Gamingunion: To Bill Gates' credit, Microsoft continues to cling to the Japanese market with a bulldog grip, but word has started coming in about Japanese retailers phasing out the Xbox 360. It looks like the Xbox 360's time is up in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Though Microsoft did in fact move 1.5 million units by last June, that's still a pretty pitiful number when you take into account that the Xbox 360 has been available in Japan since 2005. Even the PlayStation Vita, which everyone has been making doomsday forecasts about, has sold approx 500-600k in just three months.
Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.
Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.
Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.
"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."
That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.
As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people
Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much
Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region
Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.
I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games
Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo
The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.
Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"
Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”
Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever
Nice one ☝️
This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.
No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.
Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.
Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?
Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.
The 360 died in Japan a long time ago to be honest, just took a while for anyone to notice. lol
yep i have to agree with article
yes, because there's no market for any form of 'adult' gaming ! it's all one big anime cartoon kiddie-fest !
It's hard to make games for the japanese. They like a certain style that Americans dont favor. Their style is different, that's all im saying.
It's easy for Sony because they are Japanese. It's a double edge sword, we (americans) like their story games, but they dont like our fps games. So, IMO, it's easier for Sony than MSFT. Japanese also have nation pride, so they want to see Sony succeed. Americans does too, that's why all these fps shooters are pro America.
But, i dont think the 360 is dead, if MSFT keeps trying they will get buyers. But, should they care about the east if they are moving enough units in the west? That's the question.
I think the answer is yes. Japanese have a unique style. They have brought us great games and will continue to. MSFT should not give up on the East, if they do, they have any common sense and should step aside and let Apple take over.
Both MSFT and Sony are great companies. They need to stay motivated and continue advancing. Better for us gamers in the end.
Gotta pay the troll-toll. :]