Microsoft attempted to buy Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Square around the original Xbox launch
The company initially launched the Xbox division on November 15, 2001, with the original, first-generation Xbox. Here is everything we know regarding Microsoft Xbox on its 20th anniversary year.
The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Xbox, the console and video game division of Microsoft. The company initially launched the Xbox division on November 15, 2001, with the original, first-generation Xbox. It includes multiple segments of the gaming puzzle including consoles, video game streaming services, Xbox Live, and Xbox Game Studios. As the company gears up to celebrate the milestone, a report has just surfaced online outlining some interesting details. The report talks about several aspects of the Xbox division including the launch, challenges, successes, fails, and more. We also got to know some major moves that Microsoft attempted in the early years of the division. Here is everything we know regarding Microsoft Xbox on its 20th anniversary year.
Microsoft Xbox division tried to buy EA, Nintendo, details
Talking about the report, Bloomberg interviewed “two dozen people” behind the creation of Xbox regarding all these details. It also noted that Xbox is the first and the last “successful video game console brand” from an America-based company “since Atari”. The report talks about the starting of Xbox from a mere idea on a Microsoft retreat. It goes on to retrace the path of the company from 1999 to the launch day in 2001. Beyond the usual work that went behind in crafting, and launching the Xbox, the most interesting aspects were the fails and successes. For successes, the report highlights the acquisition of Bungie along with the surprise success of Halo.
Moving to the more interesting parts, the report also stated that Microsoft tried to acquire several high-profile gaming companies. Microsoft wanted to collaborate with the likes of Nintendo to make Xbox a success. In fact, the company even offered an acquisition offer to the Japanese company. However, they were laughed off in the meeting for suggesting the move.
In addition, as mentioned above, the company also approached Electronic Arts with an acquisition offer. However, EA declined the offer with a “no thanks”. The company also tried to acquire Square before it merged with Enix to create Square Enix. Finally, the company also tried to purchase Midway but they could not figure out the specifics. The report also noted how Bill Gates was not convinced with Xbox at the beginning.