Xbox (Prototype)

DirectX Box was the original prototype of the Xbox founded by a Reddit user in late 2018. Some footage can be found in r/xboxprototype or on the Prototype Archives twitter account.

Early History (1999-2000)
Sony Computer Entertainment first announced the PlayStation 2 in 1999, the company had positioned the console as a centerpiece for home entertainment, as it not only would play video games, but also could play audio CDs and video DVDs. Microsoft, whose business had been primarily in supporting the personal computer (PC) business with its Windows operating system, software, and games, saw the PlayStation 2 as a threat to the personal computer.

Four engineers from Microsoft's DirectX team—Kevin Bachus, Seamus Blackley, Ted Hase and DirectX team leader Otto Berkes, began to envision what a Microsoft console to compete against the PlayStation 2 would be like. They designed a system that would use many hardware components in common with PCs, effectively running a version of Windows and DirectX to power the games on the console. This approach would make it easy for developers on Windows to build games for their new system, differentiating itself from the custom hardware solutions of most consoles. Numerous names were suggested for this console, including "Direct X Box", and the "Windows Entertainment Project". These were the two names chosen for the console's name. And to avoid any confusion, it was named DirectX Box inNorth America while it was called Windows Interactive in Europe and Japan.

Starting in October 1999, the modelists and everyone else at Microsoft was busy working on both Windows Mellunium Edition and concepts for DirectX Box. Designs were featured for the controller itself including names like X-Wing, Racer X, Bio and Exterminator. Duke was the succeeded name as of the beginning of November 1999. While the console was HARD to design. For the meantime, they decided to choose the model's design as a metal X which was milled from a aluminum with a glowing button in the center, which when turned on it would turn green and turns off when the console wasn't in use.

The Rise (2000-2001)
Once everything was done (including the payment for the models) as of February 25th, 2000, Microsoft was ready to show the public the console. They planned it to be at E3, but that would make people estatic for the release. So they decided to show it at GDC 2000 instead. During the event, GameSpotTV recorded the entire convention including the introduction of DirectX Box. Since nobody found out about it yet, hiding it from as bigger audience was successful and begun to work on another project in the meantime. Other recordings also were included in a episode of Showcase! The Game.

As of mid June 2000, Bill Gates returned to the task of their console which now had a new name, Xbox. Bill had planned the future of the console in the next decade or two. Start would begin simpily with the release of Xbox and it's games. Then 2 new consoles named Xbox Dual-Screen in the mid 2000s and Xbox 3DS in the 2010s. They would later introduce Xbox Infinite in 2013. Finally, they would announce their last console for now, later called Xbox Series X. Before they wanted that to happen they had to first work on their first game and other stuff. 50% of employees had a meeting if they wanted to collaborate with another company or buy one. While the other 50% worked on hiring employees to help with future games and stuff. A few hours later after they finished the advertising and the meeting, itt was settled.. Their first game was going to be with help from Bungie.