWalt MossbergWaltMossbergWindows VistaWindowsVistaX-Men 3X-men3Xbox 3Xbox3Wed, 07 Jun 2006 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget chats with Gates; 360, PS3, HD DVD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/engadget-chats-with-gates-360-ps3-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/engadget-chats-with-gates-360-ps3-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/engadget-chats-with-gates-360-ps3-hd-dvd/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Engadget had a chance to sit down with the big man himself: Bill Gates, head of Microsoft and the proud papa of the Xbox 360. There have been plenty of huge events in gaming since they interviewed him last May. Good thing they did the interview, 'cause they ask Billy G. all the right questions:
  • "There were some [Xbox 360] shortages this holiday season."
  • "There's been some speculation about the Xbox 360 as a platform for IPTV... What do you see as the 360's potential as a means for delivering video to the home?"
  • "What sort of percentage of market share do you think you have to have by the end of this year?"
  • "Are we going to see Halo 3 launch around the time of the launch of the PS3?"
  • "Do you risk fragmenting the Xbox 360 as a platform by introducing an HD DVD drive?"
Head over to find out all the answers, as well as questions about Apple's switch to Intel, the new Treos, and more.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

JoystiqEngadget chats with Gates; 360, PS3, HD DVD originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesCESHD DVDHdDvdPS3Xbox-360Mon, 09 Jan 2006 15:15:00 EST