Microsoft selling Xbox division to Amazon: "Ridiculous" says Aaron Greenberg

Aaron Greenberg commented this after a fan asked him to stop the insane rumours about Microsoft selling its Xbox division to Amazon.

Finally, someone from Microsoft denied what the insider atFamousmortimer suggested.

[GamersHeaven]

Yea ok Greenturd why should we believe a lying sleazeball like you? Btw love the tweet below Greenturds tweet lol

[Angels3785]

Not that I think this is very likely...but even if it was....a person from the xbox division would not tell you it was happening.

especially greenberg

[jimbobwahey]

Yeah, the guy's one of the slimiest liars in the business. I'd love to see Xbox sold to Amazon just to see this clown put out of a job, 'cause people like him are nothing but cancer to the industry.

[cleft5]

The problem with this is that Greenberg and Major Nelson credibility isn't strong enough for you to believe anything they have to say. Greenberg has gone on rants about the Cloud making the Xbox One more powerful and Major Nelson is famous for the whole Angry Joe thing, where he said it's not like you can just flip a switch to turn off the DRM. A short period later, basically Microsoft flipped a switch and turned off the DRM.

Looking at this news, it wouldn't really surprise me if it was true that Microsoft was selling the Xbox division off. The Xbox division has cost them billions of dollars every year and the rumor is that their new CEO doesn't want to keep the Xbox division around because it is costing them profits. Then you have all of those key CEO quitting Microsoft with no real reason being given. Something is clearly going on and you can't take Greenberg's word or any of these guys word on it because they shot their credibility in the foot. Only time will tell if this is true or not.

[georgeenoob]

This is nothing more than wishful thinking from fanboys. Ever since the X1 was announced they've been on some propaganda mission to make it seem like Xbox is doomed, yet it had a MUCH more successful launch than 360.

In a way, I like how the playstation fans speak loud because MS is listening to everyone of them, and improving the X1 accordingly. The more criticism, the better. MS will constantly make up for ANY criticism, as they did with last E3.

Can't wait for E3 2014 when MS when they showcase more exclusives and improvements to X1 in response to the playstation fans' desperate campaign.

[TomShoe]

Not surprising, of course he was going to say no.

What would be the point of buying an XBO if you knew the company was going to sell of the brand in a year? A lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of Xbox.

[BDSE]

Yeah because its not like they've u-turned in the past, right?

[lolCHILLbro]

@Angels, he was NOT lying about seeing all games outputed in 1080p, they are upscaled and outputed in 1080p even if they arent native 1080p, samething for PS4 aswell i imagine, but i guess its an Xbox guy so.........

[ABizzel1]

2 days later:

Amazon buys Xbox division.

OT: I don't see it happening, if anything I'd prefer they shrink into a smaller company and continue making their IP's, peripherals, and XBL for PC and/or PlayStation.

They could really focus on bringing to the PC space what many hoped Steam Machines would, a simplified, harmonious, solution.

[scott182]

@lolCHILLbro

He was lying in a way though, because the average person wouldn't understand what he was talking about, and that's why he said it.
The picture is being stretched to 1080p, it is very different than native 1080p in clarity.

If there wasn't a big difference then companies wouldn't care about making a game in native 1080p, they would just let the machine upscale it every time.

[swansong]

Maybe thats why Amazon bought Double Helix Studios. Amazon would be a benefit to the XBO.

[Pro Racer]

Sell it to Amazon to get even more ads all over the place like the Kindle Fire as well as a premium-priced "no ads" console? No thanks, the current dashboard is bad enough.

[InTheLab]

I believe him. It's not like they can just flip a switch and ...... Oh wait

[Giul_Xainx]

I think Amazon would do a much better job with future Xbox consoles if they did purchse the division.

I know for sure that Amazon would not force a stupid camera in every box. They also would not have crazy check in ideas sprawling from it. And above all: I would actually buy an xbox without worrying about being screwed anymore.

As long as Microsoft is attached to any console's market strategy I will not touch it.

[Anon1974]

Not that I believe a word Greenberg says (his track record speaks for itself) but as others have mentioned, what's he supposed to say? Even if they were working on a spinoff, they're not going to breath a word of it until they're ready to unveil their plans.

At the end of the day the Xbox division hasn't been about to keep up to the other divisions within the company when it comes to return on capital invested. That's a problem, and we also know that forces within Microsoft consider the Xbox as "non-essential" to Microsoft's overall strategy and are actively promoting the spinoff of the business. There's no secret here. The question is with Ballmer no longer there to champion the Xbox as he's been doing for years, what's next?

If anything happens though, I can't imagine we'll hear anything until after their fiscal year end which is towards the end of July. Bloomberg had a good look at this issue a few months back that's worth a read.

http://www.bloomberg.com/ne...

[Withdreday]

Didn't he deny the PS4 being more powerful and even when as far as to say "games are looking the exact same" as well?

Why should anyone believe this guy? Seems like he'll say anything to not hurt sales.

[Nocando]

So what choice does he have then? If he says nothing, then you would say its true, and if he flat out denies it, then you say he is lying.

[DragonKnight]

@georgenoob: "MS will constantly make up for ANY criticism."

And yet Kinect is still bundled with the Xbox One.

[SilentNegotiator]

Even if it were true, you'd have to get MS executives to have a meeting at Watergate to find out.

[Wizard_King]

Oh please, please, please MS sell up and leave the gaming world for good. From GFWL, to Xbox live, to yearly subs, to season pass's (vomits) MS has done nothing but crap on gamers and the gaming industry as a whole since their entered the ring.

Only children that don't know better love MS.

Please sell up, please...

Go back to making new operating systems that nobody wants to upgrade to.

[UltimateMaster]

Don't think selling it to Amazon would be a good idea.
Google or Apple maybe, but Amazon?
It's like selling Xbox to Walmart.

[Aomizuchi]

Well seeing as Greenberg is not on the board of directors and is basically just PR for Xbox, common sense tells me that even if there was a decision to dump Xbox he isn't going to know about it until the decision is made. His comment is baseless.

[ThanatosDMC]

@Wizard King

Totally forgot about how horrible GFWL games are. I just stopped playing those games because for some odd reason they always required me to reset my password every month. No idea why.

[chaosdemon09]

Or he's not even in the loop when these talks are happening. Amazon is a great company. If they got behind the Xbox I may consider getting one. And I've hated the Xbox since day one. Always loved Sony and still do. But if amazon gets in on the Xbox is a game changer. There customer service is one of the best in the world. Hell I preordered my ps4 with them and they charged my card before they shipped. What did they do to make up for it? Change my standard shipping to next day shipping so I got my ps4 day one. That's something I won't forget.

Lets not forget they take back any kindle fire and give me a new one every time. My mom,sister and her kids all have them. The charger port messes up, they send another,broken screen? Here ya go.

It's not a matter of getting what I want. They know there product is made cheaply and don't bitch back to a customer when it breaks. If it doesn't break great you have a happy customer, if it breaks? Where sorry..here's another. They stand behind there name and deliver no matter what. So ya again..amazon buys Xbox ill get one.

[Automatic79]

People will believe anything these days.

[Mr Pumblechook]

I do think the story is ridiculous. But if there was some truth to it Greenberg wouldn't know because he is not high enough in Microsoft to be in talks about these things.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Yeah dude. Remember those hilarious rumors about Microsoft last year?

Oh man, it was just so dumb! Microsoft was going to DRM-lock every single game. And...and get THIS! They were going to require their new Xbox to be always online!

Cant you believe that people actually thought those rumors were true? Just crazy.

[Wizard_King]

A sub division that doesn't make and money is a sub division that doesn't make any money. It doesn't matter how you twist it, going broke and not making profits will send a company under or force it to sell of said sub division.

Here's hoping anyway.

[Akuma07]

There is some credibility to it.

These days companies are looking to streamline themselves, Microsoft's new CEO is championing streamlined products and operations.

The XBox division is a big thorn in the new CEO's grand plans for MS. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Pogmathoin]

Gamers.... Very mature... People will stop and listen to you now.... Not!

[Elit3Nick]

says the one bubble...

[Automatic79]

The fact that you judge on one Bubble shows you immature.

[TheSaint]

@MichaelLito79 You have to do some serious trolling to lose even one bubble.

So, yeah, one bubble people are not worth listening to.

[christocolus]

@gamershaeven

sthu...whats with gamers like you acting like kids all the time. if you have nothing relevant to say then learn to control your tongue. keep jumping into articles and taking trash...how old are you?

[Hicken]

You're right. Your comment is SO much more relevant. And remember that time when your comments pretty much amounted to "lol" for like a week or two? TOTALLY relevant.

Anyway, when I hear things like this, I remember when Bobby Petrino told us Falcons fans he wasn't going anywhere, only to hear him calling the pigs in Arkansas the very next day.

Greenberg and Microsoft have a far less reliable track record- especially recently- than Petrino, and I hate that bastard.

[SniperControl]

@georgenoob

And you still think Sony are gonna sit on there hands and do nothing further to improve PS4.

That Sony has no new games coming out, that E3 will just be a showcase for MS......

You seriously need to open your eyes and stop being a total fanboy.

[Magicite]

Microsoft = "Ridiculous"

[showtimefolks]

its MS their executives like major nelson and greenberg are known for lying and or making up stuff. Investors are not happy with how much money MS spend on gaming division writing those blank checks to cover for exclusive content or times exclusives

[calis]

Greenburg's a PR mouthpiece. As if he would know.

[Visiblemarc]

Yeah not to mention that:

- the division is unprofitable.
-there have been internal/external rumblings within/outside Microsoft for ages about selling.
-Amazon is moving into console gaming and has a large bankroll.

So yeah, how is this a ridiculous theory?

[snake_eater]

those disagrees...looks like the xbox and greenberg fanboys are in full force today.
Yes the guy is pretty much a douchebag.

[Angels3785]

This whole thing is a bit unlikely atm...at least until more information surfaces.

[Naga]

At the end of the day, most people will believe whatever they want to believe, regardless of how reasonable that belief may be.

This is no different.

[General Pinky]

Microsoft is not stupid to sell off Xbox.
Its the only band that is known worldwide now for them plus its in most living rooms in the UK, USA. Remember the all in one entertainment box which they need to battle it out with APPLE TV & GOOGLE.

[ShwankyShpanky]

<85million is "most living rooms in the US/UK?"

[BattleAxe]

It's 80.5 Million, and at least 25% of those are no longer functioning due to RRoD.

[ShwankyShpanky]

@BattleAxe: Personally, I'd put it at even less than that, but I figured I'd just use sales numbers to be generous and avoid dispute. ;-)

[Akuma07]

80.5 million is the total number of Xbox 360's sold.

This includes the numerous consoles that people bought when their 360's RRoD'd. So the number of people who own a console is significantly less. Also there is a large number of house holds with multiple consoles in the house, again, reducing the number of house holds in total.

[BitbyDeath]

Windows and Office are far more known worldwide than Xbox.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

Yes and that is the reason investors want to drop the xbox and focus more on making windows more of an intergal part of more devices. They see windows is faltering a bit so this could be the case

[MorePowerOfGreen]

Well the trolls got what they wanted anyways. PS fans running around saying it's a possibility or that it could happen. They're trying to chip away at MSFT consumer confidence. A flat out lie is now a possibility now, if things don't work out according to the trolls movable goal post criteria. Why would a company invest so much money in a market that brings them impressive revenue only to get rid of it? LMAO Getting rid of XBox would cripple the company from a loss standpoint. The XBOX brand is infused with the ecosystem and is symbiotic to the other products. XB1 is the platform for many of their services.

Like Google selling Android times 2.

[jgrigs09]

Guarantee 7 of those disagrees
Is a fanboy who wants Xbox to go away. Or knows the market now

[Kingthrash360]

lol...your a funny guy.
i think this fanboy war thing makes you lose sleep at night.
smh "getting rid of xbox would cripple the company from a loss standpoint"? lmao....just wow. they survived the loss of the original xbox...they survived the massive loss that was the rrod.
why would getting rid of xbox branch cripple a multi billion dollar company that is ms?
smh your fanboy logic defies all that is truth...congratulations.

[jimbobwahey]

Xbox/Surface/Bing are all part of the same division, which happens to be causing Microsoft to bleed a LOT of money. The longer Microsoft keeps these things going, the more money they lose, which is why shareholders have long been demanding that Microsoft get rid of them to focus on their enterprise business (Office etc.) and Windows, which actually do make the company money. So far Xbox has just been a failed effort to win the living room, costing the company a lot of money in the process.

[hellzsupernova]

the xbxo brand is not infused into shit, the xbox arm is just an entertainment devision that could be sold just as easily as sony sold vaio

[SniperControl]

If the Xbox brand is doing so well and earning MS a bucket load of money, why are two major board members/investors asking the brand to be sold off?

[mmc-007]

you're comparing xbox with Android? wow... just wow. This only shows the level of intelligence the average xbox fan has.

[Akuma07]

The mentality of Xbox fanboys is so interesting to me.

I am not sure what it reminds me of, pure denial, or stockholm syndrome.

It is kind of like when you see the women who marry serial killers and maniacs. You can look at them all day long and never understand why they chose to side with someone like that.

No matter how many facts or credible pieces of information are shown to yolu guys, you fiercly deny anything that would harm your beloved XBox brand.

The facts are:
-The new CEO of Microsoft has defined his vision for the company, a vision which contradicts the Xbox One's existence.
-Several investors in Microsoft have been calling for them to sell off the XBox brand and focus on core products for many years now, and with a new CEO who ALSO shares the same desire to push core products, now could be the time for this to happen.

Of course doing this RIGHT NOW would utterly destroy the Xbox brand forever. So it probably won't happen for a few years, but it is not impossible, and recent events lend credibility to the rumors.

Of course, XBox fans will scream and shout and call me a Sony Pony (worst name ever), because they can't come to terms with the two facts above.

EDIT: Third fact I forgot to mention. Amazon has been looking to expand into the gaming industry in a big way.

[LOL_WUT]

Not sure about Amazon but I wouldn't mind seeing Apple give it another shot ;)

[jgrigs09]

Um apple had the chance to buy out Sony I'm 2010....

[M-M]

I guess you wouldn't mind seeing the price quadruple either.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Apple... The Nazis of the industry!!
Screw them micro managed to death everything they touch!

[admiralvic]

Apple is WAY too much like Nintendo and you can see how that is working out for them.

Apple is big on security / control, doing their own thing and such.

I have no doubt in my mind that Apple would probably be the first always online or at least disc less system. I am also sure it would probably work very similar to the Apple TV (which they would probably drop) and have a very decreased focus on gaming. Like I mentioned above, I could also see Apple doing things that benefit them when designing the console and pretty much telling third party companies to deal with it.

[TrueJerseyDevil]

If Microsoft wants to sell of the Xbox division they should sell it to Apple

[Master-H]

Ahh i can see it now, Xbone S, 999.99$ , all white with specs lower than a Wii U lol.
Seriously though i think this is highly unlikely.

[LOL_WUT]

Specs lower than a WiiU? Is that even possible? ;)

[ps360s]

you forgot...it can only work with Apple TV :D

[SniperControl]

Realisticly, I either see Samsung entering the fray or Nvidia diving back into console gaming.

[BitbyDeath]

Has Greenberg said anything that was true at all this gen?
If anything this just gives the rumour more credence. He should just keep his mouth shut.

[porkChop]

Yeah if you look further down these tweets he claims that Titanfall isn't on PS4 because it's apparently an Xbox exclusive, which it most definitely is not.

[kingdom18]

So if I tell you the sky is blue, you would trust whatever I say????

[porkChop]

@kingdom18

I'm not really sure what that has to do with what I said.

[blackout]

It's not hard to believe sony fans started this. Sony fan want everyone to be as BROKE as they are. Weather Microsoft sells or not, sony as a company will always be on there asses wishing they made as much mony as Microsoft makes. Microsoft makes billions and billions off just patents, sony cant seem to get out of there own way. A console is a console but running a business is something sony has forgotten. Game ON

[hellzsupernova]

gaming is something microsoft has forgotten

[xx4xx]

3 generations of consoles.....billions invested. ...franchises purchased.....exclusives secured...yeah, I'll have to disagree.

[BitbyDeath]

Amazon just recently bought Double Helix, if anything them owning Xbox will lead to more developer acquisitions which Xbox needs to properly compete with Playstation.

You only see negative where there is positive.

[SniperControl]

Right....bribing people on youtube to endorse the x1 is how to run a business..........whatever dude

[Walker]

Evade ? i think this rumor is true !

[Metallox]

Ridiculously possible.

But come on, they're not selling any division for now.

[fanboysmackdown]

Sounds like something like that idiot thuway made up.

[Eonjay]

Why would this happen?

[Wingsfan24]

Are you people for real right now?

"Yea ok Greenturd why should we believe a lying sleazeball like you? Btw love the tweet below Greenturds tweet lol"

That's literally the saddest comment I've seen on in here in a while. The amount of agrees he's got astounds me.

[fanboysmackdown]

And this affects your life how? Go wave your Sony flag elsewhere.

[Wingsfan24]

Lol, I'm playing Titanfall right now on my X1, you want a pic?

[fanboysmackdown]

So Pocky, why does any garbage rumor on the internet affect anything about xbox. Who cares what Greenburg says or a clown like thuway or anybody else. Everyone runs to these boards to run their yaps because everyone loves to spew bile because it has become an all negative society. Hope you enjoy Titanfall like I know I will when it comes out and I'll enjoy certain Sony titles too. I choose not to get caught up in conjecture anymore.

[MRMagoo123]

LOL another hilarious moment when an Xbox fanboy in full defense mode attacks another Xbox fanboy without realizing they are both on the same team, it's like when the US blow up their own troops.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

Never gonna happen, I think sony will sell off the playstation brand probably in a few years

[HeWhoWalks]

I'd like to know how you drew that conclusion. With the PlayStation business being a bright spot for the company, why would it cease to exist in a few years? Furthermore, if the PS3 didn't tank it, why would the highly successful follow-up cause it?

[JasonKCK]

Sony may be in trouble financially, but they wont sell the Playstation because that one of the few things they have that is profitable. Sony just dumped Viao, are spinning out of the TV business, laying people off, but Playstation makes them some money.

http://www.shellypalmer.com...

[Max-Zorin]

If it were to happen, just don't sell it to Apple. They would try to make a new console every year. Sell it to Samsung.

[hellzsupernova]

Samsung is no better then Apple! I have a galaxy s4 and an iPad both are great but both companies suck

[mmj]

Of course they are going to deny it because such knowledge in the public space would be very damaging, they will deny it right up until an official announcement announcing the takeover, or if the deal falls through we'll never hear anything about it.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Here's the truth...

Yeah the truth being these rumors were made up by certain members of the press and then pushed and repeated by agenda driven websites and a certain message board. And not because they're true but because the people behind these rumors want them to be true.

It's the same MO they used in the past. "Portable GameCube." "Wii HD." Always trying to scare potential consumers out of a sale.

Interestingly enough these rumors started at the same time Daniel Loeb and Third Point LLC started pushing Sony into break up talks, with the potential of selling their entertainment division. To anyone who doubts me simply do your homework and you'll see I'm right as usual.

Oh and just to add a little more fuel to the fire, Morgan Stanley is mediating the talks between Loeb's investment group and Sony. What better company to buy the entertainment division of Sony than Amazon? They already offer PlayStation games on their storefront. They're also one of the biggest providers of entertainment media in the world.

[MRMagoo123]

Jeez you talk some sh1t huh look at all your comments from the last few days lol it's cute you like to act like you have a clue but alas it's so obvious you don't.

Anyone wishful thinking about a company buying the Xbox devision is probably doing so because MS are so bad at it they want someone else running it that can actually bring passion back to the console rather than chucking money at everything and hoping it works, the Xbox will still be there it just won't be driven into sh1t by MS and their lies, it's a good thing if a company buys it not a bad thing.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Magoo,

Your opinions are motivated by your own personal bias. You are yet another mindless pawn in this game, a puppet of online marketing teams.

You haven't actually countered any of the points I have made, nor do you provide any factual data to back up your own statements. That's because like most of the people who get their information from the agenda press you are uninformed and brainwashed.

If you don't like what I say, too bad, it's all true. I can provide data to back up every statement I make. Deal with it.

[hellzsupernova]

Can fully see where you are coming from.

Just the last part makes sense and I wouldn't mind amazon owning playstation.

[CharlesSwann]

Aaron Greenberg is Microsoft's answer to Brad Pitt.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

Another lie, from Greenberg. (Of course they would never admit it, it would send current sales, into the depths of hell {were micro belongs})

I'm glad of this news.. It will finally purge the industry, from the stench.. that is. MICRO$OFT.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

Amazon's acquisition of DH should be a clue maybe

[XiSasukeUchiha]

I could see this in the future

[OmegaShen]

To Amazon? No, Microsoft wouldn't be that dumb. Most likely Apple.

[diehllane]

How is Apple more likely?
Microsoft competes with Apple on phones and tablets. They compete with Amazon only on tablets.

Amazon is much more likely to me.
Plus, this could allow Amazon to lock up an in-home media box for Prime Instant Video.
Then they can take their service and make it exclusive to their consoles.

[OmegaShen]

Because Microsoft already started supporting Itunes and all. Microsoft isn't the same as they use to, there phones and tablets are junk like Zune was.

[MCTJim]

I love the spin these insiders are doing..this is all an episode to take the light off their Titanfall textures debacle. I said it before and I will say it again. Keep saying it and someone will believe you eventually.

[Kiwi66]

I've read about this elsewhere and the insider has said he was misqouted and even went on websites that twisted his comment to say it's not true, he said that he's annoyed that this happened

[kryteris]

ya, amazon not that dumb.

[GraveLord]

Like he would confirm it lmfao
He's lied many times in the past before.

[heisenberguk]

I wondered why the majority of multiplatform games sold by amazon themselves are cheaper on xbone than ps4, it was the same last gen too! (Fifa 14, £41 on xbox, £47 on ps4. B4 £45 on xbox £48 on ps4. COD £43 on xb £45 on ps4. AC4 £42 on xb £49 on ps4.The tomb raider pre order was £10 cheaper for xb for weeks!!) when I emailed them to ask why I was told the publishers sometimes recommend different retail prices!!

[GetRealOne]

In thousand years this isn't gonna happen. Now Steve Ballmer is gone and Bill Gates is more involved everything will be good.

[Reem]

Anyone that believes this flabby mouth needs his brain checked

[FATHASUN]

This is what is really happening:

https://twitter.com/FATHASU...

[ipach]

amazon did just buy double helix after all, a developer of an xbox exclusive... but these kinds of talks happen all the time without a deal being worked out though. investment bankers spend most of their days pitching these kinds of ideas to management teams; doesn't mean they'll necessarily bite.

[NeoTribe]

I believe amazon could do a much better job than microsoft.

[brianunfried]

Too bad it's not true, it would be good for Xbox . Microsoft seems out of touch right now.

[srd4484]

Idiots believing more crap from Thruway. You guys need to wake up. Isn't he claiming he was only kidding now?? What a fool. The same guy who said Snap and xbox live wont be ready for months after release? And now, 3 Months after releasing xb1 and MS is ready to sell. Really? MS is doing just fine. With the release of Titanfall and Halo coming, it will sure bring in tons of $. Oh, but according to sony fanboys Titanfall sucks. So jel.
Just believing this in anyway really show the stupidity of the sony fanboys.