Saturday, December 14, 2013

The new Xbox: has it come full circle?

English: The Xbox console with the S controlle...
English: The Xbox console with the S controller, made by Microsoft. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Now don't worry, this isn't about the hardware and which one is better - Xbox One or PS4. No, I'm more interested in the peculiar sub-branding Microsoft has taken, or has had to take since the first Xbox console.

Now after the first iteration, the second one was called Xbox 360. The executives (marketers?) wanted to emphasise the all encompassing role of the new device. Apart from its primary function as a game console, it was supposed to be the hub of entertainment in a home. I personally thought that they just didn't want to appear to be offering anything lesser than their competitor - Sony.
In reality both devices were roughtly equivalent in terms of power and graphics. Yet, it was feared calling it 'Xbox 2' would instantly demote it to the new iteration by Sony - its PS3.

So regardless of the justifications and departments that were responsible for the branding, it has culminated in the new Xbox offering being called the Xbox One - a reboot of sorts in terms of branding. So that would make the first one Xbox Zero. Or wait will that be the next version coming in the next 7 years or so. Or Xbox X (ten? X marks the spot? if y is 5 solve for x...)

Anyway it appears that Microsoft might have worked itself into a naming quandry come the next console.
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