As every year at this time, it’s time for the tech giants to reveal the results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. Today, Microsoft is lifting the veil on its
figures months, with interesting information for Xbox.
Sales of games and consoles down
Overall, the company reports revenue of $52.7 billion and net income of $16.4 billion in the second quarter of its fiscal year. In comparison, this represents a 2% increase in its turnover, while net profit fell by 12%.
Regarding Xbox, the giant recorded an overall drop of 13% in revenue from the gaming sector. The sale of consoles is particularly affected with a drop of 13%. It’s quite surprising to see hardware sales declining so early in the generation, but ultimately quite logical due to the rare Xbox releases last year.
We also note a 12% drop in income from games and services. This drop is the consequence of the company’s lack of big end-of-year games, including the postponement of Starfield, and lower monetization of third-party content.
Xbox content and services revenue was down 12% (down 8% in CC) from the prior year, with lower 1st party content and lower monetization of 3rd party content, partially offset by growth in Xbox Game Pass subscriptions.
For comparison, players could count on the launch of Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 in 2021.
Xbox Game Pass on the rise
If the big first party games were absent from the last quarter of 2022, the Xbox Game Pass continues to perform. According to
Frank X. ShawLead Communications at Microsoft, the service hit new heights late last year, while the Xbox ecosystem surpassed 120 million active users in that time.
We hit new highs in Game Pass subscriptions, game streaming hours, and monthly active devices. And monthly active users surpassed an all-time high of 120 million during the quarter.
Regarding the giant’s forecasts for the 3rd quarter of its 2023 financial year, Microsoft forecasts a further drop in revenue from games and services, but an Xbox Game Pass which is maintained thanks in particular to the launch of several titles planned at the start. of year like Redfall or Forza Motorsport.
Even though the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers continues to grow, the fact that console sales are down shows that the service is not enough to convince potential new buyers of an Xbox Series X|S to cross the threshold. not, and that it is more than ever time for Microsoft to release the many games in development at Xbox Game Studios.
Remember that this evening, Xbox will offer its first Developer_Direct, an event to present its games planned for the spring. It will be live from 9:00 p.m. on Xboxygen.
