Microsoft Corp. is introducing a series of enhancements for its Xbox videogame system, including music software and online-gaming options that underscore the software giant's plans to use videogames to move more broadly into digital entertainment, Tuesday's Wall Street Journal reported.
Presenting to members of the videogame industry assembled for a convention here this week, Microsoft described software that can let consumers record, mix and organize digital music on the Xbox. The company also announced enhancements to its online-gaming service, called Xbox live, that lets players set up online games and check scores from their personal computers and cell phones as well as the Xbox.
Microsoft, of Redmond, Wash., also unveiled a sports online-gaming service aimed squarely at Electronic Arts Inc. (NasdaqNM:ERTS - News), the largest maker of sports games in the U.S. Electronic Arts today is expected to announce a plan to build an online service for its leading sports games on Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2 game machine, the world's best-selling game console and the chief competitor of the Xbox.
The new products, along with several new videogames for the Xbox, are Microsoft's latest attempt to catch up with Sony, which continues to dominate the videogame industry despite an 18-month assault by Microsoft.