With it’s faster and more powerful sibling taking all the glory, the original Xbox is starting to feel a bit neglected.  With an established base of millions of units, Microsoft has all but shunned the original system and seems to be focusing solely on the Xbox 360.  Sony, by way of contrast, has just this month stopped producing the original PlayStation console that was released over a decade ago (December 1994).  Rumors from earlier this year indicated that once the existing stock of Xbox systems was depleted, there would be no more. 

Particularly upset by Microsoft’s unvoiced neglect is Adam Roberts, the Executive VP of Vivendi Europe.  Quoted as saying that the Xbox “probably needs help at the moment”, he laments the loss of retailer support for the console.  Roberts believes that Microsoft needs to do whatever is necessary to reaffirm the trust and loyalty of the retail segment.  Once again, Sony is pointed to as having a clear concept of the life-cycle of the PS2 and that it’s far from over.  In fact, God of War 2 will be released not on the PS3, but on the PS2. 

Of course, it should be noted that it’s difficult to release a game for a non-existent platform, and when an aging platform is the only one in your arsenal, you have no choice but to support it if you want to maintain market share.  Considering the delayed launch of the PlayStation 3, by supporting the PS2, Sony is doing what is required.  Microsoft, plagued by hardware shortages, may be doing exactly what is necessary to firm up their grasp on the market prior to the PS3’s release.

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