14 DAY TRIAL // After losing lots of money with Xbox, Microsoft is taking measures to prevent that from happening with Xbox 360.
In this way, companies which will be "blessed" by Microsoft, will be able to manufacture Xbox 360 accessories, such as game pads, joysticks and other types of controllers. As you probably expect, Microsoft won't bless producers for free, but in exchange of small part of the sales.
The Xbox 360 console will be launched in November, and it seems that Microsoft will include a security mechanism to allow only the connecting of authorized peripherals. Since Microsoft will also receive percents from producers of Xbox 360 games, it's likely that the new console will become a veritable money machine.
Microsoft refused to give more details on the licensing system or on the exact sums.
Microsoft had a similar certifying program for the previous model, but back then, peripheral producers were free to choose between money and displaying the Xbox logo on their equipments.
Apple has also such a program for iPod accessories. Those who want their iPod accessories to have the "Made for iPod" logo have to give the Cupertino company 10% of the sales.