Xbox Live wins an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement

On September 29th,
Microsoft will be recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) for its Xbox Live online gaming service with a Video Gaming Technology and Applications Emmy for Development of Multiplayer Console Technology.

NATAS is the sister organization to ATAS, the Academy of Television Arts
& Sciences, which is responsible for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards to be broadcast this Sunday the 18th from L.A. The NATAS Technology and Engineering ceremony, on the other hand, will take place in Princeton, NJ. (Hey, even the Daytime Emmy Awards gets telecast from New York City!) But Microsoft is edging ever closer (if incrementally) to some mainstream praise of its achievements in the
rough 'n
tumble gaming realm. This award is a far cry from snagging an Oscar for cinematic breakthroughs (perhaps something we'll a bit of come Halo 9), but it's a first step.
And at least the statuettes are related.

Microsoft wasn't the only winner in the second year of this relatively new prize, however. Sony was also honored for its contributions to "polygon consoles" with the PS1, and Atari was (posthumously) recognized for its impact on "8-bit consoles" with the 2600 as well. Of course, if Sony and Atari were awarded for their "long overdue achievements" from the past, then does that mean the Academy (or the awards panel, at least) feels that the Xbox and
its pricey Live service are the present and future of the gaming world? Well, we wouldn't speak so soon, judging by the winner of
last year's first Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Video Games: Jetix Cards Live!
Enhanced TV from ABC Family and Toon Disney. Jetix Who? Exactly.

[via IGN]