Next-generation console, now officially slated for release in the second half of 2001, will have "better, faster games"

Bill Gates will announce today at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California what we all knew: that Microsoft Corp. is entering the videogame world with the introduction of a "future-generation," dedicated videogame console, currently codenamed X-Box, designed to deliver intense, action-packed games.

Building on the company's software expertise and advances in PC technology - such as 3D graphics and the Internet connectivity - Microsoft is developing a high-performance, easy-to-use platform that will enable developers to create better games, faster.

"Building on our strengths as a software company, X-Box will offer game developers a powerful platform and game enthusiasts an incredible experience," said Bill Gates, typically shooting from the hip now that he's finally come out into the open. "We want X-Box to be the platform of choice for the best and most creative game developers in the world."

Microsoft say the machine will boast:

More than three times the graphics performance of the newest-generation game consoles. Co-developed with experts at nVidia Corp., the custom-designed graphics chip will deliver more than 300 million polygons per second.

Rich, fast-action and realistic experiences enabled by the X-Box hard drive

Broadband Internet connectivity

Beind all that be a 600MHz x86-compatible CPU, 64 MB of RAM, a Custom 3-D audio processor , 8GB hard drive and a 4X DVD drive with movie playback. There will four game controller ports

Microsoft, flexing its muscles, already has a raft of developers and publishers on board, including industry leaders Electronic Arts Inc., Konami Company Ltd., Acclaim Entertainment Inc. and Eidos Interactive.

Pushing his not inconsiderable weight to the announcement, Larry Probst, chairman and CEO of Electronic Arts said: "We view Microsoft's entry into the console business as an important and positive event for our industry. Electronic Arts is intrigued by the opportunity to develop exciting new games for X-Box,"
It's all very exiting, if not unexpected news. Stay tuned for more X-Box info as it comes out over the coming months.