http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-07-ex-microsoft-vp-xbox-was-to-stop-sony
The man once known as “Microsoft’s enforcer” has said that Microsoft only entered the console race to get one over on Sony.
Describing frosty relations between the American and Japanese tech giants, former VP of Windows Sales at Microsoft, Joachim Kempin, explained the birth of Xbox by saying, "The main reason was to stop Sony."
"You see, Sony and Microsoft... they never had a very friendly relationship, okay? And this wasn't because Microsoft didn't want that," Kempin told IGN.
According to Kempin, Bill Gates was worried that the PlayStation could evolve into something that might threaten Microsoft's domination of the PC market.
"Sony was always very arm's length with Microsoft,” said Kempin. “Yeah, they bought Windows for their PCs but when you really take a hard look at that, they were never Microsoft's friend. And Microsoft in a way wanted them to be a friend because they knew they had a lot of things we could have co-operated on because they are, in a way, an entertainment company, you know?"
"I mean, at least a portion of Sony is and they had some really good things going there, but as soon as they came out with a video console, Microsoft just looked at that and said 'well, we have to beat them, so let's do our own.'"
Kempin retired from Microsoft in 2002 where he earned the nickname of "Microsoft's enforcer" thanks to his aggressive business tactics.
The man once known as “Microsoft’s enforcer” has said that Microsoft only entered the console race to get one over on Sony.
Describing frosty relations between the American and Japanese tech giants, former VP of Windows Sales at Microsoft, Joachim Kempin, explained the birth of Xbox by saying, "The main reason was to stop Sony."
"You see, Sony and Microsoft... they never had a very friendly relationship, okay? And this wasn't because Microsoft didn't want that," Kempin told IGN.
According to Kempin, Bill Gates was worried that the PlayStation could evolve into something that might threaten Microsoft's domination of the PC market.
"Sony was always very arm's length with Microsoft,” said Kempin. “Yeah, they bought Windows for their PCs but when you really take a hard look at that, they were never Microsoft's friend. And Microsoft in a way wanted them to be a friend because they knew they had a lot of things we could have co-operated on because they are, in a way, an entertainment company, you know?"
"I mean, at least a portion of Sony is and they had some really good things going there, but as soon as they came out with a video console, Microsoft just looked at that and said 'well, we have to beat them, so let's do our own.'"
Kempin retired from Microsoft in 2002 where he earned the nickname of "Microsoft's enforcer" thanks to his aggressive business tactics.
