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In the final quarter of 2022, a record 120 million people logged time on their Xbox, a number that sets a new record for the company. This was confirmed by Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, during the company's second quarter earnings call.
Along with this record, Nadella also noted new highs for Game Pass subscriptions, game streaming hours, and monthly active devices. These numbers are a testament to the growing popularity of Xbox and the continued success of the brand. Game Pass, in particular, has been a major driver of growth for the company, providing gamers with access to a wide range of titles for a monthly subscription fee.
However, despite these impressive numbers, Xbox gaming revenue fell by 13% during the same quarter. This decline in revenue can be attributed to a variety of factors, including a strong prior year comparable, and a decline in first-party content. Additionally, lower monetisation in third-party content also played a role in the decline.
— Halo (@Halo) January 21, 2023
Despite this, Nadella remained optimistic about the future of Xbox. He confirmed that there is more yet to come from the division, with an "upcoming line-up of triple-A launches including exciting new titles from ZeniMax and Xbox Game Studios" on the way. This is sure to excite gamers and Xbox fans alike, as they look forward to new and exciting experiences on the platform.
Unfortunately, this news comes as Microsoft announced that it will be laying off 10,000 employees, with Halo developer 343 Industries thought to have been particularly affected. This is a difficult time for those affected by the layoffs, but 343 Industries was quick to point out that Halo will continue to be developed despite the layoffs, saying that "Halo and Master Chief are here to stay." A statement published on social media continued, saying that "343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic stories, multiplayer, and more of what makes Halo great."