What Was the Codename for the Original Xbox Project?

This article details the secret development name used by Microsoft during the creation of their first gaming console. Readers will learn about the DirectX origins, the team involved, and the specific codename assigned before the brand became Xbox. The following sections explore the history of the hardware development and the transition from a internal project to a global consumer product.

The Midway Codename

During the late 1990s, Microsoft began exploring the video game console market to expand the reach of its Windows DirectX technology. Before the device was officially branded as the Xbox, the development team referred to the project by the codename “Midway.” This name was chosen internally to keep the project confidential while engineers and designers worked on the architecture that would eventually power the system.

Origins of the DirectX Box

The concept originated from a team led by Seamus Blackley, Kevin Bachus, and Ted Hase, who proposed building a console based on PC architecture. Initially, the device was colloquially known as the “DirectX Box,” highlighting its reliance on Microsoft’s multimedia APIs. As the project gained traction within the company, the need for a marketable consumer name grew, leading to the eventual shortening of “DirectX Box” to “Xbox.” However, throughout the critical engineering phases, the Midway designation remained the primary internal identifier.

Launch and Legacy

The console was officially unveiled by Bill Gates at the Game Developers Conference in 2000. By the time it launched in November 2001, the Midway codename had been retired in favor of the sleeker Xbox brand. Despite the name change, the foundation laid during the Midway project era established Microsoft as a major player in the gaming industry, paving the way for future iterations like the Xbox 360 and the Xbox Series X. The use of the Midway codename remains a notable piece of trivia for historians and fans of the platform.