On November 15, 2001, the original Xbox was released, the first console from Microsoft, who had decided to enter the “Console War” to compete with Nintendo and Sony. 22 years later, we can say that this decision was a success because this line of consoles became one of the “Big 3” in the video game industry. But of course, introducing a new brand in a market like this is not easy, and Microsoft is well aware of that. So, to celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of these consoles, let’s take a look at the initial announcement of the first Xbox.
Remembering when The Rock praised the Xbox in his initial announcement.
The early 2000s were a very different time. American wrestling was at its peak, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was still better known as a wrestler than an actor, and Microsoft was betting everything on the release of its new console, at a time when it was inconceivable to think of a machine created by a non-Japanese company. That’s why the initial announcement of the Xbox that took place in 2001 during the Consumer Electronics Show was such a spectacle. Bill Gates himself was on hand to unveil his new video game machine and called on “The Rock” Johnson to give it his stamp of approval in front of the audience.
The words of “The Rock” in this show are simply excellent, as he compares his wrestling character to Microsoft’s console. With strong statements like “The Xbox is just like The Rock: innovative, powerful, exhilarating and, just like The Rock, it will be the most electrifying thing this year” and “Bill, you know The Rock is not easily impressed, but I’m very impressed with what we get to see here today,” this presentation is over the top and funny, but also full of that trademark 2000’s charisma and personality.
Microsoft was just looking to convince the public to buy their new product and they were lucky enough to have called in a well-known wrestler who would go on to become a Hollywood superstar. It seems that the relationship between Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Xbox is still pretty good. In 2020, in celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary, “The Rock” returned to make a hilarious video commemorating the 2001 presentation, where he pokes fun at his attire and speech. It’s quite refreshing to see a star like him taking a look back at the past and remembering how things have changed.
And just like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Xbox also grew by leaps and bounds since November 15, 2001. When everyone doubted that an American company was going to be able to compete in the “Console Wars”, Microsoft came out ahead with its powerful platform, its interesting exclusives and, especially, its ability to connect to the Internet to play games. Thanks to all the other Xbox consoles that followed, the brand continues to have a strong presence in the gaming industry to this day.
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