Ever since Microsoft revealed their “Avatar” program at E3, they fell under criticism for copying Nintendo’s “Mii’s”. Now, however the Head of Xbox, Don Mattrick, has revealed in an interview with OXM UK that he invented the whole avatar concept. He claims that the game “4D boxing”, made by his company, on Amiga, DOS, Atari ST and Macintosh, was the first game to feature avatars program. After doing some research, it turns out that 4D Boxing was the first game ever to use “avatar like” characters.

Source

In a recent Interview with Xbox’s vice president Don Mattrick spoke about their current place in the console market, In second place that they will do everything in there power to maintain that powerful spot. Mattrick also touched on the issue saying, that while they cannot see beating there arch rival Nintendo because of that great hold on the market they are confident that second place race is over and that Sony falls into a third spot.

“I’m not at a point where I can say we’re going to beat Nintendo,” he said, before predicting, “We will sell more consoles this generation than Sony.”

Early this year at E3, Mattrick said that he wanted to beat Sony, but this time it is stressed more.To this date Microsoft has sold an estimated 20 million console since  its introduction on November 2005.

[Microsoft concedes victory to Nintendo, will fight Sony for second]

Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has sold over 10 million units in the U.S., making it the first current-generation gaming console to break the 10 million mark in the U.S. The U.S. install base contributes to global sales of over 19 million, more than any other current-generation console.

"This year will be the largest in the history of the video game industry, with Xbox 360 leading the charge in the U.S. and abroad," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."

This announcement comes on the heels of one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, "Grand Theft Auto IV," on April 29, 2008. Gamers eager to experience "Grand Theft Auto IV" online helped boost Xbox LIVE global membership to over 12 million this month. Fueled by an unparalleled combination of access to friends and family, the best online gaming features, and the best entertainment content, the Xbox LIVE service has doubled in membership in only one year’s time.