For a while now, Microsoft has shied away from reporting its console sales figures, instead favouring reports on user engagement. In its latest financial report, Microsoft has done just that – and it seems that in general, more people are using Xbox Live than they were a year ago. So that’s a good thing, right?
According to their results, Xbox Live monthly active users grew 26% year-over-year to 46 million active users, though it must be said that the number is down from 48 million in the last quarter. Given that the last quarter represented the holiday period though, that’s not surprising.
According to the report, gaming revenue as a whole grew by 6%, while revenue from gaming software grew 11%. Hardware revenue is a different picture though. Thanks to the lower sales of the now discontinued Xbox 360 and lower pricing of the Xbox One at retail, Microsoft is reporting a dip in hardware revenue. That drop is, however, offset by the increased user base – which means better games sales.
Though Microsoft still doesn’t report on sales figures, it’s suggested that the Xbox One has now sold around 20 million units. While that’s very nearly half of what the PlayStation 4 has sold to date, it’s still tracking higher than both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 did at the same point in their cycles – so console gaming is still doing just fine.
That said, until Microsoft releases something more concrete we have no real way of knowing how many Xbox Ones have been sold, and have to instead rely on the mumblings of industry people, and extrapolate on that information.
Last Updated: April 22, 2016
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
April 22, 2016 at 08:58
My wife went to a function last night, one of the prizes was an Xbox one with loads of goodies, who wins it? The lady that accompanied her…I’m…well… a little lost for words really…
Strawman Jim
April 22, 2016 at 10:58
Clearly you must have been a serial killer or Jacob Zuma in a past life; It’s called karma old man… cough!
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
April 22, 2016 at 11:22
Well, if it works on the law of averages, where everyone will experience an equal amount of joy, but spread over the course of your life, then I am going to have one hell of a party on my death bed!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 22, 2016 at 10:21
Strawman Jim
April 22, 2016 at 10:55
So their annual xbox live user numbers grew by 26%, yet they lost nearly 2 million active subscribers since last quarter? Hahahahah Comeon! That makes no sense. Is Phil Spencer drunk again? Is he playing with the stats again?
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 22, 2016 at 11:35
User numbers grew because people were forced to open Live accounts to activate their new Boner. 😉