Regardless of whether Microsoft confirms it or not, Starfield is its most important exclusive for this console generation. Xbox desperately needed a proper frontrunner after Master Chief fell flat on its face with Halo Infinite. Forza Horizon 5 was a success, but no one’s buying an Xbox to play a racing sim when they can enjoy it on PC. Hence, Starfield, a game that, while on PC, could potentially and finally convince people to buy an Xbox. For the most part, the numbers tell of a success story. Bethesda’s latest title has already led to a marked increase in Xbox Series S/X sales after topping the sales charts in the same month that it launched. It wasn’t quite enough to nudge Xbox past PlayStation in sales but still. Now, Microsoft has confirmed the best news possible for fans looking forward to seeing more from ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard going forward.
According to its most recent financial results, Xbox posted its highest gaming revenue in a quarter ever at $3.9 billion, reinforcing the importance of having proper first-party exclusives and justifying the price Microsoft paid to acquire ZeniMax Media.
Furthermore, Microsoft reported a commendable total revenue of $57 billion, which shows a 13% year-on-year increase. Within this figure, the More Personal Computing division, which encompasses Xbox, contributed $13.7 billion, marking a 3% increase. The underlying growth is attributed mainly to the Xbox content and services, which witnessed a rise of 13% year-on-year. Interestingly, this robust growth is in sharp contrast to a 7% drop in hardware sales. The reason for this surge is primarily the launch of Starfield.
More than 11 million people have already indulged in the gaming experience offered by Starfield, with almost half of its player base found on PC. Highlighting the game’s impact, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood shared that Starfield set an unparalleled record for the highest number of new Xbox Game Pass subscriptions in a single day when it debuted. This has resulted in a surge of Game Pass subscriptions during the quarter, setting another record for the average number of hours played by each user. Clearly, Xbox Game Pass and first-party content have been pivotal in driving the growth in Xbox content and services.
The synergy between Microsoft and Starfield is apparent. Bethesda Game Studios released Starfield in September, and it promptly amassed 10 million players. Such rapid adoption and popularity proves its influence on the gaming ecosystem, even though its Steam reviews continue to go from bad to worse.
The strategic approach Microsoft adopted with Starfield is noteworthy. Despite being available for “free” through Game Pass, Starfield has spawned several revenue streams. This includes sales beyond Game Pass, the more expensive editions linked to early access, forthcoming DLC additions, and sales on platforms like Steam. This revenue model showcases Microsoft’s vision and flexibility in leveraging both subscription-based and traditional sales channels.
Starfield has received mixed reviews on social media, especially when compared to other Bethesda games. However, its persistent high player counts, even two months post-launch, in both Xbox and Steam platforms, bear testimony to its success. These numbers are significant, especially considering it’s a single-player game without any ongoing content or expansion. This game’s trajectory should embolden Microsoft, setting a precedent for other upcoming games under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella.
While the success of Starfield is undeniable, the challenge is now for Xbox to replicate this success in the future. Several highly anticipated games like Fable, Perfect Dark, Avowed, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II are in the pipeline, but it remains to be seen if they can replicate the “Starfield effect.”
Another potential catalyst for growth is Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. With this move, Microsoft not only bolsters its gaming portfolio but also stands to benefit from revenues of blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Diablo, and Warcraft. The forthcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is particularly significant, with Microsoft expecting a substantial jump in gaming revenue due to this title and the inclusion of Activision Blizzard’s offerings.
Despite the achievements in the gaming sector, Microsoft’s diversified portfolio continues to grow in other areas. Case in point, the Productivity and Business Processes and the Intelligent Cloud segments reported revenues of $18.6 billion and $24.3 billion, respectively, with the latter seeing a 19% rise year-on-year. The strength of Microsoft’s cloud, server, and Office offerings remains the primary driver of the company’s revenue growth.
The integration of Starfield into the Xbox ecosystem has indeed been a game-changer. It’s emblematic of the potential of the Game Pass model, setting the stage for an exciting future for gamers and stakeholders alike.
Hopefully, Xbox doesn’t fumble and builds on the foundation it has laid.
