Microsoft Reportedly Hates America. Okay, Just the Military

The U.S. Army recently wanted to buy a large quantity of Xbox 360s from Microsoft for training purposes. Up to now, they’ve been using PCs but decided the game console system would better suit their purposes. Seems like a simple enough transaction. Only Microsoft was reportedly upset that they wouldn’t be selling enough game titles along with the systems and might suffer a stigma with a segment of the gaming population for dealing with the Army.

According to Roger Smith, the chief technology officer for the Army command responsible for purchasing training equipment, these were the three reasons that Microsoft turned down the Army’s request:

*Microsoft was afraid that the military would buy up lots of Xbox 360s, but would buy only one game for each of them, so MS wouldn’t make much money off of the games.
*A big military purchase could create a shortage of Xbox 360s.
*If the Xbox became an Army training device, it could taint its reputation. Microsoft was concerned that “do we want the Xbox 360 to be seen as having the flavor of a weapon? Do we want Mom and Dad knowing that their kid is buying the same game console as the military trains the SEALs and Rangers on?”

A Microsoft rep is claiming to have no knowledge of any such conversation and suggested the Army utilize XNA Game Studio development tools, while not flatly denying that the company would be willing to work a deal. In response Smith said he would be willing to reopen talks if Microsoft showed interest in selling the systems.

[Danger Room via Gizmodo]