Power On: The Story of Xbox | Chapter 2: The Valentine's Day Massacre

The battle to own the living room is on-but not without significant cost and risk. Chapter 2 of Power On: The Story of Xbox. Xbox almost didn’t happen. Find out why in this behind-the-scenes, six-part series that takes you back to the scrappy beginnings of Microsoft's video game console. It’s the untold story of the people behind the box, glitches and all.
www.xbox.com/p...
Audio Description: • Power On: The Story of...

[@christhegaminglibrarian]

I’ve always seen pictures of that silver showcase unit, but it was really interesting to hear how it came about and how it was made. Glad my OG Xbox wasn’t a 40lb aluminum console!

[@marky3609]

I wish mine was that'd be awesome

[@tekgeekster]

I always wondered what was in it, and I'm glad the know my theories were right. Lol

[@LionMagnus]

The honesty making fun at themselves for their own mistakes and lack of experience in the market makes this refreshing to watch. Great documentary! #Xbox20

[@M3gekje]

Could not agree more

[@R3TR0J4N]

right... like this comment wasnt rehash and pasted many times in every 6 episodes of this documentary.

[@animecompilations8810]

That presentation was intense I can only imagine the pressure those guys were going through

[@josephalbert3563]

Ikr

[@txe1nd]

True

[@txe1nd]

I’m the 607 like

[@jeremyday9056]

I wanted to like this, but it's at 666 and it needs to stay there. Ha

[@txe1nd]

wow 666

[@ludoweez]

I love Bill's comment, "it's very hip to be on the internet right now" lol.

[@xbox]

And he was right.

[@Mateus707_2]

Lol

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

its now cancer to be on the internet now in this day and age lol

[@Jdogg4089]

@@Benjamin-wy4dj Tittok here, fortnite there. Ugh🙄

[@skywalker3760]

@@xbox Tell Bill Gates to not shy when talking of Eipstein

[@jimbeaux89]

I’ll never forget unwrapping my brand new Xbox on the Christmas of 2002. Some of my best memories of my high school days are filled of LAN parties, 4 Xbox’s, 4 TVs throughout my house, and tons of shouting and laughter. Thank you Xbox for making my teenage years some of the best of my life. 20 years later, I’m a husband, father of 2, and playing my series x daily. Also sharing the gift of gaming with my children. Team green all the way!!

[@Lee-lm7pk]

Amazing story, big gamble that pays off and changes the way we console game today

[@applehazeva2739]

Man. I have so much respect for Microsofts Gaming Division

[@BlastinRope]

Praise the corporate overlord all hail bill gates

[@Blue-Apple-fc9eo]

@@BlastinRope ?

[@WhiteWolfYT964]

@@BlastinRope bill gates stepped down as ceo years ago 💀

[@TheRealist1.]

@@WhiteWolfYT964 he doesn't own the company anymore either...

[@jimmybuko2065]

>Valentines day >Missing dinner with the wife >Getting yelled at by the riches man in the world for hours >Turns around and says yes

[@420BudNuggets]

Abusive relationship

[@L_E_L_0_U_P]

20 years baby 💚 loving my Series S right now 🤗

[@vullord666]

Its insane to imagine that Xbox just couldn’t exist if any of these crazy things didn’t happen. I honestly would not still be gaming if it wasn’t for Xbox and Game Pass. Part of me just wants to see these guys play Halo Infinite on the Series X.

[@emac3628]

Imagine all the incredible projects that get shut down before they get off the ground because the stars don't align.

[@jacobtom9736]

Same

[@txe1nd]

@@emac3628 yep

[@renanmonteiro316]

If Xbox didn't exist, we'd possibly still have free online multiplayer - so that's still an interesting timeline there.

[@VulturePilot]

All of the major consoles since 2001 have amazing things to offer, it’s why every generation I own every single one of them. Amazing to have the full Xbox story here.

[@JJ-fk5ys]

Xbox for life and I never left I new Microsoft would wake back up and now there unstoppable 🤑

[@plexx365]

Same here. Console wars can go to hell.

[@technicolourmyles]

@@plexx365 Well, sure, if you have the privilege for it, why not. But most people have to pick one $300-500 game box per generation.

[@rodman1978]

Glad that i was team xbox from the start, nice to see these behind the scenes stories!

[@1969Makaveli]

Me too since the debut of the XBOX in 2001. I was at the E3 reveal in Los Angeles.

[@ahuskyplaythough3826]

You Worked at Microsoft?

[@beworgen]

@@ahuskyplaythough3826 "My dad works for Microsoft"

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

@@beworgen my uncles dad's brother's cousins sister's son in law worked on the original xbox

[@Omar-em7rl]

@@beworgen My uncle works for Xbox, you better stop killing me on halo 2 or else.

[@Jah42O]

& when PC players always talk down on console players, documentaries like this always remind me that I’m part of something great!!

[@NXDf7]

I always see xbox as part of pc, all others are just foreign devices.

[@37Kilo2]

Modern consoles *are* PCs, though.

[@RH_UU]

@@NXDf7 Lol, PS5 and Series X have exactly same hardware

[@xehP]

I’m confused what was this to do with pc players 💀

[@Junior1899BR]

I mean, Just bought their product lol

[@nitroxide17]

I love my xboxs... from OG to 360 to series X. Thanks MS for all your hard work!

[@shaderkul]

I have so much respect for these people that do what they do and keep on doing what they do without stopping doing what they do.

[@stupidguy97]

What an engaging and well-made documentary! The pressure and the feeling of accomplishment these guys felt must have been immense.

[@mbv401920150]

Lovely! - Excellent piece of the history of Xbox

[@xbox]

Learning something new every day!

[@txe1nd]

60 like

[@hitemup5975]

Gonna watch all 6 episodes ASAP💚💚

[@creativerayn]

Great documentary series ❤️ really nice seeing the history and behind the scenes info for something I grew up with and loving

[@decki86]

xbox team you guys are doing great.. esp with game pass and the power/efficiency of the hardware.. nailed it

[@techworld451]

I love the narrative of this documentary. It keeps me interested

[@xbox]

Glad you enjoyed the documentary!

[@WololoWololo2]

@@xboxHaha big chungus big Xbox controller for big chungus hands

[@tt-ez6eq]

Omg! That screen saver and paper clip brings back memories.

[@xbox]

We feel old but it's ok 💚

[@droid4d279]

They went though some hell much respect for the team

[@LonghornsLegend]

It's absolutely fascinating hearing how two extremely talented and driven individuals like Balmer and Gates in the same room together bouncing ideas off one another.

[@Apocalip]

Loving this documentary, shows they really bet high stakes on this, amazing

[@cMARVEL360]

THIS MAKES ME WANT TO GO BUY AN OG XBOX AND KEEP IT WORKING LIKE DAY ONE!

[@TheTonkGuy]

I have one from 2004 crystal, perfect mint working condition absolutely amazing little unit, and paired with the right old fat box tv?? omg! highly recommended if you never got to play on one ❤

[@hounsdjentlow3074]

Bro interactive barney at 2:11. I got that when i was 2 for christmas and still have it now at 25. Its been passed to my daughter as it was so great with learning for me . Crazy

[@Razgriz_01]

It still works? That some good stuff right there after that many years.

[@MarkStillPlays]

2:46 LMAO I LOVE HOW THATS ALMOST BASICALLY THE DESIGN FOR THE SERIES X

[@MrDawnnix]

Love Cortana’s voice!!

[@xbox]

So do we 💚

[@ScottWallace5]

Wow, what an incredible redemption story with Seamus. LOVING this series and all the roadblocks and everything that they went through

[@TheBattleRabbit860]

I remember so much of the details that were made public around this time, and the reaction that most of had was "Yeah, okay. Because _this_ won't fail." It's weird looking back over 20 years ago at all of this.

[@1Soniccool]

I'm glad that they stick with Xbox because those other names don't fit the console but the Xbox name came from it's original code name Direct Xbox because of the graphics API Direct X.

[@tonyjoestar2632]

"Short term loss for long term profits" are like curse words to American companies, even to this day. We're lucky things worked out how they did

[@CascadesHomestead]

Awesome and I'm so glad the name XBOX stuck. All the other names listed in this episode were nuts! 😃😀😄

[@XlPackratlX]

11X -It goes to 11

[@SarmadTechLab]

imagine if microsoft sued microsoft for stealing the kernel.

[@Hot-Rob]

HaHaHa!

[@Silwine79]

I was on the fence but this documentary has made me get the 20 yr anniversary controller that I don't even need.

[@Episode_13]

that Intro gives me chills, great intro to Power On!

[@bblande]

I was at that GDC presentation! :)

[@enriquerenteria6089]

Legend

[@miked5444]

Those names..... so many dodged bullets.... Introducing the carpet ride series X

[@jefft7705]

31:17....Cliff sighting. Who knew just 6 yrs later dude would give us one of the best xbox game series ever made in Gears.

[@ThavashOnTech]

Wouldn't want to be these guys pitching to Bill and Steve lol !

[@GreyFox405]

Exciting times to be growing up. Takes me all the way back 😢.

[@NathanChisholm041]

I see remember me and my mate seeing one for the first time and it was like the future had arrived. lol

[@jaygonzalez9446]

Im loving this !!!! I had the very first Xbox to the series X NOW ! Love the history . XBOX FAN 4EVER

[@newt6639]

Kudos to the team producing this story. Simply amazing and engaging.

[@jerryholbrook13]

Millions of gamers are very greatfull and happy Xbox succeed!

[@Eagles.Fan.Since.Super.Bowl.52]

I enjoyed the whole series. I wish J Allard took part in this. Love my Series X, but up until today the 360 Generation was the most exciting in my opinion.

[@flaminghead1va]

Yeah, he was barely in this part. I'm still not sure what J Allard's role/job title was. But I'm hoping his name comes up later in this documentary

[@paulc2138]

I know this has probably been said BUT Halo sold me the Xbox

[@lionfire3359]

Halo sucked. For me it was ninja gaiden.

[@paulc2138]

@@lionfire3359 That’s your opinion and I’d probably say the same about Ninja Gaiden, not my cup of tea to be honest

[@ikav56]

@@lionfire3359 Ninja Gaiden sucked. For me it was Halo.

[@DigitalAsshat]

Can we just refer to this thing as carpet ride from now on, please? I have the first 3 carpet rides still hooked up to my TV and I love them....

[@YuniorGamboa]

This commentary feels very genuine and honest.

[@ihsan_ali16]

31:14 Cliff Bleszinski and his facial hair LMAO

[@nhilist5774]

That caught me off guard 😂

[@Whatwhat1235]

these guys are lucky with bill walking in the room slamming the presentation on the table and shouting at them he could of fired them all there and then

[@Cimone90]

I want to have this documentary physically on DVD or bluray. It's great

[@BAIGAMING]

35:00 Reminds me of how Universal wanted Crash Bandicoot to be called "Willy Wombat" 😂

[@zzz43344]

*'Carpet Ride'??????????* My God, could you even imagine...

[@Tullaryx]

They could've even licensed the song by Steppenwolf to be it's marketing song.

[@northencail2099]

thank you for making this. it was good and interesting to watch

[@legatobluesummers4290]

I’m loving this documentary!

[@D4rkm00r]

So much Kudos for the Spinal Tap references

[@jkerwin4317]

Imagine they called Xbox, iPod, like it said on the list of names 😆 It's nice to see they kept that list and later used the Ipod name for something completely different 😃

[@inceptional]

Hey, the underlying idea of Trespasser would be well suited to modern VR, kinda like Boneworks but with dinosaurs and hopefully less clunky and laggy/wobbly controls than Boneworks has imo. I'd be well up for that.

[@eternalreturnal]

it was waaay too ahead of its time.

[@stockman007]

I’ve watched 2 episodes already haha 😂

[@m1lkshake766]

Don't blame you it's great and companies typically keep this to themselves

[@tonyleo01]

Xbox was literally the reason I upgraded to Broadband in early 2000 with the blistering fast 1mb internet speed!

[@bomalpatriote5536]

Fantastic Documentary ✅ Thank you very much for all Microsoft 's Devs who participated to this extraordinary adventure ✅ Sorry for my English language 🇫🇷🤝🇺🇸

[@JavierPhotoMX]

-" You are dismissed" My favorite quote!

[@toxicglizzy8401]

Thank you guys for making it all happen

[@Y4WN]

16:53 bill knew from the start you guys were greatness he just wanted to test you guys, the ultimate exam hahaha

[@CrestlessWave]

Better series than Money Heist season 5 Part 2 😂😂

[@MrDjillest303]

I love this. Glad I stuck with Xbox

[@xbox]

We're glad you're playing with us still.

[@stevencuellarart9495]

Awesome! Thanks for the second episode

[@ulgrimthemad]

I see you Asherons Call, really miss that world/franchise being actively developed for.

[@yeahyukerson4511]

thank you thank you thank you so much for making this. i have watched many interviews from xbox team and i am still learning soooooo much. I am addicted to technological history and this hits the spot.

[@DevinDBell]

*Xbox if you’re reading this, I can’t wait to work for you guys and bring the best games possible! See ya soon* ✌️

[@landononthekeys4791]

U working for Xbox?

[@koltendrews]

To this day the coolest sleepovers I ever had was when one of my buddies brought his brand new Xbox to the house and we all played Halo Combat Evolved for the first time.

[@xbox]

Such amazing memories.

[@HobzVHS]

Did I just see “Tesseract” on the list of potential names. Lots of “what if” rabbit holes

[@Andbriefly]

Невероятный игровой опыт на протяжении 20 лет! Невероятные эмоции сейчас от увиденного и несомненно только лучшие ожидания на будущее. Мы 💚 XBOX! Конечно, от #Microsoft. 👏😏

[@cifrancgx]

That’s a Commodore Amiga 2000 at 13:02. :-)

[@retrospectivelyspectacular2331]

I loved this, thank you for making this documentary

[@andreoski3]

"if you have an operating system taking 15% of the cpu and half the disk , you are dead" guess we still have the same problems on pc apart from the disk

[@alexzz1234]

18:09 That's not SM64! That's a rom hack version of the game, maybe Sapphire

[@Djungelurban]

I noticed that too! That's kinda awesome honestly...

[@drewtweedie7408]

i thought it was an early build but even then it looked off. good eye.

[@Tullaryx]

They missed out on calling it XOD. I mean it markets itself...Kneel before XOD!

[@cubexp2.010]

Who knew Microsoft was at risk

[@dallasmann7904]

So well done. Really makes you feel like they did

[@TheMihaicalinescu]

I deeply understand the frustration that the X Group had.... It was the same frustration when we got Windows 95 or Office.

[@SuperMegaArte]

uff... sorprendente historia 🔥 ya tengo ganas de ver el capitulo 3 jajaja

[@rccarrillo1]

I remember this happening growing up. Love to see the behind the scenes

[@ivanskirchak4935]

Just got my Series X today. Loving Halo Infinite.

[@mariovadillo900]

Felicidades por el documental. Estoy aprendiendo muchos detalles y curiosidades que desconocía. Sin duda ha sido un camino duro, pero ha merecido la pena ;)

[@titino092]

Que buen documental!

[@SimonGerard]

Jonah Hill needs to play Seamus Blackley in the Hollywood adaption of this

[@eucri]

Even I feelt the pressure and anxiety of those meetings

[@HotakXvi]

Amazing series so far!

[@d.w.6216]

I love the animations of Bill Gates yelling at people

[@rijanbahadurpradhan3017]

I bought xbox series x even though my friends had ps5 because of game pass. Documentaries like these make me feel i made the right choice. xbox needs to step up their game and release the competition for ps vr too.

[@fuzzylogic3017]

Good thing you got the Series X and not the Series S: some games - like Tower of Guns and Mothergunship have been delisted from the eshop - so the physical versions remain the only way new players can enjoy them.

[@elusivelight3766]

I absolutely LOVE this documentary!

[@crimsonwolf1982]

If Microsoft hadn't abandoned Windows CE, it would be the dominant OS in the smartphone market today.

[@One21P]

i totally forgot about the girl and robot demo. That impressed me back then.

[@delta3eight]

Man I have so many memories playing lan matches on the original Xbox. Halo was my childhood. But then the console started playing up and wouldn’t turn off. You turn it off and it would turn right back on lol. It didn’t want me to stop playing 😂

[@jullyanoaf]

História fantástica! 💚🇧🇷

[@allissondiego1989]

Huge respect for this guys

[@The_Primary_Axiom]

Ps2 sold so many consoles back then lol. I’m sure it was intimidating to these people to outdo it.

[@B_F_Games]

Это лучше художественного фильма, смотрю дальше!