We might all recall the aroma of what they were preparing
- by Ben Kerry
Xbox enthusiasts around the globe… it has officially been 24 years to the day since The Rock teamed up with Bill Gates to showcase the original Xbox! Indeed, this monumental retro plastic box has occupied a special place in our hearts and minds for almost a quarter of a century now, so we thought this would be an opportune moment to reflect on the launch of the OG Xbox in early 2001.
Considering how the landscape has evolved today, this seems like such a surreal way to launch a console, right? Absolutely, gaming has become more popular and mainstream than ever before… yet having a WWE superstar promote your brand-new gaming device is undeniably extraordinary. In a world full of presentations and pre-recorded streams, we often overlook the dramatic flair that events like this bring.
We cannot assert that Bill’s performance is quite as authentic as Mr. Johnson’s – yet it remains intriguing to look back and observe; we truly believe the entire presentation encapsulated the significance of this moment for Microsoft and its gaming evolution. Frankly, interactive entertainment transformed dramatically after Microsoft introduced this remarkable device to the market!
Moreover, looking back, it isn’t only 24 years since the first Xbox console was revealed – it marks 24 years since the inception of the platform as well. When the system launched later that year, it offered some truly exceptional experiences, followed by the game-changing feature known as Xbox Live in 2002. What a thrilling time it was!
Anyway, to think that it would be a quarter of a century next year since this momentous reveal (and later in the year, the launch of the actual console) is genuinely exhilarating to reflect on – but long live the original Xbox is all we can express. We remain thankful for the legacy that Microsoft’s first console has forged