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[Why Bill Gates said no to buying Sega, according to former MS exec]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/why-bill-gates-said-no-to-buying-sega-according-to-former-ms-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/why-bill-gates-said-no-to-buying-sega-according-to-former-ms-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/why-bill-gates-said-no-to-buying-sega-according-to-former-ms-ex/#comments Former MS exec We didn't buy Sega they couldn't 'stop Sony'Before there was an original Xbox, rumors ran rampant that Microsoft was looking to purchase Sega as a means to get into the console business. Joachim Kempin - who worked at Microsoft from 1983 until 2003 and rose to senior VP - says that Bill Gates ultimately decided not to purchase Sega because he didn't think they could "eventually stop Sony."

"There was always talk maybe we buy SEGA or something like that; that never materialised, but we were actually able to license them what they call Windows CE, the younger brother of Windows, to run on their system and make that their platform," Kempin told IGN. "But for Bill [Gates] this wasn't enough, he didn't think that SEGA had enough muscle to eventually stop Sony so we did our own Xbox thing."

Of course, we all know the ending to this story. Sega eventually got out of the console game after the Dreamcast and has endured a few ups and downs over the last year. Microsoft has since established one of the top consoles on the market with the Xbox 360, which has dominated NPD charts for the last 22 months straight.

JoystiqWhy Bill Gates said no to buying Sega, according to former MS exec originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesjoachim-kempinmicrosoftsegaxboxFri, 08 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Pro plantiff' Erik Estavillo subpoenas Bill Gates in RROD suit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/pro-plantiff-erik-estavillo-subpoenas-bill-gates-in-rrod-suit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/pro-plantiff-erik-estavillo-subpoenas-bill-gates-in-rrod-suit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/pro-plantiff-erik-estavillo-subpoenas-bill-gates-in-rrod-suit/#comments
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Erik Estavillo -- otherwise referred to as a "professional plantiff" by GamePolitics for his laundry list of legal claims -- has subpoenaed Microsoft's Bill Gates in his suit targeting the company for his run in with the Red Ring of Death. According to court documents filed in a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the subpoena demands Gates hand over paperwork that reveal the "true and relative number of actual Xbox 360 units that have been fixed by Microsoft over the past 3 years." Estavillo also seeks data pertaining to the number of broken Xbox 360 consoles and the amount of people banned from Xbox Live for "piracy" between November 28, 2008 and 2009.

While Estavillo is looking for answers to questions every journalist has been seeking, his track record of legal battles places him in eccentric territory. Estavillo is also suing Activision Blizzard claiming characters in World of Warcraft walk at an intentionally slow pace in order to bilk customers of more monthly fees. In the claim, he subpoenaed actress Winona Ryder and Depeche Mode member Martin Gore. Estavillo has also filed suit against Sony for being banned from online play, stemming from comments he supposedly made during matches of Resistance: Fall of Man; and Nintendo, for issuing firmware updates that disabled his Homebrew Channel.

Joystiq'Pro plantiff' Erik Estavillo subpoenas Bill Gates in RROD suit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesbusinesserik-estavillolawsuitlegalmicrosoftred-ring-of-deathrrodXbox-360Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates reckons Natal should head to PC too]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/bill-gates-reckons-natal-should-head-to-pc-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/bill-gates-reckons-natal-should-head-to-pc-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/bill-gates-reckons-natal-should-head-to-pc-too/#comments
Microsoft's Bill Gates has pretty much confirmed that Xbox's Project Natal tech is heading to PC. In an interview with CNET, the Windows man said the peripheral is not just for games, but for "media consumption as a whole." He states that both the Xbox and Windows divisions have latched on to the technology.

Beyond the home media applications, Gates also mentions using it in the office. He doesn't say Office use, but lower case "office." Looks like the era of Minorty Report is upon us. Now all we need are three people who look like shaved cats to lie in tubs of goo all day and we'll be set for the future.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqBill Gates reckons Natal should head to PC too originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescnetMicrosoftnatalproject-natalwindowsXbox-360Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft sued in California for faulty Xbox 360s]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/microsoft-sued-in-california-for-faulty-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/microsoft-sued-in-california-for-faulty-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/microsoft-sued-in-california-for-faulty-xbox-360s/#commentsFiled under:

According to DailyGamesNews, Microsoft is the target of a class action lawsuit in California, alleging that not only have too many Xbox 360s failed, but that the company concealed the fact to "compete with the pending launch of Sony's Playstation 3 and Nintendo's Wii gaming systems." If it loses the suit, Microsoft would have to "disgorge" all the cash it made on the 360 and implement a refund program in California.

... Ladies and gentlemen, our economy is hurting. Now is the time for us to rally around our gigantic corporations, not try to tear them down! Did you know that Bill Gates is only the planet's third richest man now? Can you imagine how that must feel, being a hair's breadth from being surpassed by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal? No. No, we bet you can't.

You know that part of the beach where there's only one set of bald-eagle-skin loafer footprints? That's where he carried you.

JoystiqMicrosoft sued in California for faulty Xbox 360s originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesmicrosoftrrodXbox-360Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates officially retires]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/bill-gates-officially-retires/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/bill-gates-officially-retires/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/bill-gates-officially-retires/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Folks, it's the end of an era. As of last Friday, June 27, Microsoft founder Bill Gates had officially left the company, although he's staying on as non-executive chairman. Engadget spent all day celebrating the man whose company was responsible Windows, Xbox and Flight Simulator. If you're interested, be sure to check out his top ten hits (and misses); Xbox and Xbox 360 make the list (in the hits category), while Games for Windows - Live earns a cameo in the other list.

JoystiqBill Gates officially retires originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesmicrosoftPCXboxXbox-360Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Need a new 360? Email Bill Gates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/need-a-new-360-email-bill-gates/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/need-a-new-360-email-bill-gates/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/need-a-new-360-email-bill-gates/#commentsFiled under:

Let's face it, the Xbox 360 is hardly the most reliable console on the block. Seemingly destroyed by so much as a stiff breeze, older models weren't exactly made to last. Thus, 360 owners everywhere are intimately familiar with the replacement process that begins with a call to Xbox customer service. The Consumerist is reporting a new twist on that process: emailing Bill Gates directly. When the 360 originally launched, a Consumerist reader named Jon spent weeks dealing with Microsoft customer service before finally being handed to the escalation department which finally fixed his problem. Two years later (i.e now) Jon is experiencing 360 problems again. However, instead of calling customer service, Jon dug up Bill Gates' email address and wrote him an email. Within a day he was called by the escalation department and informed that his new console had been shipped.

We'd like to know exactly what Jon's problem was though. After all, Microsoft replaces Red Ring of Death consoles with no questions asked these days. Still, Jon's story is impressive, but it would have be even more impressive if he had gotten Bill to throw in a free Surface.

JoystiqNeed a new 360? Email Bill Gates originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescustomer-servicerrodWed, 30 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's Guitar Hero-as-a-prop video: Bill Gates Keynote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/todays-guitar-hero-as-a-prop-video-bill-gates-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/todays-guitar-hero-as-a-prop-video-bill-gates-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/todays-guitar-hero-as-a-prop-video-bill-gates-keynote/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

If you saw our coverage -- don't click yet if you didn't -- you know the Guitar Hero-related jokes from the final* Bill Gates CES keynote. But even if you know the premise, these videos are worth watching as a study in tradeshow comedy. Is humor in the timing or the delivery?

See the keynote comedy after the break.


*As Microsoft chairman, that is.

Continue reading Today's Guitar Hero-as-a-prop video: Bill Gates Keynote

JoystiqToday's Guitar Hero-as-a-prop video: Bill Gates Keynote originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesCESces-2008ces-keynote-videoguitar-herohottest-videohottestvideokeynotePS2PS3videoWiiXbox-360Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Gates, Bach and Slash know how to rock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/#commentsFiled under: ,


If there was one highlight from last night's CES keynote we'd have to say Bill Gates and Robbie Bach's Guitar Hero III-off was pretty entertaining. Actually, neither actually played the game as they each had their own "ringer" to play for them, but that's half the fun. We'll agree that it's a bit scripted, a bit awkward at times and a tad of a stretch, but seeing Bill Gates bringing Slash on stage and watching the over-production of it all is simply priceless. Not to mention the fact that we have Les Paul faceplate envy and hope Microsoft hooks us up with the one they used on stage. Relax, watch and enjoy.

JoystiqVideo: Gates, Bach and Slash know how to rock originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescesghiiiguitar-hero-iiislashMon, 07 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero champ plays Guns n' Roses song with Slash on real guitar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/guitar-hero-champ-plays-guns-n-roses-song-with-slash-on-real-gu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/guitar-hero-champ-plays-guns-n-roses-song-with-slash-on-real-gu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/guitar-hero-champ-plays-guns-n-roses-song-with-slash-on-real-gu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Closing out this year's CES keynote, Microsoft's Robbie Bach invited Guitar Hero champion Kelly "TipperQueen" Law-Yone on stage to play Guns n' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" on Guitar Hero 3. Not willing to be outdone, keynote speaker Bill Gates brings out Slash - of Guns n' Roses fame - to play "Welcome to the Jungle" on a real guitar. We'll leave the real vs. virtual guitar debate to you and South Park. Instead, we'll just spend our time wishing for this performance - and The Office parody from earlier in the keynote - show up as online video soon.

JoystiqGuitar Hero champ plays Guns n' Roses song with Slash on real guitar originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescesces-08ces-2008consumer-electronics-showgatesguitar-heroguitar-hero-3microsoftxboxxbox-360Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:54:00 EST<![CDATA[UK telecom company BT Group first to use Xbox 360 as set-top box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/uk-telecom-company-bt-group-to-use-xbox-360-as-set-top-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/uk-telecom-company-bt-group-to-use-xbox-360-as-set-top-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/uk-telecom-company-bt-group-to-use-xbox-360-as-set-top-box/#commentsFiled under: ,

Having previously announced its intentions to have the Xbox 360 as a set-top box (STB) at last year's Consumer Electronics Show, Bill Gates told the audience at this year's keynote that British telecommunications company BT Group will be the first company to use the console as a set-top box, whose interface was most recently seen by accident in a repaired console.

Said Gates, "The final announcement, last year we talked about the 360 being an STB -- this year we're excited to announce that BT will be the first to provide that capability. Buy a 360 and use it as an STB for your TV." No other details are given (what about DVR?), but we're hoping to hear some more soon. Check out our hands-on with the service from last year's show.

JoystiqUK telecom company BT Group first to use Xbox 360 as set-top box originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesbreakingnewsbritish-telecommunicationsbtbt-groupcesces-08ces-2008consumer-electronics-showdvrgatesiptvmicrosoftXbox-360Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Despite Guitar Hero skills, Bill Gates can't join U2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/despite-guitar-hero-skills-bill-gates-cant-join-u2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/despite-guitar-hero-skills-bill-gates-cant-join-u2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/despite-guitar-hero-skills-bill-gates-cant-join-u2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So what's Bill Gates going to do now that he's retiring? As noted at in Engadget's liveblog of his CES keynote, Gates produced a video showing his final day in office. Said U2 singer Bono to Gates, "Bill, we've talked about this before. We're full up in the band. All positions are filled. I know... I know... I can't just replace Edge because you got a high score on Guitar Hero."

Bono is seen talking in a confessional akin to NBC's The Office. "Bill's always had a passion for music... and as long as it's not my music, I'm fine with that." So much for that. How about setting your sights a little lower - say, Coldplay?

JoystiqDespite Guitar Hero skills, Bill Gates can't join U2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescesconsumer-electronics-showgatesguitar-heromicrosoftxboxxbox-360Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates: live at his final CES keynote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/bill-gates-live-at-his-final-ces-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/bill-gates-live-at-his-final-ces-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/bill-gates-live-at-his-final-ces-keynote/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We're less than a half hour away from Bill Gates' 12th and reportedly final keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (at least as Chairman of Microsoft). Hoping for some Xbox announcements? So are we. Our friends at Engadget are liveblogging the presentation and we'll keep you up to date on any pertinent (i.e. game-related) announcements. Stay tuned.

JoystiqBill Gates: live at his final CES keynote originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescesconsumer-electronics-showgatesmicrosoftxboxxbox-360Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Bill Gates' CES keynote happens tonight [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/reminder-bill-gates-ces-keynote-happens-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/reminder-bill-gates-ces-keynote-happens-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/reminder-bill-gates-ces-keynote-happens-tonight/#commentsFiled under:

Update: Major Nelson is set to live blog the keynote and is posting pictures to his Flickr account. Also, if any exciting 360 news goes down you can guarantee we'll be blogging about it.

Just a reminder fellow fanboys that you (yes you!) will be able to watch a live broadcast of Bill Gates' 2008 CES keynote tonight at 9:30PM eastern (6:30PM pacific). Tonight we may hear about the rumored Ultimate Xbox 360, maybe some new Marketplace partnerships or even learn that Microsoft will start offering a Blu-ray player peripheral (don't bank on that one). No matter what is announced, we'll get some Xbox 360 news and a first glimpse of what is planned for the 360 in 2008. To watch, simply make your way over to the Microsoft at CES website for a live feed of the keynote and be sure to have either Windows Media Player or Silverlight to watch (insert sad face for non-Microsoft fanboys). Gates walks on stage at 9:30PM eastern tonight, get pumped and watch live! Dahhh!

JoystiqReminder: Bill Gates' CES keynote happens tonight [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatescesmicrosoftxbox-360Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gates to reveal HD DVD Xbox 360 at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/rumor-gates-to-reveal-hd-dvd-xbox-360-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/rumor-gates-to-reveal-hd-dvd-xbox-360-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/rumor-gates-to-reveal-hd-dvd-xbox-360-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: ,

This Sunday Bill Gates will walk across the CES 2008 stage one last time for his final keynote speech. And just like years before, Mr. Gates will be touching on hot technology topics, Windows news, Zune facts and possibly some Xbox 360 HD DVD details as well. Or so thinks the Seattle Times. They're speculating that Billy will go out with a bang at this year's CES revealing a partnership with Toshiba to release an "Ultimate" Xbox 360 that packs HD DVD and DVR functionality. Not only that, but they also think Microsoft will announce other 360 partnerships as well.

A new HD DVD enabled Xbox 360 would be pretty cool and would help defend against the Blu-ray takeover while at the same time proving that Michael Bay was correct all along. But our other half says we already have enough variety when it comes to Xbox 360 models and an Ultimate version would be kind of overkill. No matter what Billy talks about during the keynote all we really want is any Xbox 360 news that is more exciting than last year's IPTV functionality (of which hasn't come to fruition anyway). Can we at least get that much?

JoystiqRumor: Gates to reveal HD DVD Xbox 360 at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-gatesceshddvdrumorxbox-360Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Speculation: Microsoft may integrate HD DVD into Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

This Sunday will mark the end of an era: Bill Gates is going to deliver his final CES keynote in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, the rumor mill continues to churn, unwilling or unable to pause briefly and reflect on the legac ...

... whoa, sorry about that. On to the rumor du jour: Seattle Times staff columnist Brier Dudley speculates that Microsoft "may be preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies." While you look up 3DO on Wikipedia (we'll help you out), we'll continue with the specifics of this speculation. Dudley envisions a Toshiba-built 'box bundling "a digital video recorder with a hard-drive, high-definition HD-DVD drive and Xbox gaming capabilities." Alternatively, Microsoft could forgo the licensing and bundle that HD DVD drive themselves "putting it on par with Sony's PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive."

The rumors regarding an integrated HD DVD drive have been swirling about for some time (Toshiba says "no comment"), so Dudley could be basing his speculation on the old "where there's smoke, there's fire" adage. Guess we'll know soon enough.

JoystiqSpeculation: Microsoft may integrate HD DVD into Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill-GatesCESHD-DVDMicrosoftToshibaXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates vs. Steve Ballmer in Fight Night Round 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/bill-gates-vs-steve-ballmer-in-fight-night-round-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/bill-gates-vs-steve-ballmer-in-fight-night-round-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/09/bill-gates-vs-steve-ballmer-in-fight-night-round-3/#commentsFiled under:

In this corner, playing as boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Bill "640kb ought to be enough for anybody" Gates! And in this corner, playing as Joe Frazier, Steve "Developers, developers, developers" Ballmer!

Following Bill Gates' speech at CES last week, famed boxing announcer Al Bernstein introduced Microsoft's top brass before they duked it out in EA's Fight Night Round 3 on the Xbox 360. It's a cute enough video but, though the game does look great, the gushing grates on you after a while. Who wins? Gates Ali of course!

(Link directs to Gamespot's video player)

[Via Amanda Murphy's Xbox...]

JoystiqBill Gates vs. Steve Ballmer in Fight Night Round 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill-GatesEAEA-SportsElectronic-ArtsFight-NightFight-Night-3Fight-Night-Round-3FightingPS2PSPSportsSteve-BallmerXboxMon, 09 Jan 2006 19:00:00 EST