Microsoft Explains Why it Isn’t Releasing Xbox One Sales Numbers Anymore

The issue of pure hardware sales and Microsoft’s likely dismal showing this generation, does draw into question what the company might have planned for the quickly approaching shift to the next generation of consoles.

[UCForce]

I already knew this from beginning. They use the software numbers to make sure that they don’t feel embarrassed by their hardware numbers. Even The Wii U have a low hardware sales numbers, but Nintendo have their gut to show it. The reason I want companies to show their production software and hardware ? Because I want them to be better competitors. The Switch was a big improvements from Wii U, because Nintendo learn the mistakes, not hiding it.

[81BX]

Showing the numbers doesn't make them better competitors

[Psychosious]

Must still be in little league, no scores taken... we’re all winners here... pffft

[InKnight7s]

First thing I learnt in bussiness uni, that being clear is the best way to gain trust and to show integrity for both cunsumers and market. Number always matter because its bussiness.

[UCForce]

It does actually.

[zeuanimals]

It makes it known that it was a meh selling system and it makes it a cautionary tale of what happens when you mess up an entire generation. Phil might not be able to do much if Nadella's not giving him the OK, but I'm sure he still wants Xbox to succeed and to maybe even, one day, beat Sony and Nintendo.

It's that drive that got Ford to create a racecar that was better than Ferrari's back in Ferrari's golden era. They were embarrassed by their losses and they weren't gonna have it anymore. MS needs that moment and that moment won't happen unless they first hit a low point that makes them reflect on their mishaps. Letting the whole world know how his product is doing and taking it personally because he's the head of Xbox should spark something in Phil Spencer if he is who he tried to present himself as. If it doesn't, then either he's okay with mediocrity or he just doesn't care as much about Xbox as he should. It doesn't give me much faith in Xbox if the guy running it doesn't have faith in Xbox.

It sure lit a fire under the asses of the guys and gals at Sony and Nintendo, now look at them. They both flaunt it proudly but they don't brag too much. They obviously take pride in their successes and they don't plan on slowing down. That gives me faith in their brands, that they're not just gonna give up and let my investment in their consoles go to waste.

[Muzikguy]

Initially it doesn’t, but you have to stop and think about it. Showing numbers puts the truth out there. If you don’t like it then you’ll work to change it making you a better competitor.

Hiding the truth does more harm than good. You’ll never gain the trust of consumers this way

[trooper_]

Why not?

They were so adamant about parading around before.

[bluefox755]

Let's be honest here, if they were good enough to brag about, MS would absolutely be flaunting them.

[RauLeCreuset]

@Trooper

Truth. And they still do brag about sales or numbers when they're able to deliver it in a context where they're winning, like when they bragged about having their best sales Dec. 2016 and being the only current gen console to see year over year growth. A petty nonsense statement that put Sony's business out there. It also showed their love for numbers that mean nothing without context. Who cares about what percentage growth there was without knowing the numbers those percentages are based on?

[leoms]

but last generation it did though

[KwietStorm_BLM]

If Sprint has the balls to report their failings for years, Microsoft can show how many units they're behind. Transparency.

[Realms]

No but it shows integrity MS f up royally this gen and have done a lot to save a sinking ship but like others have said even Nintendo released it's numbers with the WiiU.

[himdeel]

Microsoft have themselves to blame. They started this NPD sales importance non-sense when it benefited them. Now that it doesn't they're ready to move on.

I guarantee you if they release a game and them numbers go up they'll walk this shit back like a moonwalk.

[gaffyh]

Simple reason is that it looks bad when their competitors are doing better, and they don't want it to affect their share price. So as long as they are making a profit from the business, that's what they want to try and focus on, because the sales numbers are atrocious compared to last gen.

[Kryptix]

"We are continuing to look at engagement as our key metric for success and are no longer reporting on total console sales,"

Gotta keep the illusion up, but trust that if Xbox One sold well, even for one month of the 12, they'll share that they're the "best selling console of the summer" or whatever bull that the Xbox die hards keep falling for.

Remember, if you do not learn history, you are doomed to repeat it. So I expect no real positive change for the Xbox anytime soon to be anything dedicated to a gaming flourish like old times and you die hards shouldn't either.

Going to be another E3 with a majority being 3rd party deals and some service enhancements. Phil's honey coated words won't be as effective this time around, especially with what Sony and Nintendo has to show. They only need to show Last of Us 2 gameplay & some Metroid 4 to put in some nails.

It really looks like Xbox's movement is a scattered clusterbomb mess the amount of times one employee contradicts the other.

I'll show the truth since they're too scared to.

PS4 - 78.2M
Xbox One - 37.2M
Switch - 16.7M, came out in 2017 and soon to overtake Xbox One

[81BX]

@MakoD
Showing the numbers didnt make Sony a better competitor this gen. Showing numbers doesn't matter at all. It's the people invested in the company who want more of the market share. How do you do that? By providing a sought after product.

[UCForce]

Really ? PS4 is big improvement over PS3. That’s because Sony learn their mistakes, not hiding it. If you keep defending this, MS isn’t going to be better. I’m sorry, but you really need to understand more how business works. Show your production to the investor and consumer if it’s flawed. The company can improve themselves by listening the feedback. MS biggest problem right now is their lack of exclusive. Exclusive give console identity. Xbox One is Gaas machine, no longer a gaming console.

[notachance]

lol, "using different key metric for success" my ass...
1000% sure if they ever win that reason will go straight out of the window and treated like it never existed.

[Nitrowolf2]

Sort of does already, whenever xbox wins ndp the few times it has, Aaorn greenburge uglyness is just around the corner to gloat

[paintedgamer1984]

So true lol. You know damn well if it was 80 mil xb1 vs 40 mil xb1 ms would be shouting it from the rooftops and running commercials around the clock saying... "The most powerful and #1 selling console in the WORLD

All the suit and tie xbox ppl would also be constantly tweeting and bashing than they already are.

[trooper_]

They should have just said 'we're getting our butts kicked by both Sony and Nintendo .'

[SickWolf]

Maybe you're right

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

The only reason they won't release sales figures is because they won't be able spin the disappointing numbers in a positive light.

[chris235]

nintendo is incapable of learning. the past decades have made this very clear.

[SquareBurgers]

Microsoft has a platform not a system. Their platform destroys Sony's, and if you really wanted to count games being played on their platform, which you should because in the end it all about income, then you don't want to compare Sony to Microsoft. Consider yourself lucky they are quiet.

[letsa_go]

Nice spin! Keep spouting that corporate drivel and suckling on micro$oft's teet.

[Teflon02]

If you take away everyone playing games that aren't sold through MS store on pc. As in played on valves steam, battle.net, epic etc. Then ps probably would still beat em out. Cup head was a fine example of proof pc players barely touch the MS game store lol. I have pc and I was going to buy cup head on MS store because I thought it wouldn't be on steam but it was. MS is losing in any competition with Sony and Nintendo. Period, it's not opinion or debate.

[zerocarnage]

If im not mistaken you are correct.

I mean why to this day despite Sony selling so many consoles over microsoft, do microsoft still have alot more subscription users/payers than what sony do.

The Sony fanboys can preach console sales but the Microsoft fanboys can preach subscription sales and there platform does destroy Sony's. While Sony were still doing free gaming on ps2 and 3 Microsoft were busy building there service which has always been more stable and of a better quality. Microsoft can bring updates like the plague compared to what sony can also.

Sure Sony has exclusives and that is great but because exclusives are risky business at any point those exclusives could spell trouble for a consoles and it has happened before. If it happened to Sony I must admit with the sheer amount of risk they do take that it could at some point impact heavily on Sony if it goes wrong, especially if fans do not support the majority of exclusives being made. Microsoft actually despite half the number of exclusives that what sony has on there console have done very well and it goes to show consoles can make it and survive without exclusives and they are not as gospel as what some on here say they are..

The way some on here go off about Microsoft and Xbox is crazy but believe it or not most people who are against them who have opinions always seem to base it all off exclusives, when really all it sounds is like a book being judged by it's cover and you didn't even a little bit think towards how much the millions who play xbox live and Xbox can see what you can not..

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I actually Won't buy anything off the Microsoft store, I always wait for Steam or GOG to get it first, otherwise I just don't buy the game.

[slasaru01]

It's not even software sale numbers actually. it's "engagement" whatever this means ))

[PhoenixUp]

Since when was approaching 40 million units dismal?

[UCForce]

From what I can see, Xbox One have 37 millions units. I think Xbox One won’t reach Xbox 360 hardware numbers. And I don’t think Xbox One will make a comeback like PS3 did.

[nowitzki2004]

By 5 years in PS3 was already well overtaking 360 with exclusives lol.. Took about 2-3 years for PS3 to start dropping bombs.

[InMyFamilyhouse]

I don't even think the Xbox one approached 35 millions!

[darthv72]

Oh I can say for 100% certainty the XBO wont reach the 360 numbers. It hasn't suffered from RRoD to cause consumers to have to buy multiple replacements. Some would say PS1 and PS2 also had padded numbers, but their issues weren't as prevalent as those of the 360.

Both companies have had their bumps in the road and recovered. Some pot holes are there forever (like RRoD) and can not be avoided no matter how many times they try to pave the road.

[DarkVoyager]

“Since when was approaching 40 million units dismal?“

It’s dismal compared to the competition. Xbox 360 is outselling Xbox One at the same time frame.

[Prince_TFK]

Isn’t that because of the RROD? I see you guys conveniently throw that arguement around when it fits your agenda.

[RauLeCreuset]

@Kun_ADR

MS are the ones throwing that around when convenient. They justified Xbox sales early by saying it was outselling 360, then let it hang out there for the gullible to repeat years after it ceased being true.

[PhoenixUp]

@ Dark

Yet that still doesn’t make XO’s 37 million an underwhelming number. It’s still sold more than many other platforms and is still heavily supported by various developers.

If you want an actual example of a dismal performance this gen look no further than the failed Wii U & Vita. I’m not saying XO is a huge success, but to say it has a lackluster performance is pretty ridiculous considering we’ve seen various platforms, including two platforms within its generation, produce far less savory results in hardware sales and major developer support.

A product selling slower than its predecessor doesn’t mean it’s automatically a failure. If that were the case then SNES, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 3 & Nintendo 3DS should also be considered failures. You don’t have to continually break records to not be considered a failure.

[Mr_Writer85]

The money spent on developing the Xbox hardware, and the amount of U turns does make the sales lackluster.

More so when the Switch is on course to surpass it, despite the X1 having a 3/4 year head start.

Once Pokemon releases on the Switch that will see it close the gap even quicker.

For those reasons, make the numbers lackluster.

[The Wood]

Doesn't matter how good or bad people label their standings. They aren't where they would like to be. Remember all that 1st to 10 million wins talk. . . ..operative word being 'wins '

[rainslacker]

The difference is, is that neither Sony or Nintendo are acting like those two platforms were exceptional. Nor are the fans. They both readily admit, or at least released numbers, that both those systems were lackluster.

MS sales aren't really terrible though, but they seem to really be adamant about not mentioning them....except in those instances where they can make them look good....but even then, its only vague metrics which are the metrics people use, without any contextual numbers to make them relevant. They don't even report the numbers to investors....which is sad, as they focus on revenue, while hiding the profits in the process.

[PhoenixUp]

@ Mr_W

That’s kind of black and white mentality. There’s never been a platform that’s sold more than 35 million that could be considered an all around failure.

@ Wood

And neither were those other systems I listed. You gonna call them failures too?

@ rain

SNES, GBA, PS3 & 3DS did have exceptional sales. They have nowhere near lackluster sales.

You really do have revisionist history just to make XO sales look more terrible in comparison.

[Mr_Writer85]

@phonixup

But gaming isn't a none moving thing, it's getting bigger and bigger.

Also when 30 odd million consoles equels less market share then again it is lackluster.

When sales are slowing down, and your rivals sales are either going up rapidly (Switch) or consistently higher than yours (PS4) your market share will decrease.

Not many business would be happy with 30m units sold in nearly 5 years, and after millions invested in "the most powerful console ever", you're not only falling being a rivial, you're also losing market share to another..

If Xbox had sold 60-65m, yes that would be less than PS4, but still very respectable.

And yet, despite the release of X1X, MS won't talk numbers, because they know its not good, and I'm willing to bet that sales are slowing down. And have been for a long time.

[PhoenixUp]

It’s not so lackluster that major developers would just abandon it like they did with the Vita & Wii U. It’s still a major platform in the eyes of the industry.

PSP is also an example of another platform that lost market share to its competition yet still sold a considerable amount.

X1X wouldn’t dramatically increase hardware sales regardless. Iterative platforms don’t do that, cheaper slimline models do.

Also in 5 years XO would’ve passed the 40 million mark, it wouldn’t be at 30 million.

[Mr_Writer85]

Nice strawman.

But you do know that developers and publishers don't run MS?

Regardless of what they think, it's the money men at MS, who's opinion on sales matter, and if you think they will be happy with the sales, then why not share that?

They won't because they're not.

[Felix313]

Probably because the other console that launched within the same time frame as the x1 has managed to double the number of units sold in the same amount of time it took the x1 to reach almost 40ml (best guess as MS don't want to admit their numbers are so low)

[asmith2306]

It's not, but relative to your main competitors numbers it is.

[Inzo]

There are a few reasons like its dismal compared to the PS4 and Swtch, its dismal because the Xbox 1x is out for almost 6 months now and its showing no signs of gaining momentum, its dismal because the Xbox 1 has fallen behind the PS3 and 360 in sales comparison by some margin.

[Razzer]

Not dismal. Not great either. Obviously, Microsoft isn't very proud of the number sold. If they were then they would be telling us what that number was.

[OffRoadKing]

Since one of their competitors is more then double their console sales and the other is at half and gaining quickly with a much less powerful system and cardboard peripherals, pretty much since then.

[sprinterboy]

Agreed, tbh ms have always been in 3rd place when sales numbers of previous generations come to a halt.

[Kribwalker]

@sprinterboy
uh
the OG xbox was 2nd place behind the PS2

The last given number by either company had the 360 at 84 million and a month later the PS3/PS4/Vita at a combined 100 million (why wasn’t sony releasing the numbers for the PS3 or Vita alone?) when the ps4 was announced at 10 million 2 weeks later (and the vita was over 7 million at that point) . So off of official numbers that pegs the 360 ahead of the ps3 😉

[Goldby]

@Krib

Except ps3 sold almost 87 million units in less time than 360 sold 84..

[Kribwalker]

@goldby

and where did you get that info? Because the last released numbers for both systems was

80 million xbox 360 Oct 2013
https://www.gamesindustry.b...

80 Million PS3 Nov 2013
https://www.gamespot.com/ar...

84 Million Xbox 360 June 2014
https://m.afterdawn.com/art...

100 million PS3/PS4/Vita July 2014.
https://www.gamespot.com/ar...

That’s it. Without more official numbers from either side, the 360 ended the gen ahead. You can speculate, but you can present anything different as facts

[UCForce]

@Kribwalker But let me tell you this, Xbox 360 didn’t end the generation with a bang. PS3 did ended the generation with a bang by The Last of Us.

[Kribwalker]

@UCforce
the xbox 360 got titanfall and Rise of the Tomb Raider to close it out. That’s a pretty good bang

[Goldby]

@krib
Article from Gamestop in July is quoting numbers from november.

And. How is one exclusive a pretty good bang?

And I got my numbers from VGChartz
The only place where all the numbers are compiled. While not 100% correct it is the closest we have

[ArchangelMike]

It's a great tactic, simple shift the goal post so people think you're doing better than you actually are. Lest all be honest about it, they were getting destroyed, and their sales numbers made then look bad in comparison with the meteoric record breaking sales figures of the PS4 (and later on the Nintendo Switch).

What happens when Nintendo start posting high growth attachment rates, or Sony start posting high revenue growth figures, will Microsoft change the goal post again to something silly like hours played online, or whatever the PR reps come up with to keep their jobs.

It was Microsoft that created this problem in the first place with their braggadocious attitude during the 360 era, they would constantly parade numbers sold, I remember when Halo 3 launched, and it like broke sales records everywhere. Microsoft where only too happy to shove it down everyone throats. "But oh how the mighty have fallen."

[Derceto]

"It's a great tactic..."

In all fairness, if it were a great tactic, people wouldn't see right through it. It's more like.... a desperate tactic.

[AspiringProGenji]

Wonder if they are counting all the times I turn my xbox off too and the time i am not using it🤔

[nitus10]

If you have either a PS4 and/or XB1 and have an internet connection to either console then Microsoft and Sony will be capture statistical data. Of course, it is possible to limit data collection but not all.

Basically, the XB1 runs the Windows 10 operating system which has been designed to collect data although it is possible to opt out to a limited extent. Yes, I am well aware Microsoft apologists will point to Google Chrome and how it can collect data, however, it is fairly easy to tell Chrome not to collect data or just use a different browser. The same cannot be said when the operating system (ie. Win 10) is designed to collect data and send it to Microsoft owned servers assuming your PC (with Win 10) or XB1 is connected to the internet.

As I have already said before it is possible to limit the amount of data collection by Windows 10 although a normal user (this includes PC's) has very limited knowledge on how to do that.

[trooper_]

Pretty much.

[darthv72]

It's not a great tactic at all, it's just business. What you are saying is nothing new. Pretty much all companies will, at some point or another, change the narrative to paint their situation in a more appealing light to their investors. Sony's done it, Nintendo's done it, Sega's done it. Hell... even Atari has done it (a few times) so Ms doing it this gen really is no surprise. And those are just the ones i can think of in the gaming industry.

Just imagine how many other consumer driven companies outside of gaming have done this.

[MorpheusX]

@darthv72

I agree.

It's seems to be business 101 in Capitalism.

[Markusb33]

Exactly just change the narrative to suit. If sony were being outsold by Ms and Sony starred quoting hours of online play or laps in gt sport sweaty greenberg would be all over twitter since he is just like the fans boys. Over on twitter they are claiming a victory as black pather ultra blu ray is xb is exclusive. Truly sad adults

[MetroidFREAK21]

I thought this was already established? The Xbox One (as much as I love mine) got it's ass handed to it by Sony and soon possibly to be passed by the Switch (which already has sold nearly 20 million units) Microsoft hurt the Xbox at the reveal and it never fully recovered.

[Derceto]

Um... because the numbers are embarrassing?

[NickAwesome]

Because they are losing, that's why

[cellfluid]

Because they gettin stomp by playstation that's why and it's an embarrassment to show miniscule numbers against playstation!!!

[corroios]

«We are continuing to look at engagement as our key metric for success and are no longer reporting on total console sales» in other words. Press the smoke screen button, maybe they believe this.

[LgbtWarrior]

If they release the true numbers it would just hurt them they already have a negative image from gamers

[asmith2306]

Because they'd be embarrassed.

[SethBrundlefly]

Changing metric focus/priority is totally fine, but that's not the point. The question is WHY the necessity to keep the hardware numbers a secret for those who are interested.

[Atanasrikard]

Because the only people interested are keyboard warriors.

Do you think the shareholders give two shits about how many pieces of hardware have sold? Of course not, all they care about is how much money they are making.

[StormSnooper]

I assure you the shareholders care very much.

[Rude-ro]

Ummmm... yes. They do care.
“Shareholders” are investors... if there is no demand for a limited product such as a gaming console, they pull their shares.
This topic is about marketing and perception... Microsoft is trying to spin the perception that there is a commercial demand. This spin is to sell confidence to those shareholders and the market that Microsoft is trying to do what they can and that the current status is viable.
When a product sells less than the previous product, they will then ask why and what it would take to reverse the trend. This all takes money to assess and to correct. Those shareholders will then weigh the options and the value to invest to keep it going.
From the 360 to now, Microsoft depended on third party deals and a strong market place to control an atmosphere... Ie the US.
The number of hardware units sold shows interest.
Example, Blu-ray took over dvd... but both declined in sales. Blu-ray overtook a declining dvd and blu-Ray sales are still declining faster than dvd did...
the confidence to invest or to become a shareholder has declined in said area because there is no foreseeable fix with said electronics.
So, what is the answer for Microsoft and how much will it cost to become a strong market leader and will shareholders see the value in what it takes?
Shareholder do not want to invest in something stagnant or in decline... no matter the income. That is called a risk for long term investment.

[rainslacker]

Trust me, if Xbox was a money sink, then the share holders will care. There was a reason that a group of shareholders was seeking to spin off the Xbox brand last gen. Sataya stopped that cold, but to do so, he had to hide the Xbox numbers further.

MS isn't hiding the Xbox numbers because of some new metric, they're hiding them because the Xbox brand pales in comparison to their other products. It may not drag them down, but they have other areas where much less investment is needed to have a much larger return. Kind of like how GaaS requires less investment, but can have a higher return. See the pattern? MS needs Xbox to be successful with less investment, so the shareholders won't put pressure on them to spin it off, or get rid of it completely.

[ArchangelMike]

Don't be so ignorant to overlook the fact that the sharholders will be provided with the console sales numbers. It just is no longer made public. In the same way that what is discussed in shareholder meetings is private. They have the full right to know if the product they are investing in is selling, and by how many units per day. This is directly tied into their profit margins.

[rainslacker]

Honestly, there is no reason why they couldn't release both numbers. They just don't care to have the negativity surrounding them that they will end up in last place, because it doesn't paint them in a position of dominance. MS has a real problem showing weakness in terms of market share.

Sadly, in other areas like commercial or industrial application, they actually strived to be better with their products to gain market share, because those areas weren't impressed with sales numbers, they were impressed with support and actual ability to use the products for what was needed.

[Inzo]

MS is using almost the exact same tactic they did when the PS3 started to dominate sales. This is nothing new for them.

[morganfell]

What? Sony announced numbers because from the day it launched the PS3 was outselling the 360 worldwide on a monthly basis. This is why MS only talked about US figures for the 360 and NPD was so important to them. Sony owned everything else with PS3 sales.

[Minute Man 721]

Both systems sold about the same last gen but the software was leaning heavily in Xbox's favor. That's because some people bought the 3 as a Blu Ray player. This gen M$ getting stomped in both hardware n software. The 3rd console curse, happened to Nintendo, Sony and now M$

[morganfell]

I agree but I was only referring to the fact that "when the PS3 started to dominate" = day it launched.

[Minute Man 721]

When the price dropped it started to dominate, not @ $500 n $600. I forgot it was that expensive when it launched

[morganfell]

But it did dominate. Go back and look at the sales figures. And remember there were two models of the PS3 out.

PS3 fiscal 2007 = 3.61 million
Xbox 360 fiscal 2007 = 3.3 million

[Minute Man 721]

Don't remember the #s if 300k is domination to you then what was PS2 era #s to you? How much of those numbers were dedicated Blu Ray players/gaming device?

[morganfell]

Whether someone purchased a PS3 for a Bluray player (and it was a good one and remained the reference player for Bluray for several years) is impossible to note. My discussion was concerning sales period rather than the divination of individual buying purchase. And as such the domination of which I spoke stands. You also should be aware that as of 2007 the PS3 had not been fully available in all territories for a full year as it had a staggered launch. So with the 360 having a longer lead time, more support, and more territories the PS3 came in, at a higher base price and took the numbers. Domination. I owned both a 360 and a PS3 and one of the issues of which I was fully aware was that in order to achieve the PS3's additional abilities one had to spend almost a hundreds of dollars in extras (such as wifi module, play and charge kit, expanded HDD, etc) and still you didn't have HDMI out on launch 360s.

Basically a head start, easier development, more money thrown at their division and the Xbox couldn't stop Sony. This is also done with Sony stumbling out of the gate making serious PR and customer relations errors. Next generation will be worse for MS than this one because they are showing no signs of learning the main lessons history has tried to teach them.

[morganfell]

When I stated this:

"....one of the issues of which I was fully aware was that in order to achieve the PS3's additional abilities one had to spend almost a hundreds of dollars in extras (such as wifi module, play and charge kit, expanded HDD, etc) and still you didn't have HDMI out on launch 360s. "

What I meant was for the 360 to achieve those most of the abilities the PS3 had out of the box. In reality if you wanted all those features you spent far more than the price of a base PS3 to purchase an equivalent in abilities 360.

[Iphoneipodsite]

Now a days microsoft are not at top in software industries after google android release.

[nitus10]

If you look at the Desktop/Laptop market Microsoft dominates with about 88% followed by MacOS (8.7%) then Linux (2.2%). https://www.netmarketshare....

Comparing the version of operating systems Windows 10 is 30.62%, Win 8.1 (5.94%), Win 7 (44.17%) and even Win XP (6.13%).

In the tablet market iOS is about 54.7% compared to Android 45.3% while in the smartphone market Android is 69.75% to iOS (29.86%). In the set top box market Android dominates with about 99.97%. See the above URL.

It is no wonder Microsoft dominates in the Desktop/Laptop market since most new PC's come with a Microsoft operating system (disparingly called "The Microsoft Tax"). Basically if you are a PC gamer you would want to run a Microsoft OS and while it is possible to game on a Linux based PC the best experience is still on a PC running a Microsoft OS.

BTW. The XB1 runs Windows 10.

[StormSnooper]

Are you sure Apple doesn’t dominate the laptop market?

[rainslacker]

MS only dominates because the support for other systems is pretty minimal. Even if Linux and Apple got more support, as in everything was available, I think MS would still dominate, because Windows is just so ingrained in people's minds. Despite my lack of love of Windows in general, I can't say that it isn't a pretty user friendly system nowadays. Apple is decent enough, but offers nowhere near the ease of use if you need to do anything more than open a program and use it. Linux just won't be mainstream anytime soon, as it's too open and no real quality control, and of course, isn't good for people who just want to open a program and use it.

The problem for MS though is that fewer people are using PC's than they did ten years ago. Most people are using other devices, which is a problem for MS, because they decided to not pursue such things when they were becoming popular, or dropped out before they seemed like they'd be popular.

[OffRoadKing]

Yes this is absolutely true they are using a different “key metric for success”, unless of course they outsell Sony, in one region, for one month, during the holiday period and then Arron Greenberg is all over social media posting sales figures, the key metric must be selective. Maybe Microsoft should "engage" in making some worthwhile exclusives for their game console they convinced people to buy.

[Minute Man 721]

I can't figure out why Xbox gamers don't buy the exclusives. From a sales standpoint Sunset OD, Ori, QB, Recore etc etc flopped. I have all the exclusives for PS4 except Knack series and R&C, all exclusives on X1 except Recore, PUBG, SoT n SoD. I'm doing my part but the rest of gamers isn't.

[ILostMyMind]

We all know, MS. 😉

[lindquist]

Embarassed...? Would Honda be embarassed because Toyota sell more cars than them? As long as they all make money to keep us gamers satisfied with games, we're all good :)

[Prince_TFK]

The mindset of N4G: if it is not number 1, then it is a huge colossal giant failure.

[trooper_]

That's not even remotely the point.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Not even close fella

[-Foxtrot]

I like how crap like this is always an "N4G" thing...go out there into the big bad web, look at Reddit, comments on sites such as IGN or even all the comments on the links game websites post on Facebook or Twitter. You know what most of them say? The same stuff you see on here because it's not an isolated thing.

[StormSnooper]

But Honda releases numbers.

[ShadowWolf712]

OK, now suppose Toyota and Honda put out a directly competing line of compacts at the same time.

Suppose Honda had sold more than Toyota with their last iteration, and had been blaring this news constantly in the press. Even went so far as to troll their competition throughout that last line's lifespan and even dropping insults leading into this line's launch.

Now suppose Toyota then outsold Honda by leaps and bounds, by more than 2:1, and after that long history of smack talk and insistence these numbers mattered, Honda stopped releasing these numbers and decided that they weren't their metric for success anymore.

Not a good look. And that's where MS is with their Xbox Division.

[Legatus]

Don't need to explain it MS, we all know why you don't release xbox one sales numbers.

[Jls1]

why would you want to post numbers when your losing.

[cfc83]

It's no big deal. The most important thing for a companies results is profit. They have sub sevices and things like minecraft. Great console.

[trooper_]

Profit means crap if they're not doing anything with it.

[rainslacker]

Too bad we don't know what they profit off the system either then isn't it? A measurement of engagement doesn't actually tell us those numbers. Their quarterly and annual reports don't list Xbox profits, only revenue, and it's wrapped up in the Windows division which has always been profitable.

If profit is what's important, why isn't MS releasing those numbers?

Also, how is the profit from Minecraft somehow relevant to the profit of the Xbox division as a whole? We're talking about console sales here, not a singular game available across numerous platforms, which has always been successful.

[woozy]

so how many engagements have you sold microsoft?

[8bitswarrior]

I remember a guy that posted a comment somewhere at N4g, sort of "when the Xbox one X is out sony is doooooomed, dooooooooooomed", well...

[trooper_]

@Krib: On what planet did this occur?

[PS3_Noob]

Because they are in last place. Since switch has been a huge success for Nintendo and obviously PS4 is kicking ass since launch.

[OnDec76]

Punk @** Microsuck doesn't show their hardware sales numbers because Phil Spencer and Co. are a bunch of lying chumps

[mechlord]

why do they even bother explaining...we do know the real reason. theyre getting royally beaten by PS4 and the switch is going to outsell it anytime soon.

[sprinterboy]

MS atm sounds like all politicians. Gamers are not stupid and it's gonna be a long way bk for MS to gain bk trust from the consumer. They need to be more upfront and when they say things like xbox exclusive @ E3 that's hurts them more, it's like there call us stupid.

[DJStotty]

Whats more strange is how PSPlus subscribers only stands at 32.4 million.

So an install base of 47.6 million PS4 owners have no online and play no multiplayer?

[FallenAngel1984]

You should also take into account that

1.) Not all PS+ subscribers have a PS4
2.) Only one PS+ account is needed on one PS4 to access online multiplayer.

[DJStotty]

I dont get number 1?

Why would you have a subscription but no PS4?

It's like me having xbox live with no xbox

[trooper_]

You know what's truly baffling?

The fact that Microsoft doesn't have balls to take a risk with new IPs.

By the way, stop deflecting.

[jokerisalive]

no balls for new IPs and no balls to be upfront and honest about the hardware numbers.....pitiful and weak.

[ILostMyMind]

Actually, you can log in to your PS+ account on two PS4's and all other accounts on these consoles will receive benefits online. So an unknown part of these consoles can be online that way.

But this is not strange at all. Some PS4 users play online games only.

[DJStotty]

Dont you need PS+ to play online games?

[Felix313]

I and my 2 sisters all have PS4's but only I need to have a PS+ sub as I set their accounts up as sub accounts to mine so they can use online multiplayer without having to pay for it,so that's 3 consoles but only 1 PS+ account so the numbers seem believable to me.

[OpenGL]

The PS4's best games are mostly single player anyway, it's understandable why many wouldn't feel the need to pay for online.

[Elda]

Still need online for updates.

[OpenGL]

You don't need PS+ to get game updates, system updates, to download things from the Playstation Store or to message and voice chat with people.

[UCForce]

Well, at least Sony have a gut to show it. Even so, Sony show both hardware and software numbers. MS just show software numbers, but not hardware. Isn’t that weird ?

[DJStotty]

Microsoft wont show hardware numbers due to how far they are behind the competition.

This is common knowledge

[raWfodog]

In my case, as I'm sure it is with other people, I have two PS4's (base and pro). My single PS+ sub is used on both so that adds to that scenario.

[rainslacker]

Maybe only 32.4 million PS gamers care about online play? It's not like everyone caress about online games you know. I'd even wager that many within that 32.4 million still don't play online, but have the service because of PS+ free games, or just because it's a service available they feel compelled to pay for for some reason.

[Liqu1d]

Well unlike Xbox F2P games like Fortnite and subscription games aren't locked behind PS+ so you can still game online in some games without PS+. Strange that the supposedly consumer friendly MS locks free games behind a paywall.

[PizzaSteve]

When they had a good lead last gen, they were happy to boast about 360 sales. Now they not leading they quiet.

[bumbleforce]

The Wii had good numbers but it had a handful of good games. It was a scrappy system

[bumbleforce]

The lack of exclusives really hurt it. I'm positive they are going to win mext gen. Whatever Sony comes out with microsoft will come out with something with more power . it will buy some developers. I'm positive work is already happening on next gen titles

[FallenAngel1984]

Not revealing hardware numbers is one thing, but it’s a pity that Microsoft doesn’t even reveal how many Xbox Live Gold subscribers there are anymore.

At least Sony has the decency to reveal how many PlayStation Plus subscribers they had in their last financial reports.

[Nodoze]

We ALL know the answer to this question. Aaron Greenberg would be the first to yell these numbers from the mountain top last generation....in the most douchebag way possible.

[Hakoom]

because its a dead console
i dont even know why they released a new one...
and they wana release a new 1 when ps5 is out too !!!!
the only problem with microsoft is that they have infinite money
thats why they dont care... or else they would of been long gone and scrapped

[TheTony316]

Because they get their teeth kicked in by the competition.

[Silkside]

Microsoft: were setting records! We've engaged 80 million*

*chickens collected in Sea of thieves

[2pacalypsenow]

This is old news, they are getting outsold by Sony, so they don't show sales numbers.

[Destiny1080]

there's a reason why Xbox live is a ghost town

8 million gold members vs 34 million on PlayStation

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Microsoft are chickens right?

[Minute Man 721]

M$ did this to themselves. Kinect has to be plugged in, DRM, always online and if you don't like it you can always buy a 360.

[manabyte77]

It’s been over four years dude. The whole ‘“shoddy reveal” excuse has long ceased to hold any water.

[rainslacker]

The lingering effects remain though. While many may not judge them by that anymore, the initial dominance Sony gained because of MS missteps at the start of the generation put them well ahead of the competition, and that just had a steamroller effect to keep up their momentum. Sony didn't squander it either, and in the process of making some really high profile games, and doubling down on what they've always done best, they've cemented this perception that they are a company that cares about games first and foremost. While there are things which can be debated to try and show they aren't entirely altruistic, to the end consumer, they have faith that Sony will deliver on great hardware, and great games, which is about all you really need to sell a console.

[Minute Man 721]

Nah bro just hear me out. Plenty gamers were turned off by Micro and picked up a PS4 instead and Mirco is still feeling it today

[DivineAssault]

MS has a strange way of doing things.. They hide these numbers and straight up lie sayng the best year ever for this and that.. Eventually customers are going to catch on to this stuff and not trust them.. I know i dont but it had to do with their practices since mid last gen

[FernDiggidy]

Because they're ashamed.

[Skankinruby]

Lol everyone already knew why, they're humiliated with the downward spiral their xbox division is in.

[YEP414]

Pepsi number 1 coke 2! Does that mean coke loosing money 💰?? Stop they both winning and profiting

[xRacer74x]

As a gamer I own all 3 current get consoles sure I have favorites but I dont wish ill will towards one company. I love Sports to and I despise Teams like Pistons and Stoolers and Yankees. You will not catch any of those teams merchandise in my house. The reason for this is I am another teams die hard fan but as a gamer I enjoy all games no matter what console it is on. Maybe some of these haters and we all know who you are by your comments should jsut be honest they are not gamers they are certain console fans.

[Dragonscale]

'Engagement' lol. Poor ms too embarrassed tbh.

[TheColbertinator]

Because they are losing. Even the Switch is killing it

[AmUnRa]

O God, this is another PR B*S steament from Microsoft.

" Whe are continuing to look at ENGAGEMENT as a key matric for succes"

The PR team of Microsoft is spinning and spining to make pointless steatments to cover up that they lost and keep losing this generation.
But that is Microsoft, moving the goalpost when they are loosing, just like the diehard xboxfanboys on this site...but but engagement🙄

[Obscure_Observer]

This title is misleading. There´s no new information on the why Microsoft don´t reveal number for consoles sold other than what we already knew.

[jznrpg]

It would serve them better to release numbers and admit their mistakes instead of spinning and lies . But it’s too late they chose their direction and people who want to see the truth will

[Elda]

Embarrassed sounds about right.

[ghostrider32]

Old news. They're selling horribly. All they had to do is invest in their first party. The Xbox developers have no talent. They make the same few games more than brand new material with their one dimensional asses. And the management team are stupid people that never knew what gamers want. Throw the whole Xbox staff away and get nothing but NEW FACES, AND MAYBE XBOX WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE NEXT GEN YOU STUPID AMERICAN COMPANY.

[Father__Merrin]

I think it's high time you recant your belief in Xbox and join playstation

[TheCommentator]

Why are we still talking about MS and "Next Generation" consoles? MS isn't doing generational consoles anymore, their doing iterative consoles which allow for a console to remain relevant for longer. When the "2X" comes along, the 1X simply becomes the base HW and will probably just be reduced a 1080p machine while 4K is on the 2X instead. If people recognized this, they'd see that MS will already have the 1X owners as a "Next Gen" install base on launch day.

That said, I'm assuming that they're not revealing sales numbers because their sales are weak and they'd rather not let people know. Conversely, talking about where they are successful instead shows that they aren't going to exit the market any time soon.

[Realms]

IMO MS won't release their numbers because the narrative would be that Sony is winning two to one maybe even more so they shift the focus off of sales numbers. Truth be told if MS had good numbers they would be shouting them from the sky, all you have to do is look at how they handled the xbox x launch and it's marketing touting "REAL 4K" yeah ok MS because native 4K wasn't already a thing on PC, they just used that to take a jab at Sony.

[Zabatsu]

Because they are that much lower than the rest. If you don't provide the proof to back your statements, you can get away with anything. Make a Trump, in shorter terms.

[AgeInTheCage]

There should be at least 70 million xboxoxe and X sold since EVERYONE that post here all upgraded to the mighty X on day 1. Why hide them numbers?

[quenomamen]

Oooh it doesnt matter, Xbox is doing great, they're making a killing, they got record profits!
Least thats what all the Xbots say on N4G.

[XxExacutionerxX]

Well just count Xbox console sales with PC’s with Windows 10 games and you’ll see why Microsoft doesn’t care about the sales numbers. That number is way over PS anything.
This is a fact, please keep Sony fanboy rage down.
I love Xbox and I am a fanboy..... lol

[Tzuno]

What sales?

[Glak18]

Is the answer embarrassment? I would read the article, but...nope.

[pinkcrocodile75]

As long as I was able to buy a few xbox consoles, I really don't care.

Sure it's bragging right for whomever has the larger install, but thats about it and I for one am not going to have a heart attack over something so pointless.

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

Because it is embarrassing when the competition has sold nearly twice as much in the same time frame.

[Sayai jin]

The PS4 is dominating this gen. There is no denying that, but the article says dismal numbers for the XB1 is a stretch
It's still selling well, but no where near the competition.

[zerocarnage]

Alot of people are mistaken and are not half blowing something up out of nothing that has been old news long time ago, the fanboys and haters will seize any opportunity on this site to try spark more hate for Microsoft, it really is sad..

As I was saying alot of people are mistaken, it has nothing to do with feeling embarrassed as to why they do not release console sale numbers at all. Microsoft use subscription numbers over console sales and to be honest having your subscription gamers logging on each day let's say is a more realistic way into finding a solid number as too who is still gaming on your service.

This gen when the consoles released x and y were sold on a huge scale and to this day x and y are still being sold, but no one knows for sure what console x or console y's sales numbers really Are, how many have broke, sitting in second hand shops for resale or even been passed around like the plague as refurbished consoles.

There are also all the consoles that were won by competition's are they counted as sales also..

Like I said I think the best representation of who is on your service is those who are logging on through each month, not sales numbers which by the way is also a thing for fanboys to try and see who has the biggest pair of peanuts between themselves, which usually isn't big with how fanboys on this site go off..

[welly300]

I enjoy my xbox but they talk crap..wish they would sell its gaming division to a company with drive and passion for its products.

[jlove4life]

@u force u r the real mvp

[subtenko]

Soon it'll be explaining why it isnt releasing Xbox's anymore :o

Say no more microsoft

[Mithan]

The Xbox One is a failure and has only sold because of the popularity of the Xbox 360, which was popular BECAUSE OF THE FACT that Sony dropped the ball with the Playstation 3's release price AND adoption of the Cell Processor, which was powerful but also very difficult to program for, making the 360 the defacto standard for the previous generation.

The majority of you people who bought a Xbox One did so because you owned a Xbox 360 and were either comfortable with the platform or had all your friends in that echo system or you really Halo.

From a consumer electronics perspective, the Xbox One made no sense. The PS4 was more powerful (30%), has far more exclusives and ran all the cross-platform titles better.

Microsoft has really dropped the ball on Xbox Fans this generation and MS still doesn't get it.

[adonisisfree]

Because the sales numbers don’t exist

[GamingInFrames]

Been a long time XBOX supporter, but I've also been around long enough to know that if you have to start going into explaining mode, it's not good.

[TheOttomatic91]

They can’t be THAT bad I think MS is being too sensitive hear, they’ll at least earn a lot more respect from me personally if they have the balls to show them.

[Youngindy21]

They never even showed the Xbox One X numbers. LOL.

[cell989]

I’ll cut to the chase, it’s called EMBARRASSMENT

[clouds5]

Whenever any company won't release sales numbers it's because they're bad. Simple as that.

[NeoGamer232]

I don't really care about sales of consoles, software, or anything.

I am a gamer and all I care about is playing games.

I have had fun with Monster Hunter, Far Cry 5, Sea of Thieves, and God of War so far this year.

[JMyers]

When they fell behind they started using "engagement numbers" like time played and Xbox live usage (which is not only console) . Sales only matter when they were leading in the NPDs. Just like how Indies, power and resolution didn't matter when the PS4 had this in the bag... These matter now since the one X. Whatever narrative MS follows the fanatics eat up... Like exclusives don't matter, games need to be service etc.

[Rhythmattic]

“We are continuing to look at engagement as our key metric for success and are no longer reporting on total console sales,”
How about
"The Most Consoles sold with an Xbox controller"
Theres one for ya.

[BlaqMagiq1]

Umm because they're being destroyed by Sony? Any smart person would've figured this out already. And eventually the XB1 be outsold by the Switch too.

[terstomp]

The fact is, is that, if Microsoft had 80 million in sales then they would mention it. They know and we know that.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Anymore? If I remember correctly, Microsoft rarely releases sales numbers for any of their consoles.