By Sagar V. Mankar 
Microsoft’s recent financial filings and earnings call (Q3 of 2024) revealed a concerning trend: Xbox console (X/S) sales have dropped by a staggering 31% year-on-year basis.
This decline is a stark contrast to the company’s competitors, Sony and Nintendo, who have maintained a stronger foothold in the hardware market.
Microsoft’s Gaming Revenue Soars Despite Console Sales Slump
Interestingly, despite the slump in console sales, Microsoft’s gaming division is experiencing significant revenue growth.
The company reported a 51% increase in gaming revenue, with Xbox content and services seeing a 62% surge.
However, it’s worth noting that these impressive numbers are heavily influenced by Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the successful integration of its blockbuster titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and the launch of Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass.
Is Microsoft Abandoning Console Hardware?
This trend aligns with recent rumors where many Xbox experts claim that Xbox abandoning its console hardware.
They say the company is gradually transforming into a different kind of gaming entity, one that places less emphasis on hardware sales.
While Microsoft will continue to manufacture consoles, the importance of hardware in its overall business model is diminishing.
Instead, the tech giant is focusing on making its games accessible across various platforms, effectively positioning itself as a third-party publisher.
The Rise of Game Streaming and Subscription Services
One of the key factors driving Microsoft’s shift in strategy is the growing popularity of game streaming and subscription services.
The company has reported record-breaking numbers for game streaming hours and usage of its consoles and games across various devices.
Microsoft’s Multiplatform Gaming Strategy
Interestingly, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the benefits of releasing more Microsoft-owned titles on other platforms like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
In fact, he boasted that Microsoft had seven games among the top 25 on the PlayStation Store earlier this month, more than any other publisher at the time.
Recently, Microsoft-owned titles, such as the Fallout series and Sea of Thieves, have been among the top 25 most-played games on the PlayStation Store.
The Future of Microsoft’s Gaming Ambitions
While Microsoft will continue to produce hardware as they announced Next Gen Hardware earlier, it’s clear that the company is pivoting towards a future where owning an Xbox console is no longer a necessity to access its gaming ecosystem.
This transition brings its own set of challenges, such as the potential subscription ceiling for Game Pass and the uncertain future of game streaming as a mainstream gaming platform.
Sony’s Contrasting Strategy
In contrast to Microsoft’s multiplatform approach, its rival Sony remains firmly committed to its console ecosystem.
The company’s focus is on releasing exclusive AAA titles primarily for its PlayStation consoles, with occasional PC ports years after the initial release.
However, this strategy raises concerns about the ballooning budgets of AAA game development and the inability to compete with the value proposition of services like Game Pass.