Bill Gates loves it, apparently. Why else would he launch it the way he did at midnight, November 15, 2001, with all the marketing force Microsoft could muster? A lot of people around the world are going to love it, too, if initial reports are to be believed. And yes, it's also going to make sure you never play games in quite the same way again.
'It', boys and girls, is the Xbox. And for those who haven't a clue what the fuss is about, this FAQ should help.
Q. I missed the launch on TV, and I don't read newspapers. So, what exactly is the Xbox?
A. Probably the largest video game console ever created. It has four USB controller ports, DVD drive, audio/video/digital out port and power supply outlet. The Xbox has built-in broadband and networking support as well as a hard-drive. Its launch has probably started giving executives at other gaming companies a lot of sleepless nights.
Q. Is it worth the fuss?
A. At US $ 299 per console, it had better be. A good thing is that instead of putting up add-ons for sale later, the company has decided to place all hardware needs for the next five years into the Xbox (that's a far cry from the other products we've spent time with over the years). Its hard drive can also create personalised soundtracks, cache data to decrease loading time, and save game data. Thanks to an Ethernet port, it can also be used to download new characters and levels banking on broadband being big over the next couple of years. The focus is on gaming though, not surfing the Internet.
Q. What does Microsoft have to say about it?
A. They haven't stopped talking, actually. They call it a "future-generation Video Game System that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever". It promises to blur the lines between fantasy and reality, thanks to the Xbox Dashboard that lets you adjust system settings, including audio, video, language and memory management.
Q. So it's going to revolutionise gaming. What difference does that make to me while I'm in India?
A. There's no word on the Xbox at Microsoft India yet. Considering it was released barely a week ago though, it could take some time to arrive. Why not try calling your neighbourhood dealer on a weekly basis to keep track?
Q. What games can I expect to play?
A. Microsoft games for the Xbox currently include Halo (about a warrior fighting an alien force), NFL Fever 2002 (a simulated game of football), In Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding, Project Gotham Racing (a racing game, if you're confused), Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (all about a journey with odd creatures) and Fuzion Frenzy (called the "ultimate Xbox party game").
Q. What about the competition?
A. If it's Xbox versus Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's Gamecube, the question of competition doesn't really arise as each console has more than its fair share of features and fans. What matters, eventually, is the quality of games offered, which may be a purely subjective opinion.
Q. Suppose I decide to swallow hard and splurge on one, is there anything else
I ought to know?
A. Yes, PC games cannot be played on an Xbox. Only games written specifically for its hardware can. DVD movies and compact discs are playable, and the game system comes with 256 simultaneous audio channels, 3D positional audio, and real-time Dolby Digital audio encoding. The console works best when hooked to your television set and, in time, the broadband adapter will allow users to connect to online gaming sessions for multi-player gaming. For more details, try the unofficial Xbox FAQ or a more detailed list of answers. You can also compare prices for the console, its games and peripherals.
Q. What next? An Xbox 2?
A. No one knows. If this one clicks though, you can bet your life on the possibility of a
follow-up console.
Q. Will this be the next big thing for gamers?
A. Electronic Gaming Monthly calls it a winner, NY Times says its games are big and impressive, and VoodooExtreme calls Halo the best action game ever. It all depends on whom you ask this question to. Microsoft has the financial power to push it, and the feedback has been positive so far. The product itself is touted as a powerful piece of hardware with lots of developer support and great games. Why not just sit back and let the world's gamers decide?
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