Before something like the Xbox could ever hope to exist, Microsoft first needed to learn how to be a successful games publisher on the PC. This is the story — or part of it — of how Microsoft got games, featuring input from four key Microsoft Game Studios people — Ed Fries, Stuart Moulder, Ed Ventura, Jon Kimmich — and Age of Empires co-creator Rick Goodman.

Support comes from my Patreon and PayPal backers, with special credit going to Wade Tregaskis, Simon Moss, and Vivek Mohan. Thanks fellas!

Original scoring and sound design by me.

While I fully intend on covering more of the Microsoft games story in future, if you'd like to learn more there are a couple of books by veteran games and tech journalist Rusel DeMaria. Game of X volume 1 delves into the Xbox, while volume 2 looks at the backstory before Xbox.

Find out more about my new book project, Shareware Heroes: Independent Games at the Dawn of the Internet, at Unbound.

The Life & Times of Video Games on the Web and social media

• Website: lifeandtimes.games
• Twitter: @LifeandTimesVG
• Instagram: @lifeandtimesvg
• YouTube: lifeandtimes.games/youtube

You can make a donation to help cover running costs and allow me to rely less on freelance income via

• Patreon: lifeandtimes.games/patreon
• or PayPal: paypal.me/mossrc

My book, The Secret History of Mac Gaming, is available in bookstores in the UK and Australia, as well as on the likes of Book Depository and Amazon. See the official website for more info.

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Tags: microsoft, pc, ed fries, jon kimmich, ed ventura, stuart moulder, age of empires, flight simulator, xbox, close combat, games publishing, rick goodman, business, marketing