"Microsoft vs IBM."

The historically aware know about the significance of this statement.

Right now, at the Austin Game Conference, it's taking on new significance.

I'm stoked Microsoft has released a free version of their XNA development tools, and opened Xbox Live so publishers can host their own content.

But they have to.

I'm holding a brochure from IBM, and they're in the game.

Besides extending Rational BuildForge for games, they can apply the Cell Broadband Engine, Blade Server and their hosting as product and service offerings for online games.

They've extended their source control, content, and asset management software for game development.

And IBM isn't even a game-centric company. But they're IBM.

And Microsoft is Microsoft.

"Microsoft vs IBM."

Game on ...