XBLM sales surpassed Live subscriptions as Microsoft Xbox Div. income grew in fiscal year
Microsoft has posted financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year, which ended June 30. The Entertainment and Devices Division (EDD), of which the Xbox 360 and PC gaming business are a part of, posted revenues of $1.6 billion for the quarter, up from $1.25 billion during the same period last year. Revenue exclusive to the Xbox and PC gaming business was up to $228 million, a 30 percent increase.
EDD also posted an operating loss of $172 million, which grew for the $141 million recorded during the same quarter last year. Factors contributing to the loss included increased marketing costs, increased third-party sales on Xbox Live Marketplace and the discontinuation of the KIN phone.
Microsoft's full fiscal year 2010 report paints a brighter picture, with the EDD posting an operating income of $679 million, up from $108 million in fiscal 2009, an increase of 528 percent. The increased income was due primarily to reduced operating expenses. Revenue costs also decreased $528 million, thanks largely to lower Xbox 360 production costs. Fiscal 2010 revenues were essentially flat at just over $8 billion.
Additionally, Microsoft moved 1.5 million Xbox 360 consoles during the quarter, compared to 1.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. In all, 10.3 million consoles were sold in fiscal 2010, down from 11.2 million the previous year. Meanwhile, Xbox Live now has 25 million members, and our cohorts at Engadget report that Xbox Live Marketplace revenue has exceeded Xbox Live subscription revenue for the first time.
