Microsoft Claims Revenue Lead In Internal Memo

Noted Mercury News reporter Dean Takahashi has reprinted a recent e-mail memo sent by Microsoft games chief Don Mattrick to his team. Reprinted in full on Takahashi’s “Tech Talk” blog, the e-mail details in advance the announcements made yesterday by Bill Gates and Robbie Bach at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Using U.S. NPD Group data through November, Mattrick points out that consumers in North America have spent over $3.5 billion on Xbox 360 hardware, software and accessories - $1 billion more than spent on the cheaper Wii and $2 billion more than on the generally more expensive PlayStation 3. Mattrick suggests that when December data is added the yearly revenue total for the Xbox 360 will exceed any other gaming platform ever, including the PlayStation 2. No mention though was made of profits generated from these revenues or how they might compare to current or previous formats. The e-mail further suggests that the eventual winner of each console generation has been the console that generated the most third party revenue, with recent NPD Group data showing that the Xbox 360 has generated more than Nintendo and Sony combined. “Looking ahead, I believe we will close 2008 with Xbox 360 being the leader of this generation of consoles, says Mattrick in the e-mail. “We’ve led our industry in developing and publishing great games on a platform that is equal parts hardware, software and services. We’ve led in driving growth for our partners at record rates. Now, it is our mission to fully deliver on our promise for Xbox 360 to be the console of choice for everyone in the family.” Hints are also given about the 2008 line-up for the Xbox 360 – which has been kept more secret than in previous years. Apparently confirmed for this calendar year are Halo Wars, Too Human, Fable 2, Alan Wake and Splinter Cell: Conviction. Mention is also made of a new Resident Evil title, despite Resident Evil 5 not widely being expected until 2009. Finally, Matrick also refers to “several exciting yet-to-be-announced titles” and “many of 2007’s biggest hits coming back in 2008 with additional downloadable content through Xbox Live”. With no major game announcements at CES, no hint is given as to when details of these new titles and downloads will be made public.