Since the corporate giants entry into the console market back in 2001 this is the first time the Xbox group can report a profitable 12 months.
They reported $426 million for the 07-08 fiscal year, which it doesn’t take much of a mathematician to work out is better than the previously recorded -$1.9 billion.
For seven long years the Xbox business machine has operated in the red in order to secure the company’s presence in the console market. Now that it has managed to claw its way back into the good graces of profit perhaps Microsoft can start to see an actual return on their investments.
”Recognize that for us, the fact that ‘Grand Theft Auto’ was a positive event for us is an amazing statement. Because if you think back to last generation, anything associated with ‘Grand Theft Auto’ was bad and was PlayStation,” said Entertainment & Devices Division boss Robbie Bach last year. He attributed the platforms success to blockbuster titles Halo 3 from Bungie Studios and Grand Theft Auto IV from Rockstar Games.
”And so the idea that we’ve been able to build an ecosystem and an experience that attracts people who have never thought of being on our platform before is a pretty powerful statement.”
Microsoft has now sold over 20 million Xbox360 consoles. Finally the Xbox accountants can cut down on the Prozac prescriptions.
Virtually simulated crime DOES paySource: CVG
