Xbox content and services revenue was up 30% year-over-year, helping contribute to a strong first quarter of Microsoft’s 2021 fiscal year. Microsoft reported its net income was up 30% overall — led largely by cloud services.
During the pandemic, Microsoft saw a surge in xCloud and Game Pass services, announcing that it had 15 million Xbox Game Pass Subscribers earlier this year. Now, Microsoft is preparing for its Nov. 10 launch of the next-gen Xbox Series X and Series S.
If Sony’s early reported demand for its next-gen console — PlayStation 5, due out Nov. 12 — is any indication, the release will be a boon for Microsoft’s current quarter. Sony said it pre-sold as many PlayStation 5 units in 12 hours in the U.S. as the first 12 weeks of PlayStation 4, which has sold more than 100 million to date.
Microsoft Q1 2021:
$37.2 billion in revenue
$13.9 billion profit (up 30% year-over-year)
$11.85 billion in “more personal computing” revenue, which includes Xbox and PCs
30% increase in Xbox-only revenue — up from flat a year ago and down from the 65% year-over-year increase last quarter
