I'm wondering if this even matters as a metric anymore, given how Microsoft reported that Xbox Game Pass reached nearly $5 billion in annual revenue over the previous year. That's not to say they probably didn't earn anything from console sales, but that's not where the money is for them, so I don't see why sales numbers in that segment would matter at all.
I mean, their "real" business is now in games publishing, the hardware is just a side hustle at this point. That's even how they're pitching the next-gen Xbox, as a "very premium, high-end" product. Maybe we can be forgiven for being trapped in the status quo of thinking of Xbox as a gaming console first, but I believe those days are gone.
When you start thinking primarily of Xbox as a games publisher (the biggest in the world at this point), who just so happen to sell a hardware option, the whole "who sold more boxes" argument starts to look a little insignificant.
I've been a Nintendo fanboy most of my life, but with the release of the Switch 2 this year I couldn't continue any more. Somehow Nintendo lost their way, and no longer feel like the magic, innovative, risk-taking company they were, and instead are just following the fastest path to revenue, regardless of what's best for their customers, their brands, or even the company for that matter. I can't blame a business for aiming to be profitable, but I started to feel like it was at my expense.
So, this year I wanted to switch to something which I felt put gamers first, focused on what's best for the broader gaming ecosystem, and offered superior hardware and services at reasonable prices. And that's how I ended up getting an Xbox Series X with Game Pass Ultimate, and I haven't looked back. It's honestly been one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a very long time. I genuinely feel like it offers the most player friendly environment available, and I'm actually excited to see how the future pans out for Xbox, with the new direction they're taking it.
Comments 2
Re: Latest Sales Estimates Suggest Xbox Sold Over Two Million Series X|S Consoles In 2025
I'm wondering if this even matters as a metric anymore, given how Microsoft reported that Xbox Game Pass reached nearly $5 billion in annual revenue over the previous year. That's not to say they probably didn't earn anything from console sales, but that's not where the money is for them, so I don't see why sales numbers in that segment would matter at all.
I mean, their "real" business is now in games publishing, the hardware is just a side hustle at this point. That's even how they're pitching the next-gen Xbox, as a "very premium, high-end" product. Maybe we can be forgiven for being trapped in the status quo of thinking of Xbox as a gaming console first, but I believe those days are gone.
When you start thinking primarily of Xbox as a games publisher (the biggest in the world at this point), who just so happen to sell a hardware option, the whole "who sold more boxes" argument starts to look a little insignificant.
Re: Talking Point: How Much Time Have You Spent Gaming On Xbox Consoles This Year?
I've been a Nintendo fanboy most of my life, but with the release of the Switch 2 this year I couldn't continue any more. Somehow Nintendo lost their way, and no longer feel like the magic, innovative, risk-taking company they were, and instead are just following the fastest path to revenue, regardless of what's best for their customers, their brands, or even the company for that matter. I can't blame a business for aiming to be profitable, but I started to feel like it was at my expense.
So, this year I wanted to switch to something which I felt put gamers first, focused on what's best for the broader gaming ecosystem, and offered superior hardware and services at reasonable prices. And that's how I ended up getting an Xbox Series X with Game Pass Ultimate, and I haven't looked back. It's honestly been one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a very long time. I genuinely feel like it offers the most player friendly environment available, and I'm actually excited to see how the future pans out for Xbox, with the new direction they're taking it.
So yeah, it's been nearly all Xbox for me!