While Microsoft has recovered from the last console generation, recent financial information has not lived up to the company’s expectations. According to TweakTown, Xbox missed annual revenue forecasts by nearly $800 million.
Why it matters: Microsoft has seen much better performance after the release of the Xbox Series S|X. The new consoles and Game Pass have provided a fresh start for Xbox, but the brand still struggles to meet expectations.
This information was revealed due to the ongoing case for the Activision Blizzard merger. The case file includes an eighty-page Microsoft document related to plans for Xbox growth.
Microsoft was targeting revenue of $17 billion for Q3 FY22 for the Xbox division. However, Xbox only made $16.22 billion in this quarter. As such, the gaming giant missed the target by a whopping $780 million.
While $16.22 billion is far from terrible, Microsoft previously admitted that Xbox is underperforming. During the recent hearings, Phil Spencer was questioned if Xbox was meeting internal targets.
He replied:
“It is not right now, No.“
Additionally, the report also highlights Microsoft’s expectations for Game Pass. Microsoft was hoping to grow Game Pass by 72.8%. However, the subscription was unable to meet this target.
Game Pass grew from 18 million to 25 million users, but Microsoft would have needed 6 million more subscribers to meet the goal.
Despite these hurdles, Xbox is currently in a much better position than before. With games like Starfield coming in 2023, the next few months should lead to a massive surge in Game Pass subscribers.
Xbox is also targeting at least four big games each year. Games like Hellblade 2 and Avowed are set to release next year, and more games will likely be announced in the coming months.
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[News Editor]
Obaid is pursuing a Law degree while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over three years because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.