Xbox Arm of Microsoft Posts Profit

GameDailyBiz is reporting that Microsoft has posted a rare profit for their games business. As you might imagine, the good news is courtesy of high game and console sales thanks to Halo 3. "[Entertainment Division] revenue increased primarily due to increased Xbox 360 console and game sales. Xbox and PC game revenue increased $895 million or 148% as a result of increased Xbox 360 console sales, video game sales led by Halo 3, and Xbox 360 accessory sales. We shipped 1.8 million Xbox 360 consoles in the current quarter as compared to 0.9 million consoles in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. Halo 3 was launched in September 2007 and generated approximately $330 million of revenue during the quarter."

Re:Halo

[Grandiloquence]

Microsoft logic dictates that a new Halo will henceforth be released EVERY quarter! Also, the next Halo will have Master Chief accompanied by his newest companion, Clippy. "It looks like you're trying to kill an Elite! Would you like help using the plasma rifle?"

And that hot seller, the Zune

[ubikkibu]

"For the remainder of fiscal year 2008, we expect [EDD] revenue to increase due to the increased sales of Xbox 360 consoles and related games, accessories, and services, and sales of Zune products,"

Now I don't believe anything said in this story.

Re:Now what?

[provigilman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games/ [wikipedia.org]

You know, actually checking your facts first might help. First off, you can't compare Halo, a 3 game franchise, to the likes of Mario (11 games in the SMB series proper, not counting the innumerable spinoffs and special appearances). Secondly, you're a bit off base in terms of your numbers.

For example, Halo 2 has sold 8 million copies. That is the most of any shooter game, save Goldeney for N64...which also sold 8 million copies. It's also the #22 franchise (inluding PC) of all time, which impressive considering it's up against the likes of Final Fantasy and Street Fighter. It also beat out the likes of Metal Gear, Mortal Combat, Warcraft, Diablo, etc.. In fact, taking out some of the PC games like Lineage, the Sims and Command and Conquer would put it in the top 20 console franchises of all time.

So considering that it's technically in the top 20 console franchises of all time, and Halo 2 is tied with N64's Goldeneye as the most popular shooter ever, is it really so crazy to look for a Halo killer? Not if you're planning on making an FPS it's not...

Re:XBox Live is the killer app

[revengebomber]

Human players are *so much more interesting* than AI. Halo just offers a taste of that.

So they just invent an AI that insults your sexuality and whines constantly. Problem solved.