Key information
Microsoft entered the gaming hardware market in 2001 with the launch of the original Xbox. The development of this console was marked by significant internal uncertainty, which was eventually resolved by a pivotal decision regarding its core components.
Seamus Blackley, recognized as the father of the Xbox, recently detailed a last-minute change in the console's hardware architecture. During the 2001 CES presentation, it was revealed that Intel would provide the technology for the system, a shift that caught AMD representatives by surprise.
Blackley attributed this sudden transition to political maneuvering, noting that Andy Grove, the former CEO of Intel, contacted Bill Gates directly to secure the deal. Blackley has since expressed regret toward Lisa Su, the current CEO of AMD, regarding how the situation unfolded.
While the original console utilized Intel technology, the hardware landscape for Microsoft has evolved significantly since that time. Modern iterations of the platform, specifically the Xbox Series X and S, now feature AMD architecture.
