If you weren't aware, Seamus Blackley was a key part of the original Xbox team, even going on to be coined the "father of the Xbox". He's one of the major reasons why Xbox got off the ground, so he's kind of a big deal around here!
However, he didn't get everything right. Earlier today, he highlighted an NSFW quote of his from back in 2001 almost got him fired from Microsoft at the time — catching attention after it appeared in the Eastside Journal:
"Gaming is like masturbation. Everybody does it, nobody wants to talk about it."
Blackley explained to Bloomberg reporter Dina Bass back in 2019 that he "got in a LOT OF TROUBLE for saying that," being "summoned to building 4" to explain his actions. He said it was intended as an argument for multiplayer gaming online, but Bill Gates and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer were not happy with him at all.
"It was an argument for multiplayer gaming online, which Xbox was a pioneer in. Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates were VERY upset at me about those comments."
Fortunately, it all worked out in the end and Blackley was able to see the Xbox project through to completion in 2001, leaving Microsoft in 2002. You'll find him still actively discussing Xbox on Twitter, and he recently made an appearance in the excellent Power On: The Story of Xbox documentary series.
What are your thoughts about this? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com, via gamespot.com]
Comments 16
Hah. I mean he wasn’t wrong back then.
That should have been Xbox's slogan 😆
Would have been a hit with the Sega kids who grew up on those edgy TV ads.
Oh that would have been another great TV advert to get banned
“through to completion…”
😏
Gaming was more secretive then, but even now, I know some closeted gamers. It’s okay to enjoy this hobby. Don’t be ashamed.
Gone are the days in the UK with a few are huddled around a copy of C&VG and Mean Machines getting the latest news and reviews.
Arcade machines popping up in shops like 7/11 helped, even the core nutters liked having a go on Robotron and Pin ball machines which blurred the lines between geek and gaming.
@icomma as a older gamer if I had a penny for everytime I'd been asked aren't you a little old to be playing video games over the years I'd be the one buying activison lol
It is getting better but still not quite there yet but hopefully in time , the way I see it ( like with everything ) if you enjoy it go for it as long as your not hurting anyone
Ah, the good old days... when you actually had to say something offensive (to some) to get fired or cancelled.
Spend five minutes listening to Seamus Blackley and it becomes obvious this is probably one of the tamer things that came out of his mouth. With that being said, he has the most personality of the original Xbox dev team.
And now we all do it online while others watch. Man knew what he was talking about.
I like Seamus Blackley. Dude gives zero ****s.
I'm glad that Gates and Ballmer are no longer at helm at Microsoft, they did their part and helped create what it's become but they definitely outlived their usefulness over there and became dinosaurs. Today it seems like they are managed by people who are far more in touch, especially when it comes to Xbox division.
For the record, that quote was quite accurate as well. I remember how back then gaming still had this stigma of being a nerdy hobby for boys.
I'm surprised Gates managed to stop pillaging the secretaries long enough to be offended by this comment..... It's much tamer than what he later got hauled in by the board for, 😂
@icomma there is less judgment, I totally agree with that. People are more open minded now instead of putting everyone in a box. Though I sometimes miss the simplicity back then of not having to be connect all the time with the internet and phone, but I don’t miss the closed mindedness of back then.
@Martsmall I remember being online playing a game on my computer. I think it was DOTA and everybody was comparing their ages. It ranged from 14 to 18. Here I was at 20, and I was considered “old.” I guess that’s when you were expected to stop playing games or something. Now, I play games with my kids and I know those older than me who play games. It’s nice to see so many generations sharing their love for gaming.
Haha that’s brilliant! Seamus always comes up with some unsanitised statement. He has no filter. A PR mans nightmare. Love it.
@Magabro Completely agree should have been Xbox’s slogan. Reminds me of the Guerilla marketing for PS1 here in the UK that linked the console to clubbing, drugs and other ‘cool seeming’ recreations of the young. Including a perforated card, used for making roaches, with the provocative statement “more powerful than God” stamped across it (attributed to edge magazine but that’s always been dubious). But it worked, suddenly gaming was cool, not just for kids and we adult gamers came out the closet.
Can you imagine any of that happening now? Everything is so safe, family friendly and sanitised.
Even to this day I still hear people saying gaming is for kids and when am I going to grow up, usually from the wife or mother. I then point out that not all games are Super Mario, Donkey Kong etc and that GTA is one of many games that isn’t for kids.
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