According to many supposed insiders, Microsoft has always viewed the Xbox brand as a burden and wished to sell it since the inception of the original console. A rumor that Amazon was in talks to buy Xbox was also thrown around by these people. While these insiders keep on losing credibility due to their frivolous claims, ended up getting banned or called out by studios, a new piece of information has surfaced that solidifies Xbox’s position and importance at Microsoft.
During the Xbox 360’s red ring of death issue, Steve Ballmer chose to spend $1.15 billion to fix the problem. The red ring of death was an overheating issue in the early days of the Xbox 360 that bricked the consoles. During an interview with Ryan McCaffrey, Peter Moore stated that Ballmer did not even hesitate to do what was right and preserve the brand. He knew how important it was to the company.
The Xbox is the only division at Microsoft that appeals to consumers seeking entertainment rather than productivity tools and devices. While it is commendable that Satya Nadella is focusing so heavily on Xbox and games, it should be noted that all of Microsoft’s leaders have viewed Xbox in a similar fashion. They realize the importance of the brand and have always stood by it even during severe strain. This reaffirms the company’s commitment.
Source: WinBeta
Asher Madan is a games journalist, former News Writer (Gaming) at Windows Central. They contributed 182 articles to ICXM in 2015, focused on Windows and PC, and Xbox news: joined Future plc’s Windows Central in 2017 covering Xbox news, hardware, and reviews.