‘Windows 10 Event’: The Moment A T-Shirt Stole The Show
Microsoft showcased the next iteration of Windows for PC users at its Windows 10 event today in Redmond, Washington. However, it became apparent through the power of the Internet that a T-shirt would steal the show.
Peter Moore really has to be wondering why he got all those tattoos when a T-shirt would suffice.
When Phil Spencer, the Head of Xbox, walked out on stage, speculation abounded. Spencer was seen sporting a green T-shirt with a large logo for the classic game Battletoads emblazoned on the front. Almost instantaneously, Twitter began adamantly began to “confirm” that the cult hit was being subtly announced at the Windows 10 event. Even the Inquisitr picked up on this in an earlier article.
Dat Battletoads shirt…
— Stein (@steinekin) January 21, 2015
Oh @XboxP3. You do like to troll us. ? First Crackdown and now Battletoads.
— Ryan McCaffrey (@DMC_Ryan) January 21, 2015
Battletoads is coming. Been saying this since early last year. #KinectSportsRivals DLC and @XboxP3. pic.twitter.com/Txs48MaTkY
— Danny Peña (@godfree) January 21, 2015
I'm sorry but all I've taken from this is BATTLETOADS. #Windows10
— John (@OldManKaidan) January 21, 2015
Spencer was at the Windows 10 event to showcase the upcoming graphics API Direct X 12, as reported last month by IGN. However, judging by the reaction of those following the event, Windows 10 became an afterthought. Almost immediately, the discussion became less DX12 and more Battletoads. And who can blame most users? Xbox has been hinting at a possible Battletoads game since November of last year.
Got to play the new @RareLtd game today. Rare building a uniquely Rare game, as it should be. Great visit to the studio.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 11, 2014
The Windows 10 event was just another way for Spencer to covertly announce a game coming to his platform. Phil has been known to do this from time to time, specifically promoting certain titles through his wardrobe at major events, most notably E3. And while the event was centered around showcasing what the new Windows 10 operating system had to offer, this seemed to be overshadowed by an exec’s fashion choices.
Spencer did show off some of what makes gaming better with Windows 10, namely Direct X 12, but Xbox clearly stole the show, and what’s better than perfectly and indirectly tipping-off consumers on the future of one of your major studios? The other features listed by Spencer coming to Windows 10 were secondary only to the logo printed across the field of green that was Spencer’s T-shirt.
Not everyone seemed excited that Battletoads, or Xbox for that matter, was even referenced, no matter how subtle. The Windows 10 event also put on display the way mixed messaging can affect a consumer base. The event was to celebrate Windows 10 and the PC, and some felt as though the Xbox references were too much.
Microsoft seems more intent on making Windows PCs into Xbox One accessories than improving them as a gaming platform.
— Dan Stapleton didn’t pay $8 for this ? (@DanStapleton) January 21, 2015
In the end, the T-shirt was enough to send most sites into a frenzy. The Windows 10 event is likely the first tech-centric event that spurred a rash of T-shirt related video game stories (Polygon, the Verge), and that’s probably Spencer’s point. By continuing to use his wardrobe in a way to make headlines, Spencer not only made Xbox a trending topic, but also made sure that people were still looking for Windows 10 event news, which in the end is all Microsoft wants.
[Image via Polygon]
