How Sony Helped Create The XBox 360

Back in 2001 Sony went into partnership with IBM and Toshiba to create the next generation of CPU (the brain in your computer/console) which is now known as “The Cell” which is at the heart of the Playstation 3’s power, little did Sony know though that they were sharing their expensive research with Microsoft their key rivals in the next gen console wars.

Whilst IBM was working on the cell processor Microsoft contacted them to develop a new chip to power the next Xbox, and IBM actually showed them the research they were doing with the new cell processor, obviously because the cell was being developed in partnership IBM had rights to sell the chip to whom they wanted, but obviously Sony was unaware that their research was being shown to their main rival.

These details have come to light through a new book called “The Race For A New Game Machine” written by a couple of IBM engineers:

“Mr. Shippy and Ms. Phipps detail the resulting absurdity: IBM employees hiding their work from Sony and Toshiba engineers in the cubicles next to them; the Xbox chip being tested a few floors above the Cell design teams. Mr. Shippy says that he felt “contaminated” as he sat down with the Microsoft engineers, helping them to sketch out their architectural requirements with lessons learned from his earlier work on Playstation.

The deal only got worse for Sony. Both designs were delivered on time to IBM’s manufacturing division, but there was a problem with the first chip run. Microsoft had had the foresight to order backup manufacturing capacity from a third party. Sony did not and had to wait another six weeks to get their first chips. So Microsoft actually got the chip that Sony helped design before Sony did. In the end, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 hit its target launch in November 2005, becoming its own success. Because of various delays, the Playstation 3 was pushed back a full year.”

I wonder if Sony will be working with IBM any time in the future.

SOURCE