Despite being behind the PS4 in total global sales, Microsoft’s Xbox division is seeing good returns. In its Q4 financial report, it was revealed that total revenue for the console rose by 27 percent. First party sales, Xbox Live digital transactions and platform sales all contributed to the growth.
Meanwhile, combined sales of the Xbox 360 and Xbox One were at 1.4 million during this fiscal quarter as compared to 1.1 million during the same period in 2014. The overall platform revenue is up 10 percent though this is offset by the price cuts that the Xbox One has received over the past few months.
Microsoft overall suffered an operating loss of $2.1 billion (due in part to the restructuring that occurred regarding Nokia) though its Computing and Gaming Hardware division – which includes devices like Surface and Xbox – increased in revenue by 44 percent. Minecraft, which Microsoft acquired last year, has also helped first party revenue increase by 62 percent year on year for $63 million during this fiscal quarter.