I’m rather glad for the executive shakeup that happened at Microsoft. Don “The Jacket” Mattrick’s departure, couple with Steve Ballmer’s exit as the head of the company opened up doors for more forward-thinking individuals to head up one of the largest tech companies in the world.
Since the affable, more human and decidedly less robotic Phil Spencer took over the Xbox side of things, there’s been a more personable face, and more “gamer” oriented decisions made; things like the excision of Kinect, backwards compatibility and a focus on first party and exclusive games. The same can be said for CEO Satya Nadella, who’s made the company seem like it’s one staffed by actual people.
And it’s starting to show. Xbox One sales have certainly picked up – though they’re still obfuscated, lumped in with Xbox 360 sales. According to Microsoft 1.4 million Xbox One and Xbox 360 consoles combined were shipped between April 1st and June 30th, up from 1.1 the year prior. It’s not a huge jump, but one has to assume that this time around, the bulk of that number is made up of Xbox Ones.
Says Nadella:
“Our approach to investing in areas where we have differentiation and opportunity is paying off with Surface, Xbox, Bing, Office 365, Azure and Dynamics CRM Online all growing by at least double-digits. And the upcoming release of Windows 10 will create new opportunities for Microsoft and our ecosystem”
Here are the salient points from Microsoft’s latest financials, in handy-dandy bulletpoint form for easy digestion.
- Xbox Platform revenue increased $86 million or 10%, driven by higher volumes of consoles sold, offset in part by lower prices of Xbox Ones sold. We sold 1.4 million consoles in the fourth quarter compared to 1.1 million consoles during the prior year.
- Computing and Gaming Hardware revenue included an unfavorable foreign currency impact of approximately 6%.
- Xbox Live transactions revenue increased $205 million or 58%, reflecting increased users and revenue per user.
- Total Xbox revenue grew 27% based on strong growth in consoles, Xbox Live transactions and first party games.
Gaming is big business for Microsoft, and it’s expected to become even bigger once Windows 10 is out. PCs and Xbox Ones will soon be joined at the hip, part of the same ecosystem with game streaming betwixt the two soon becoming a reality.
“Gaming is an important scenario for Windows 10, and our success with Xbox this quarter gives us a strong starting position heading into launch. Xbox Live users grew 22% this quarter, and logged nearly 3.5 billion hours of gameplay.
Our growing fanbase is excited for the best games line-up in our history. All of this comes together with Windows 10 where fans can connect with each other, stream all of their Xbox One games to Windows 10 and experience the best virtual reality platform thanks to our partnership with Oculus and Valve.”
Last Updated: July 22, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:05
Xbox One salve…
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:11
I need some Xbox One Salve for my genital herpes…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:14
It’s for hands, knees, heels & elbows – you might need a different topical cream. Should ask Rince.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:14
It’s important to keep your analogue sticks clean
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:17
But it was Pamela Anderson… 🙁
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:21
Well that should teach you for using fake brands.
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:27
But it was Pamela Anderson… 🙁
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:29
Haha. Seems like you’re quite convinced you have a solid statement there. XD
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:36
See above for solids…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:29
She’s a fake brand. ;P
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:34
What? Her fake????
Refresh
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:36
Exactly! See what I mean? Who’s hair curls like that naturally?
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:42
Damn these celebs and their fake hair!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:48
She’s setting unrealistic standards for all RAMA containers out there.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:49
Well that gives Rendezvous with Rama a new meaning.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 10:37
LOL
Chuckster
July 22, 2015 at 10:00
fail
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:09
I don’t want to be joined at the hip with an Xbox. It’s a flighty,overweight, siamese twin with unsavoury partners & habits. :/
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:12
And yet it still managed to score Lara Croft…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:14
Don’t ruin it.
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:16
I know! It’s like seeing your ex-girlfriend hook up with the ugliest guy in school… And that guy used to be your best friend…
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:21
Plot twist…you were the best friend? ;P
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 09:25
Dude, I am ugly but sweet Lords above I am not THAT ugly.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:25
Haha. Didn’t expect that. XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:25
And the gf.
Chuckster
July 22, 2015 at 10:01
maybe one day when you score something you wont be such a doos anymore
Dutch Matrix
July 22, 2015 at 10:36
Score something? Something? Oh… You love having sexual relations with catfish? http://katv.images.worldnow.com/images/15038011_BG1.jpg
Don’t project Dude…
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:14
Sounds like you described a pc there.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 22, 2015 at 09:17
YOU’RE ALSO RUINING IT.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
July 22, 2015 at 09:21
Pleasure 🙂
Pieter Kruger
July 22, 2015 at 09:25
Apparently keyboard and mouse support for Xbox One coming soon?! But WHY?? It’s a console……..Need to get my hands on the Rare Replay limited edition, desperately need that Battletoad T-shirt!
Ir0nseraph
July 22, 2015 at 09:27
The keyboard and mouse seems pointless, especially now that you can stream to a win 10 pc/laptop.
Pieter Kruger
July 22, 2015 at 09:29
$28 billion profit in 4th quarter!!! Fantastic!! Take note Sony, this is how you do it…..????
oVg Reality is an illusion
July 22, 2015 at 09:30
lol