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Introduction: The Console Wars
Following decades of video games growing in popularity from arcade games to the Atari, the market for gaming entertainment has grown exponentially. As technology improved and demand rose, companies like Nintendo and Sony started to develop consoles as a way into peoples living rooms as staples of entertainment. With this massive opportunity at hand, it was only a matter of time before another competitor joined the list. -
Intro Part 2
The true beginning of what is known as the console wars is in 2001 when Microsoft joins the competition with their own product. Ever since then, the three main companies in Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have been releasing consoles and products to earn greater market share and profit off of the gaming industry. This Exhibit seeks to display and reflect upon the events of the console wars and how it has developed over the years. -
Intro Part 3
The artifacts included show the journey of the competition and how main events impacted and shifted the outcome of the future. Because the console wars have never truly ended, this exhibit also gives insight into what the future may hold for the major companies and what we can look forward to. -
Artifact 1: Microsoft Releases Their First Console, the Xbox
On November 15th, 2001, Microsoft released their first-ever console into the market: the Xbox. Originally released in North America and then later to the rest of the world, the console sought to compete with other consoles like it. This was released just after Sony's Playstation 2 and was a direct competitor. While Microsoft was not expecting much due to the success of previous companies success, they aimed to eat into a little bit of the market share with a competitive product for their fans. -
Artifact 2: Article: Console Wars: All Three Combatants Claim Victory
In an article written by The Economist in 2007 following the release of the next generation of consoles, they reflect upon previous years and look forward to the next. The previous round between Sony's Playstation2, Microsoft's Xbox, and Nintendo's Gamecube ended with Sony being the victor, achieving 70% of the market share with the other companies making up the rest. -
Artifact 2 Continued
The present round starts with Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlaSstation 3, and Nintendo's Wii all released in 2005. At the time of the article, all three companies show great results. The Xbox has sold over 10 million consoles, crushing the previous generation yet lacking in the Japanese market. The Wii has generated the most buzz with its controller technology at its competitive pricing. Lastly, the PlayStation 3 sold few units but the PlayStation 2 outsold their competitors' newest consoles. -
Artifact 3: A Look Towards the Future of the Console Wars.
In an article by Kellen Browning, they explain the release of the next generation of consoles by Microsoft and Sony. In November Microsoft released the Xbox Series X and Sony the Playstation 5 during the Covid-era. Because of the situations surrounding Covid-19, the popularity of gaming has massively skyrocketed, causing huge demand for the new consoles. This has led to shortages, poaching, and re-selling of consoles to make a profit. As it stands, both consoles are selling as they're stocked. -