Microsoft's Xbox 360 division is seeing the profit

by Dustin Burg { Jan 25th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Compared to last year, Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division (the division that houses the Xbox 360) has pulled a metaphorical 360, going from major losses to major gains.

As part of their second quarter fiscal report, Microsoft revealed that sales from their Xbox 360 and Zune division rose three percent to $3.06 billion and was able to turn a profit. A profit of $357 million. Seeing a profit that high is in stark contrast with last year's financial numbers which saw the division losing $302 million. So, in effect, the Xbox 360 was able to reverse its losses and go up $650 million year over year. Not bad, especially for a Microsoft division that never saw a dime of profit in the original Xbox days. Congrats!

Tags: microsoft, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

xenocidic @ Jan 25th 2008 9:35AM

it's because of teh haloz

DjDATZ @ Jan 25th 2008 10:28AM

buy teh haloz

Mr Cool @ Jan 25th 2008 9:44AM

it's because of t3h CoD4z

xenocidic @ Jan 25th 2008 10:10AM

MGS didn't publish cod4zzzz

Josh @ Jan 25th 2008 9:49AM

Hmm...a little game called Halo 3 couldn't have contributed to that at all :) Great job Microsoft! Keep bringing the good games and I'll keep emptying my wallet.

Dr Ecksack @ Jan 25th 2008 9:52AM

but its also because of the Mass Effectz (and blue lezboz)

Soyle Mycelf @ Jan 25th 2008 10:00AM

Unfortunately, pulling a 360 would put them back where they started. I believe the term you are looking for (but not as thematically relevant) is 180.

(yes I have nothing better to do than pedantically point out mistakes like this)

Jon @ Jan 25th 2008 10:12AM

Haha yeah. I was confused there for a little until I realized what he meant.

Boff @ Jan 26th 2008 3:03PM

What if they pulled a 360 then Moonwalked? That'd work.

Scott @ Jan 25th 2008 10:00AM

MS also turned a profit the quarter that Halo 2 was released. That was the only quarter they've done so until now.

Good to see them put two quarters together like this.

Knuckles Dawson @ Jan 25th 2008 10:01AM

It would be 180°.

If they start losing money again, then it'll be 360°.

cranium @ Jan 25th 2008 10:21AM

yes, it would initially be 180. but if they start losing money again it will be 180 the second time as well. or 540. tomato, tomato

Knuckles Dawson @ Jan 25th 2008 10:30AM

Yeah, that's what I said: 180+180= 360 from the initial point of reference.

540 would be once they make profit after the hypothetical financial misstep.

Larry not allowed to say cheevo @ Jan 25th 2008 10:31AM

Yeah, just change that one part to 180° and we'll be all good. You see, a 360° turn would be a complete circle.

...The more you know!

Etchasketchist @ Jan 25th 2008 4:24PM

Geometry Wars!!

Brian @ Jan 25th 2008 2:43PM

"pulled a 360, going from major losses to major gains" Even David Copperfield couldn't do something like this.

Tony @ Jan 25th 2008 10:16AM

I thought this had been reported a few months back? That the entertainment division was already gaining a profit?

That's one of the things that made that "secret of the RROD" thing seem so odd, as the guy was claiming they weren't seeing a profit at all.

DjDATZ @ Jan 25th 2008 10:36AM

Yea...Their first fiscal quarter ended at the end of September...so because of Halo 3 they already saw a profit then. But since Halo 3 sold really really well in the rest of the actual year, then MS kept reaping the rewards from it into this past fiscal quarter.

Mike @ Jan 25th 2008 10:39AM

I think a lot of things went into this profitability -

1. Halo 3 - it sold almost five million in three months.

2. Ads. You don't realize it, but each ad you see on the 360's dashboard represents an asston of money for MS - Cell phone companies, movie studios, and broadband providers all have a great big advertising stiffy when it comes to the 18-24 male demographic - the people in said demographic spend more money than anyone else - they also happen to make up the bulk of 360 gamers.

3. XBL gold - more subscribers means more cash in MS's pocket.

4. Microtransactions - MS gets a cut on all of them. ALL OF THEM.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.

mattclarkie @ Jan 25th 2008 10:42AM

Well I bought 15 games last year, so at £40 each I gave MS £600. Now I am living on Rice and Seetcorn.

mattclarkie @ Jan 25th 2008 10:43AM

Plus an additional £45 for the Vision Cam Live Sub pack. So I gave them £645.

As I type I am by a single candle.

Oorang @ Jan 25th 2008 12:17PM

Plus Bill gates turned into a potato...big dollar there.

Robert Aitchison @ Jan 25th 2008 1:41PM

It's a lot of factors really.

Master chief really did his part of course, it's hard to argue with the idea of him "leading the way here.

A bunch of Marines, SAS and "OpFor" also fought and died for this accomplishment. Of course they also fought on the side of the "enemy"

To be sure Commander Sheppard and his/her blue alien *girl*firend did their part while saving all sentient life in the Galaxy.

Let it not be forgotten the sacrifices of countless Big Daddy "volunteers" not to mention the little sisters they protect (please, won't somebody think of the little sisters?)

Also figter "Ace" Talisman and his wingman Shamrock, Garuda team provided some great close air support, even propelling the 360 above the PS3 in Japan, even if it was for only one week.

And stealthily we even had an Assassin who murdered his way through to do his part, of course like the military members mentioned above, this Assassin's services were available to others who could afford his price.

And in the background a supporting cast of guitar players (and drummers & singers), racecar drivers, even movie moguls.

Congrats to all!