If you build it, they will come.
A crowd of nearly 400 people gathered in Anthony Hall on Tuesday night to see a demonstration of the Microsoft Xbox, a gaming console developed by the Seattle-based computer company.
The presentation, hosted by MSU’s chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, discussed the technical specifications of the Xbox and the processes that went into building it.
Andy Kim, president of the group, said he feels the event was a success.
“It was a great presentation,” said Kim, an electrical engineering junior. “Probably the largest one all year.”
The Xbox is set to debut in the United States this fall. Developer Dan Rosenstein couldn’t say much more than that.
Rosenstein said crucial details, such as price, are not being disclosed by Microsoft, but he is predicting a huge public reaction when the system goes on sale.
“People get very passionate about (new gaming systems),” Rosenstein said. “They want to be the first to have it.”
The Xbox operates at 733 megahertz, while the Sony PlayStation 2 operates at 294.912.
During the presentation, Rosenstein showed a video demonstrating the graphic capabilities of the Xbox. The video included a scene with hundreds of computer-generated butterflies, each one generating its own shadow.
Ten-year-old Karl Hackman of Laingsburg said he was excited about the Xbox.
“It was cool,” Hackman said. “It’s good that it’s fast. I don’t like systems that are slow.”
Hackman, who said he does most of his gaming on a Nintendo 64, plans on asking for the Xbox next Christmas.
But not everyone had the same glowing reaction to the Xbox system.
Alok Sharma thinks the system may not garner the huge response Microsoft is expecting.
“I’m skeptical,” the electrical engineering junior said. “Microsoft can market to tech-heads all they want, but when little kids buy it, that’s the question.”
Sharma described the presentation as “great,” but he calls the Xbox a “big kids’ game system.”
He also noted that its advanced graphics may not be appealing to users of all ages.
But that doesn’t deter Kim.
“The games are going to be unbelievable,” he said.
