Insider reveals original Xbox names

[TL]

[size=180]Insider reveals original Xbox names – all of them were terrible[/size]

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The Xbox came close to being called the Eleven-X, MAX, FACE, or MEGA, as the console's original lead reveals some of the worst console names ever considered.

There are a number of things the games industry as a whole is terrible at – anything to do with release schedules for a start – but one of its longest standing ineptitudes is when it comes to naming consoles.

And if anything things are getting worse, from the chronologically-challenged Xbox One to the Wii U – a name so bad it's playing an active role in limiting the console's sales.

By comparison the original Xbox name wasn't too bad, and new information uncovered by Edge magazine reveals it could have been very much worse.

Apparently the number two choice for the console's name was 11-X or Eleven-X, a reference to the fact that console used the DirectX 11 API that was also used in Windows PCs at the time.

Why Microsoft thought anyone would care what API it used is a mystery, but even the final name of the console makes reference to it – since it's literally the 'DirectX box'.

According to a new interview with Seamus Blackley the following list of alternative titles were also considered. Why they're all acronyms isn't clear, but it's perhaps meant to be a call-back to the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System).

The one that caught our eye though is the IS1, which stands for Interactive System In One – suggesting again that the core ideas behind the Xbox One have existed at Microsoft for a very long time.

- MAX (Microsoft Action Experience)
- AIO (All In One)
- MIND (Microsoft Interactive Network Device)
- FACE (Full Action Center)
- MITH (Microsoft Interactive Theatre)
- XON (Experience Optimised Network)
- MVPC (Microsoft Virtual Play Center)
- TAC (Total Action Center – discs/games could be called TACs)
- MARC (Microsoft Action Reality Center)
- LEX (Live Entertainment Experience)
- M-PAC (Microsoft Play and Action Center)
- RPM (Real Performance Machine)
- MOX (Microsoft Optimal Experience)
- E2 (Extreme Experience)
- MTG (Microsoft Total Gaming)
- VIP (Virtual Interactive Player)
- PTP or P2P (Powered To Play)
- VIC (Virtual Interactive Center – disks/games could be called VICs)
- MARZ (Microsoft Active Reality Zone)
- TSO (Three, Six, Zero)
- EHQ (Entertainment Headquarters)
- O2 (Optimal Ozone or Optical Odyssey)
- MIC (Microsoft Interactive Center)
- R&R (Reality and Revolution)
- MEA (Microsoft Entertainment Activator)
- AMP (Active Microsoft Player)
- VPS (Virtual Play System)
- MAP (Microsoft Action Play)
- MEGA (Microsoft Entertainment & Gaming Attendant or Microsoft Entertainment & Gaming Assembly)
- CPG (CyberPlayGround)
- VERV (Virtual Entertainment & Reality Venture)
- OM (Odyssey of the Mind)
- P2 (PowerPlay)
- IS1 (Interactive System In One)
- MET (Microsoft Entertainment Technology or Microsoft Entertainment Theatre)

[DreamcastRIP]

Oh dear! This article troubles me. So then...

There are a number of things the games industry as a whole is terrible at – anything to do with release schedules for a start – but one of its longest standing ineptitudes is when it comes to naming consoles.

Subjective opinion-stated-as-fact cobblers.

...  Wii U – a name so bad it's playing an active role in limiting the console's sales.

Really?

Apparently the number two choice for the console's name was 11-X or Eleven-X, a reference to the fact that console used the DirectX 11 API that was also used in Windows PCs at the time.

Xbox was released in 2001.
DirectX 11 was released in 2009 to be used with Windows 7.

Wikipedia states, "The Xbox runs a custom operating system which was once believed to be a modified version of the Windows 2000 kernel. It exposes APIs similar to APIs found in Microsoft Windows, such as DirectX 8.1."

 

Why they're all acronyms isn't clear, but it's perhaps meant to be a call-back to the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System).

Oh dear, am I reading Retro Gamer magazine here?! It's as though videogaming only began with the NES and that the Atari VCS never existed, ffs.  " title="Roll Eyes" />

[TL]

I forgot to add the source - it was the Metro:

http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/05/insider-reveals-original-xbox-names-all-of-them-were-terrible-3870804/

[Rogue Trooper]

Nice work there DC!

Few thoughts of my own:

Metro pours scorn on industry choice of names for consoles, but fails to suggest anything they think that would be more suitable and if your going to find fault with games console names and ignore the vast realms of clap trap given over to naming cosmetics, cars, kitchen appliances etc etc.....going for the easy target then Metro?

Did chortle at that quote about DX11, i know MS said the Xbox was powerful, but powerful enough to bend space and time? PS3/360 onnly use DX9 don't they and Wii U a form of DX 10 (does'nt it have some DX 11-esq parts?).

Yet another poorly researched and written piece about gaming.

It's chronic to see what's passed off as fact in todays press.

[zapiy]

I guess reading really is a case of ones individual perception of said article.  To me I see it just as an article feeding me with some trivial info that I take with a pinch of salt.

I do love the way the written word can be seen from various angles, makes for interesting debate at times.

[DreamcastRIP]

Did chortle at that quote about DX11, i know MS said the Xbox was powerful, but powerful enough to bend space and time? PS3/360 onnly use DX9 don't they and Wii U a form of DX 10 (does'nt it have some DX 11-esq parts?).

Precisely! 

Yet another poorly researched and written piece about gaming.

It's chronic to see what's passed off as fact in todays press.

Indeed. We can but hope that the Metro website has a readers' comments section for each article published and that those in charge take note should any readers have highlighted the appalling quality of this article. You know, responding in a professional manner to feedback provided by the readership.

[Rogue Trooper]

Metro:Hmnn.seems keen to shout how it started off in 'humble' roots (free paper for Londoners, is now  in 50 UK cities, some 1.3 Million copies distributed across Uk, worlds largest free newspaper etc), so folks might say i should lower my expectations and should i write to editor of publication i'd no doubt be given the same kind of answer i have by editors of paid for publications, that it was'nt a serious piece, not meant to be factual etc etc.

Thing is though Metro claims it's stories are 'tightly-written' so readers can take in 'key facts' quickly, but the facts that are appearing in free publications are as poorly written and researched as those appearing in paid for ones.

Now being UK publications, which as they proudly scream are 'best selling' or distributed in X million areas or what ever todays claim is, question i put is this:Is this really the image you want to portray so so many 'readers', that your writers don't do research, have clear understanding of subject material, basically, you'll print any old shit, what do you care, sales are up (yet many seem shy in actually coming forward in giving said figures).

I know print media is in something of a dying light, competion just is'nt there way it used to be, but really? standards fallen so low?.

I don't want poorly written pieces, anymore than i want to see what key members of the 'Team' look like or how your team from highest to lowest see themselves within the industry.Mentioned this before, but games jurnos, editors etc are not viewed highly by the very industry they report on, so many web sites, blogs etc these days, anyone can set up and air an opinion.Your publication gets 1.3 million copies distributed? so what..Game Z site takes 5 million hits etc etc.i'm not buying or reading a publication to make 'friends' with the people who wrote it or produced it, or sat in meetings about it for hours, i want content that i'm going to enjoy reading, that's why i picked up publication or subscribed to publication.

[Spector]

Got to admit I do agree with the basic point of the article. The names are all terrible. In fact some of them look like April fool's jokes. Can we take this thread in another direction? I really want to know what is your personal favourite of the suggestions listed. I think the "MARZ" is brilliant. It stands for Microsoft Active Reality Zone, which is so futuristic! The name MARZ is great because it sounds like the planet MARS, and that subconsciously makes you think the console is from another world! Sensational idea!

[zapiy]

Yeah out of all of them i would say MARZ stands out.. all the others seem very corporate..

[TL]

Rumours that the Wii U was originally called the Advanced Nintendo Universe System are so far unconfirmed.

[Rogue Trooper]

Console names never been a factor for myself, cert.not something that would put me off buying one, looking at what i've bought in the past:

Consoles named after big cats:Jaguar and Lynx.

A planet:Saturn

Then you've things like Game Gear, gear being a drugs term in my youth, a Game Boy (consoles come in different sexes?) a PlayStation (sounds like area you leave your kids whilst you do the shopping) an XBOX (what happened to the A, B, C etc boxes?), a Dreamcast (is that like a plastercast, but for your mind whilst your sleeping?).

And look at the code names over the years:Project Reality, Ultra 64 (washing powder?), Dolphin (tuna friendly?) Project Black Belt, PS-X......

[Rogue Trooper]

And who on earth thought up the name Wonder Swan for a console....?

[TL]

Jaguar and Lynx were NOT named after big cats

[Rogue Trooper]

Jaguar and Lynx were NOT named after big cats

Well Jaguar had the bloody cat on the box and the rotating cube on boot up.

Not going to say what they were named after then?

And let me guess..Wonder Swan was'nt named after a super hero Swan?-No cape/outfit, it did'nt fight crime, did'nt witness it's parents get brutally killed, was'nt sent to Earth to fight for justice etc?

:-)

[Havantgottaclue]

Rumours that the Wii U was originally called the Advanced Nintendo Universe System are so far unconfirmed.

Hah! That gem deserves a bit more attention than it's had so far. Personally, I would have gone with the Nintendo Overhyped Regressive Console System, but that's just my preferences.