Microsoft are known for not wanting to share information on Xbox console sales, however, a new image is circulating from an ID@Xbox presentation, showing the total number of Xbox console sales that have been processed. A photo of the presentation, which was given at the BIG Festival in Brazil, shows 21 million Xbox Series X/S have been sold, 79 million Xbox X/S and Xbox One combined have been sold, and 48% of Xbox S players are new to the Xbox.
This is all a very surprising revelation as Microsoft has said in the past that it is no longer sharing regular annual Xbox console sales updates. However, this information is not necessarily an annual update and shows a figure which represents Xbox console sales sales over several years.
Microsoft may be sharing the Xbox console sales now to prove to the gaming community that it has had success over the past years, and the Series X/S are continuing to grow. Given the recent Federal Trade Commission case against Microsoft over its’ attempted acquisition of developer, Activision Blizzard, the company needs to show it is still strong in the face of adversity.
There is also the possibility the company is wanting to show fans it’s never too late to get an Xbox, given the large percentage of consumers who are buying brand new to the system. Although the reason behind why the company is sharing such privileged information is unknown, although one cannot help but wonder if like everything recently, it is connected to the Activision merger.
Why Microsoft Might Be on the Path to Oversharing as the FTC Case Continues to Make Headlines
Microsoft has had a lot revealed due to the investigation into their company by the Federal Trade Commission, so it should not be shocking to learn they are outright giving the public inside information now. In the course of the investigation, gamers have learned Microsoft is keeping a close eye on Sony, there is a deep desire for the company to release exclusive games, and there was an internal fear over whether the cloud streaming service, Project xCloud, would fail. The evidence and redacted documents have kept a steady flow and some observers of the case continue to pick at the bones of anything making its way to the public.
It is clear by the end of the case against Microsoft, a lot of inside information about the company will be revealed, whether leadership in the company likes it or not. The best way to get ahead of the legal system, is to give an announcement to the public first. This appears to be the Microsoft strategy, it can look transparent to both the courts and the public by showing its’ hand before the information becomes a headline story. It’s a controlled bleed and appears to be the best solution to a difficult situation facing the company.
Xbox Console Sales is Something Gamers Have Wondered About for Years
Even the company’s recently acquired Bethesda Game Studios is starting to reduce hype over it’s next big title, Starfield, which appears to be a strategic move on the part of Microsoft as well as the game developer. Todd Howard, the game’s director, has said that only ten percent of planets in the game will have life, the game will release digital-only, and there will be no planetary rover vehicles.
It appears, the strategy for Xbox is to stay open and in some ways even reduce the hype so that fans do not have a negative reaction when they learn the truth. It’s unsurprising those at Microsoft are trying to put out fires and it can be clearly seen through marketing strategies and newly disclosed information.
Source: Twitter
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