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Microsoft Not Giving Up On Xbox Anytime Soon
In an employee memo titled "Bold Ambition and Our Core", Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed and clarified Microsoft's stance on the Xbox. Despite past rumors of misgivings, the Xbox is here to stay.
"The single biggest digital life category, measured in both time and money spent, in a mobile-first world is gaming," wrote Nadella. "We are fortunate to have Xbox in our family to go after this opportunity with unique and bold innovation."
His understanding that video games are a significant and growing market is important and may signify more focus on Xbox in the future. If their E3 conference was a signifier for anything, it's that Microsoft does in fact care about video games as well as moving forward in terms of innovation.
"Microsoft will continue to vigorously innovate and delight gamers with Xbox."
In addition, Nadella further discussed continued innovation with the Xbox One and how those innovations connect to Microsoft's larger business model. "Bottom line, we will continue to innovate and grow our fan base with Xbox while also creating additive business value for Microsoft."
Despite a rocky lifespan, it seems as though the Xbox One has settled down both in the minds and in the homes of many gamers. Still, the console's sales are lagging some millions behind the PlayStation 4. The last official word from both companies in terms of sales came in April, but recent reports plant the Xbox One at around 5 million units sold with the PlayStation 4 up at 9 million.
Nadella also went forth to address the future and success of Microsoft's other products, as well as discussing Microsoft's culture, worldview, and core beliefs, all of which can be read in detail in the memo.
[Source: Microsoft]
Our Take
This is definitely good news. I remember hearing the rumors that Microsoft might sell off Xbox a couple months ago. Putting any fanboy narcissism aside, it wouldn't benefit the gaming industry in any way if we were to lose Xbox.
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