Gates, Xbox 360 On Time Cover, Halo 3 Teased

The latest issue of Time magazine has debuted, and, besides featuring Microsoft co-founder and world's richest man Bill Gates holding an Xbox 360 on the cover, a feature story on Microsoft's new console by Lev Grossman reveals some interesting thoughts and at least one new claim. In particular, Gates notes that the second wave of Xbox 360 games, due in spring 2006, should include Bungie's already ravenously-awaited Halo 3. The Microsoft Chairman also references the coming fight with Sony's PlayStation 3 in his statement, commenting: "It's perfect. The day Sony launches [the new PlayStation], and they walk right into Halo 3." [Despite Gates' comments on timing, it's currently unclear whether the PlayStation 3 will launch earlier or later in 2006.] Microsoft and its leader are also keen to show innovation in the Xbox 360's drive to the mainstream, with Gates commenting: "We're not gonna get so everybody in the family loves this thing just with sports and shooters and racers. We're gonna have to fund, both internally and externally, some high-risk genres and see if those can stick." Finally, Gates tells Time, regarding the Xbox 360: "You can't just sell it as a convergence device. You gotta get in there because certain members of the family [i.e., teenage boys] think it's a must-have type thing. But the way to cement it is as a family experience." The full feature on the Xbox 360 is available in the latest issue of Time, on news-stands now.