The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console
manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North
America, February 22, 2002 in Japan,
and March 14, 2002 in Australia
and Europe. It was Microsoft\'s first foray
into the gaming console market, and competed with Sony\'s PlayStation 2, Sega\'s
Dreamcast, and Nintendo\'s Game Cube. The integrated Xbox Live service launched
in November 2002 allowed players to play games online.

Games are not mere toys, they promote:

Information literacy. Players download text files, make
notes; they also take \"screen shots\" of the game and upload it with
their comments. A group then examines the suggestions and discussions emerge on
strategies as well as required improvements or changes. Knowledge creation and
rapid sharing is common to digital spaces. People of all ages and ethnicities
from around the world pool their understanding and resources to solve problems.

Curiosity and a thirst to find out more. Leading to the
development of learning. Players pool thoughts and resources and try and work
out how different elements function. Individual skills are sharpened using
pooled resources. Development of well developed research skills and the use of
a huge mind boggling variety of resources. For games like \"Lineage\" a
player would need to become a member of a 100 or more strong clan and in order
to protect his castle or carry out sieges he or she needs to manipulate text,
images, research equipment use, draw out maps, manage resources, design
strategies, create and maintain treasuries, write down facts, theories, and
proposals, as well as design workable models.

Social interaction and exchange of ideas and thoughts
especially in multiplayer online games. An
understanding of world history. A few games are based on civilizations and take
players as far back as 4000 BCE leading them through different developmental
stages of the world with the creation of cities, temples, libraries, granaries,
railroads and more. Many games are map based and re-enact actual events that
have taken place in the world. The setting up of virtual learning to explore
new game related technologies, new gaming elements, and modes of play with
peers. In fact, \"Civilization\" aficionados created \"Give peace a
Chance\" in which players learn about wining by using non violence.

Interpretation of data and lateral thinking. Players spend
long hours absorbed in researching information, searching high and low for
tips, cheats, and tricks, developing what are known as walkthroughs. Curiosity
and sets the wheels of the mind clicking leading to innovations in design,
software programming, graphics, strategies, and more. Team work, a sharing of
ideas, as well as collective problem solving.

Competitiveness a thirst to succeed and win.