Review
?I had not thought it possible to write an entire book on a single game console. Takahashi has done it and done it well. Opening the Xbox is constantly interesting and very personable. It?s also a book that should ruffle a few egos, including my own.?
?Steven L. Kent, author of The Ultimate History of Video Games
?Opening the Xbox provides fascinating insights about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering at Microsoft. Takahashi?s fly-on-the-wall style of writing is complemented by insightful analysis of the gaming industry and interesting vignettes about the personal lives of the Xbox creators. This book perfectly intertwines a compelling business story with human drama.?
?Geoff Keighley, editor in chief, GameSlice
?Dean Takahashi paves the way for serious journalistic coverage of an industry long dismissed by traditional media. Thoroughly researched, his book exposes the guts of the video game industry through the prism of Microsoft. Takahashi gives us an engrossing glimpse of an industry that?s at once juvenile and ruthlessly systematic in its manufacturing of digital fun.?
?Alex Pham, staff writer, [I]Los Angeles Times[I]
?Takahashi has meticulously researched this book. It?s required reading for anyone interested in the next-generation console race.?
?Tom Russo, director of program development, G4 Media
?Reads like The Soul of a New Machine for the new millennium. Dean provides insights into the people and the motivation behind Microsoft?s high-stakes bid to break into the home-entertainment market. And, he doesn?t miss a detail.?
?Dawn C. Chmielewski, staff writer, San Jose Mercury News
?Steven L. Kent, author of The Ultimate History of Video Games
?Opening the Xbox provides fascinating insights about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering at Microsoft. Takahashi?s fly-on-the-wall style of writing is complemented by insightful analysis of the gaming industry and interesting vignettes about the personal lives of the Xbox creators. This book perfectly intertwines a compelling business story with human drama.?
?Geoff Keighley, editor in chief, GameSlice
?Dean Takahashi paves the way for serious journalistic coverage of an industry long dismissed by traditional media. Thoroughly researched, his book exposes the guts of the video game industry through the prism of Microsoft. Takahashi gives us an engrossing glimpse of an industry that?s at once juvenile and ruthlessly systematic in its manufacturing of digital fun.?
?Alex Pham, staff writer, [I]Los Angeles Times[I]
?Takahashi has meticulously researched this book. It?s required reading for anyone interested in the next-generation console race.?
?Tom Russo, director of program development, G4 Media
?Reads like The Soul of a New Machine for the new millennium. Dean provides insights into the people and the motivation behind Microsoft?s high-stakes bid to break into the home-entertainment market. And, he doesn?t miss a detail.?
?Dawn C. Chmielewski, staff writer, San Jose Mercury News
Book Description
Inside Microsoft's Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution
The video game industry is expected to double in sales over the next five years. It has already eclipsed motion pictures to become one of the largest and fastest growing markets in history and a lamplight illuminating where the future of entertainment is headed. In an effort to grab a chunk of that market, Microsoft—an absolute newcomer to the gaming industry—has put billions of dollars on the line in a gamble to build the fastest, most mature, most advanced video game console ever: the Xbox. Is this new Microsoft venture just another experiment that, like WebTV, was launched to much fanfare but will be quickly forgotten? Or will it become the next Windows, finding its way into the homes and lives of millions of people around the world?
The video game industry is expected to double in sales over the next five years. It has already eclipsed motion pictures to become one of the largest and fastest growing markets in history and a lamplight illuminating where the future of entertainment is headed. In an effort to grab a chunk of that market, Microsoft—an absolute newcomer to the gaming industry—has put billions of dollars on the line in a gamble to build the fastest, most mature, most advanced video game console ever: the Xbox. Is this new Microsoft venture just another experiment that, like WebTV, was launched to much fanfare but will be quickly forgotten? Or will it become the next Windows, finding its way into the homes and lives of millions of people around the world?
