Why did the Xbox exist in the first place... (Score 1)

Does /. really not remember this?
It was a time when consoles were increasingly getting the attention of developers.
Consoles that were not based on Microsoft Windows and its APIs.

Developer mindshare is one of Microsoft's greatest assets.
Hell, they might even have their CEO to jump around and scream on a stage like an idiot if they think it'd get any developer's attention.
I'm serious, I wouldn't put it past them.