X Factor Documentary Explores Xbox

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a press release and downloadable trailer (BitTorrent link courtesy Gametab) for the forthcoming Discovery Channel documentary, The X Factor - Inside Microsoft's Xbox. The program premieres on June 20th at 8pm ET/PT in the US, and "reveals never-before-seen footage of Microsoft and three game studios all racing to complete the next big Xbox blockbuster game. Will the next Xbox superstar be Microsoftâ(TM)s Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Oddworld Inhabitantsâ(TM) tightly held secret (the fourth game in their ongoing series), or Bungieâ(TM)s Halo 2?" Some healthy scepticism is also shown, since the doc "..also explores whether the software giant has the mettle to make it in the exploding video game business." This doc could be particularly interesting because of interviews/footage from the next in the Oddworld series.

Comments

documentary?

[joFFeman]

it sounds like a commercial to me, the fact that the discovery channel is airing it and apparently trying to pass it off as a documentary leads me to question the credibility of anything the discovery channel airs.

Re:Documentary?

[KU_Fletch]

For example, see MTV's "Making The Game" shows modeled after their "Making The Video." They've did one of the LOTR:TT game and one on Def Jam Vendetta. They we're pretty much horrid 30 minute advertisements of repetitive gameplay videos and interviews with PR schmucks. Never once did they bother talking to the programmers or artists (probably for good reason). At least they didn't make one for Britney's Dance Factory, that would be the official end of Western Civilization.

Re:Documentary?

[drewmca]

That's just silly. You may hate microsoft or not even like the xbox but it's not a dying console. It may not beat ps2 but it's a fine console with some good games. The consoles all have their own strengths and weaknesses, xbox no more so than others. As with each of the others, it brings some interesting things to the table. As with each of the others, it has some weaknesses. You go off saying how it's dying or "xbox sux" or other silly bits of bitterness and you'll just sound silly. Also, don't know if anyone around here noticed the contradiction, but I thought everyone at /. hated Microsoft because of their monopoly (or at least that was the main reason of many). If it weren't for the box, Sony would completely dominate this round and the next. At least with another viable competitor, the console makers have to make an effort to sell us their machines. This will be even more true in the next generation. You want to see monopoly gone bad, imagine PS2 crushing both Dreamcast and Gamecube due to lack of competition. Is that a good thing just because Microsoft's not in the picture? If you can't remember why you hate something, you'll just end up looking like a bitter ass.