Xbox revenue up 27 percent, says Microsoft

Thanks to price drops and first-party games

Microsoft has confirmed that it’s total Xbox revenue grew 27 percent in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year.

Microsoft’s Q4 financial report chiefly attributed the rise to first-party games and Xbox Live revenue, although sales of both the Xbox One and Xbox 360 themselves showed “strong growth,” jumping from 1.1 million to 1.4 million.

Although the Computing and Gaming Hardware division (think Microsoft devices like Surface, which saw 117 percent growth over the same period the year prior) also saw a 44 percent increase, overall Microsoft reported a $2.1 billion loss.

Microsoft’s executive vice president and chief financial officer Amy Hood said the improved performance could be attributed to “solid progress against our strategic priorities, through strong execution and financial discipline.”

It is merely the console price drops that have bolstered console sales, or – after a ropey start – could the Xbox One be back in the console race?

Xbox Division Shines Despite Microsoft’s $2.1 Billion Loss [IGN]