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Xbox In 2005: A Next-Gen Chance

Anybody who follows video game news closely has probably heard that Microsoft plans to release its successor to its Xbox, Xbox 2 (tentative) by the end of 2005, which is next year. But before I jump into why I think this is a terrible decision on Microsofts part, let me offer some background information on the subject for those of you just joining us.

In October of 2000, while Nintendo fans explored the world of The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask, entertainment giant Sony was reeling consumers into another world a world where consumers living rooms would host a bevy of Sony products with its sequel to the successful PlayStation", the PlayStation 2. This at-the-time powerful piece of hardware not only played the latest wave of next-generation software, but it also played different kinds of media, such as DVDs and CDs. The hype that Sony created for its DVD-based console was ecstatic. And thanks to the shortage of PS2s at launch, auctioning giant Ebay was home to hundreds of people selling the system for over 500 dollars. Now, whether or not I consider it sane or absurd to bid on so-called $500 system that had a launch library that could be counted on one hand is a topic for another day, but I am sure you can guess how I feel about Sonys booming marketing stunt. Nevertheless, this unstoppable train of Sony-high gamers and consumers drove Genesis creator, Sega, out of the hardware business and into the world of third-party development or at least some say it did. I am neutral on the subject.

The PlayStation 2, for the next year, was able to attract many consumers. Its only competition, at the time, was a dying breed, the Dreamcast, and a 64-bit, cartridge-based console from the 90s, the Nintendo 64.

By the following fall, gaming giant, Nintendo, and new-comer Microsoft known widely for its operating system that spawned the blue screen of death -- were gearing up to release their next-generation hardware, the GameCube and Xbox, respectively. The Xbox launched just days before the GameCube, while Nintendos purple, toy-like gaming machine launched the same week that Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, from Warner Bros., opened which, according to Nintendo, made less money for its company than the GameCube made for Nintendo. Not that it matters that the GameCube was a $200 piece of hardware while tickets for the Potter film ran around five bucks. Nintendo logic. Gotta love it.

While the PlayStation 2 already had an unstoppable lead on both Microsofts and Nintendos platforms, both the Xbox and GameCube were neck-in-neck in sales for their first year. But by the second year, the Xbox held a lead on Nintendos GameCube though it was a small one. Both consoles have, thus far, been home to a slew of amazing games. GameCube has brought to gamers titles like Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine, The Wind Waker, Eternal Darkness, Resident Evil, F-Zero GX and Super Smash Bros. Melee, while the Xbox has also impressed the industry with games like Halo, Knights of the Old Republic, Ninja Gaiden, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and Chronicles of Riddick. There are many more to name, too, but I wont continue to ramble on about each platforms best titles.

Still, despite the strong line-up from other systems, Sonys PlayStation 2 has remained unstoppable. The only console this generation to give it a true battle has been Nintendos Game Boy Advance. But as far as home consoles go, the PlayStation 2 has pretty much won this generation. Who will finish second, however, remains to be seen.

Either way, I think this brings us up to date.

If there is one thing that surprised us all by now, at least it is that Microsofts Xbox has been a relatively giant success. The company came out of nowhere, right from left field, in fact. Going into this generation, many put off the Xbox as just another doomed-from-the-start console. I was one of the people, actually. But now, three years later, the Xbox has given the GameCube a good run for its money. It has also given the PlayStation 2, at least lately, a good run for its money outselling the PlayStation 2 in monthly sales.

However, can Microsoft do it again, with the Xbox 2, but to a greater extent? A week or so ago, I would have gone out on a limb and said that Xbox 2 could potentially be the industry leader next generation. But after some news from Microsoft on its successor to the Xbox, there are some dark, stormy clouds surrounding Xbox 2s fate at least in my opinion. In no way am I about to say that Xbox 2 will fall short because it is merely launching early, like the Dreamcast. Because the truth is that Microsoft and Sega are both on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. I will, on the other hand, say that Microsoft, if it is to launch the Xbox 2 more than a year before the competition, will put a thorn in its good leg.

Halo 2 is one of the most highly anticipated releases for the Xbox

Why? For starters, one of the biggest advantages Xbox has had over its competitors is its superior technology. By the Xbox 2 being the first out of the gates it almost guarantees that it will be the least advanced of the three consoles. But this is not to mention that it will also kill a potential giant prematurely.

The Xbox is quickly picking up momentum. It has a truly appealing list of games that will release this year, from Jade Empire to Doom 3 to Fable to its juggernaut, Halo 2. And even better, for Microsoft at least, the Xboxs sales are slowly surpassing the PlayStation 2's on a monthly base. Personally, I can say, working at a local retail game shop, GameStop, that Xbox is more popular than the PlayStation 2 right now something that could not have been said six months ago. Right now the number one reserved title of all GameStops countrywide, is none other than Halo 2.