Microsoft has downsized the capacity of the hard drive on its upcoming Xbox video game console and made it more family friendly. In a REUTERS report, Microsoft confirmed that the drive capacity will shrink to 8 gigabytes (GB) from the previously advertised 10 GB. Microsoft declined to explain why the change was made, only that the change was not due to manufacturing problems. This news comes on the heels of Microsofts announcement that the Xbox will be the first videogame console with a built-in parental control to restrict childrens game play based on ESRB ratings. The settings can then be protected by a password. In other Xbox news, it was announced on Monday, October 15, 2001 that over 6,700 Taco Bell locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico will give away an Xbox system, a game controller and a video game title to one consumer in every restaurant. Customers who make a purchase at participating Taco Bell restaurants October 18 to October 28, 2001 will receive a "Win It Before You Can Buy It" sweepstakes ticket. Consumers then go online at www.xbox.com and enter their sweepstakes ticket number into a random drawing for an Xbox and one video game. Xbox is scheduled to be in stores on November 15, 2001.
