PdotMichael
Banned
There are like 2 places in this world where the Xbox doesn't do poorly.
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Microsoft Will Focus Primarily On Xbox Live Usership, Not Console Shipments.
- Thread starter Hanmik
- Start date
There are like 2 places in this world where the Xbox doesn't do poorly.
Visualante2
Member
Hard to see this as anything other than a cop out. But at least Live makes them money. NIntendo has to lean on "critical reception" when talking about how successful the Wii U is.
I think Live needs to be more dynamic in what it offers if they're going down this route. Not just talking about the Games with Gold either. Fear they're fighting a losing battle when they don't have the lead on downloadable content like they enjoyed in the 360 era (Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty etc)
I think Live needs to be more dynamic in what it offers if they're going down this route. Not just talking about the Games with Gold either. Fear they're fighting a losing battle when they don't have the lead on downloadable content like they enjoyed in the 360 era (Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty etc)
sunshine and gasoline
Banned
Microsoft is clearly disappointed with its Xbox One sales.
More like ashamed at this point
Monty Mole
Member
There is at least some logic behind this - aside from the obvious spin.
Engagement is important - Nintendo showed with Wii that you can sell a lot of consoles, but if they don't get used all that often, or the owners aren't buying 3rd party games, then it's not particularly beneficial for the business ecosystem.
That said, if MS was to compare the active usership to PS4, then PS4 would certainly still win there too.
Engagement is important - Nintendo showed with Wii that you can sell a lot of consoles, but if they don't get used all that often, or the owners aren't buying 3rd party games, then it's not particularly beneficial for the business ecosystem.
That said, if MS was to compare the active usership to PS4, then PS4 would certainly still win there too.
dealer-
Member
You forgot Mexico.
The 8-Bit Raider
Member
Hmmm...true, two places is better than no places
Does silver still generate revenue via ads? Can silver account holders purchase the various media?
It has been a while since I was on Live.
samuraidino
Member
While there are most likely a shit tonne of Xboxlive subscriptions, that number is for Monthly Active Users, ie which id assume is a very carefully worded statement which throws anyone who uses any aspect of Xbox Live,including folks that don't pay and are using it for the likes of say,accessing the store into one big category.
Visualante2
Member
PSN flash sales are available to everyone and are crazy good. The extra PS+ discount is just icing on the cake.
SMOK3Y
Generous Member
Now that its basically over?
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Sounds reasonable to me.
Not sure why some in here are turning this into a console war thread.
Not sure why some in here are turning this into a console war thread.
DidntKnowJack
Member
No hate here, its just real hard not to roll your eyes when they say something like this. I'd feel the same if this were Sony.
TharpDaddy
Member
It makes sense. It fits their narrative of unifying all their platforms and it seems hardware dropped off but software picked up so they'll go with the metric that better reflects that.
This thread is going to become a thinly veiled console war battlefield.
This thread is going to become a thinly veiled console war battlefield.
I feel bad for them in Japan but that is the only region they are doing extremely poorly in. Elsewhere sales are good enough. The more games they get and the more they improve the software so I might even buy one. And I am not a fan of MS but I love games.
Not an xbox gamer so I don't know
DannyDanger
Member
I'm used to companies hiding sold through numbers
But hiding shipment numbers?
Thats new
But hiding shipment numbers?
Thats new
mentallyinept
Banned
Wow. Less than 2 years, and they are waving a white flag? Crazy.
Sure, they probably can't catch up to PS4 worldwide, but they can shore up the US where they are still competitive, and retool for next gen.
Sure, they probably can't catch up to PS4 worldwide, but they can shore up the US where they are still competitive, and retool for next gen.
Some Xbox One exclusives might be the hook to achieve that. Steam has not built its mindshare without heavily anticipated titles, Microsoft are free to do the same and I believe they can.
AndrewDean84xX
Banned
Give me exclusive reasons to play games on my XBO over my PS4 and they will continue to have me as an active XBL user.
I don't care much about performance differences between my consoles, as lower resolution or frames don't bother me in the slightest. I care more about which version has better content. Like Fallout 4 getting MODs first makes a difference to me.
I don't care much about performance differences between my consoles, as lower resolution or frames don't bother me in the slightest. I care more about which version has better content. Like Fallout 4 getting MODs first makes a difference to me.
Well then perhaps they will try to better that since live users is their focus.
But Xbox is clearly dead since Microsoft are ashamed of its sales number.
Dreamwriter
Member
So I guess my purchase and use of my XBox One doesn't count, since I don't subscribe to Live. Or maybe this means Microsoft will fight harder to make Live something I'd want to subscribe to...
DidntKnowJack
Member
Yeah. Weird how a subject like the reporting of console units sold would do that.
That was sarcasm, btw.
It's a very bad idea to only rely on a few markets, what if they collapse one day?
Katana_Strikes
Member
Funny thing is they will be shouting from the roof tops if they beat Sony in the US this fall.
Darkangel
Member
Goal-moving aside, I think it makes sense for the company going forward.
It's probably better to sell 20 million units with 20 million people locked into the MS ecosystem, than to sell 40 million units with only 10 million locked in the ecosystem. MS is slowly moving towards a service-oriented subscription business (Office 365, Onedrive, Skype). MS will also be expanding LIVE to a variety of Windows devices over time (phones, tablets, PCs, TV boxes). If people start using Xbox Live as their main "digital account" for games, movies, apps, etc, then they're much more likely to stick with MS over the competition.
Sony has an ecosystem of their own, but it's much more limited than what Microsoft is doing.
It's probably better to sell 20 million units with 20 million people locked into the MS ecosystem, than to sell 40 million units with only 10 million locked in the ecosystem. MS is slowly moving towards a service-oriented subscription business (Office 365, Onedrive, Skype). MS will also be expanding LIVE to a variety of Windows devices over time (phones, tablets, PCs, TV boxes). If people start using Xbox Live as their main "digital account" for games, movies, apps, etc, then they're much more likely to stick with MS over the competition.
Sony has an ecosystem of their own, but it's much more limited than what Microsoft is doing.
They are not failing in those markets though
Bolivar687
Banned
This whole units vs. engagement reminds me of that report about gaming amongst children. Console market share has shrunk but they're spending more and more time on them.
That said, that report said nothing about the hard numbers, I'd expect Xbox to be doing better than having to hide these numbers.
That said, that report said nothing about the hard numbers, I'd expect Xbox to be doing better than having to hide these numbers.
TharpDaddy
Member
Considering how small of a part of Microsoft's revenue Xbox is, I don't think they'd care much. I don't think it's a good idea to give up on other markets though, I agree.
If hardware sale is down and software sale is up how would numbers sold reflect that? Both Xbox Live numbers or Hardware numbers don't tell the whole picture.
With the ongoing push as a service-based business model on several fronts, it does make sense. Considering common-enough scenarios where hardware sales don't equate to the health of a platform ecosystem (i.e. high DS Lite/PSP hardware sales without matching software sales in light of piracy), it has merit.
Well, assuming they're talking about paying business interactions and not "times no-scoped in Call of Duty"
Well, assuming they're talking about paying business interactions and not "times no-scoped in Call of Duty"
I'm hopeful that Microsoft have learnt a lesson this time around and will come back with gaming as the primary focus for there next generation console.
I think Phil has done a great job so far, he certainly has taken the xbox one from being rock bottom to being a viable alternative to PS4 on the games front. The hardware will never change but its good to see them trying to correct flaws from the original launch.
Games for gold must have helped xbox live subs as its such a more viable proposition now as opposed to essentially paying a sub to play online.
Microsoft with a bloody nose better produce a better hardware competitor to the next generation playstation the next time around.
I think Phil has done a great job so far, he certainly has taken the xbox one from being rock bottom to being a viable alternative to PS4 on the games front. The hardware will never change but its good to see them trying to correct flaws from the original launch.
Games for gold must have helped xbox live subs as its such a more viable proposition now as opposed to essentially paying a sub to play online.
Microsoft with a bloody nose better produce a better hardware competitor to the next generation playstation the next time around.
djplaeskool
Member
This seems weird. Like, maybe they should do this in conjunction with, but not in lieu of shipments.
I had to sign up for an XBL account to do some stuff for Windows 10, so I know there's some (and potentially a lot of) crossover that's irrespective of hardware sales.
I had to sign up for an XBL account to do some stuff for Windows 10, so I know there's some (and potentially a lot of) crossover that's irrespective of hardware sales.
DarthWalden
Banned
Yeah for sure but they aren't and they aren't ever going to be this generation.
Console numbers are a poor reflection of revenue as they lose money on each console they sell so they are choosing to focus on customer engagement with live numbers.
This is something that Microsoft has been preaching for a while so it's not a surprise to see them focus on this in there earnings report.
It's basically removing the goalposts entirely and paving over the field. It's smart to focus on engagement though. Xbox only exists in two countries, for the most part, so they should focus on ensuring they maximize profit there and retain the customers they have.
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Angelus Errare
Banned
Charging for XBL on PC eh? Well like the old saying goes; "If at first you don't succeed..."
Mihos
Gold Member
Engagement doesn't equal revenue, unless they are going to start including ads in their financials, along side the android royalties.
SuperDowns
Banned
What if this is a fundamental shift in how MS is viewing their platform like allowing and showing off MS products on iOS events, Xbox is not just their console but everyone who bought into Windows 10 and any other platform they can get people to buy a subscription into.
sixteen-bit
Member
I wonder if they're gonna incentivise GWG with more popular games
PdotMichael
Banned
Only that someone who bought a Xbox will pay and buy quite a lot of games and services while your average W10 user just registered to the Xbox Live network to play some Solitaire.
The Xbox live users numbers are worthless.
Become? Thinly? Lol
MS has to present their info in the best light possible so I guess this is it. What a weird turn of events.