Microsoft Brings the Political "Game" to Xbox 360 Users

Microsoft has partnered with Rock the Vote and embarked on a new initiative designed to "harvest" new registrants for the 2008 election. In this context, the Redmond company announced that it has opened its Xbox LIVE network to Rock the Vote. As a direct consequence, users of Xbox gaming consoles will be able to get involved in presidential polls, have their opinions heard in relation to the two U.S. presidential candidates, and even register to vote. According to the software company, the first day of the Democratic National Convention, August 25, will also be synonymous with the start of the campaign.

"The Xbox LIVE community is active, vocal and passionate," explained Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox LIVE. "We're thrilled to partner with Rock the Vote to make it easier than ever for youth voters - and our members - to register and be heard."

Via Xbox, Microsoft will virtually "fight" on both sides of the U.S. electoral front, as the consoles will be present at both the Democrat and Republican conventions in 2008. And through Xbox LIVE, Microsoft is allowing Rock the Vote to reach in excess of 12 million users across the U.S.

"Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters," added Heather Smith, executive director, Rock the Vote. "To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE."

Microsoft has already revealed that it will play a key role in this year's Democrat and Republican conventions. At both events, the Redmond giant will make sure that technology and politics will be married in order to deliver a new level of "user experience" to voters. But Microsoft's involvement will not stop at the Xbox, but will also encompass additional technologies including Silverlight and Surface.