A recent analysis by Ampere has crowned Microsoft and Xbox as the world’s top games publisher for December 2024, with $465 million in spending on their products. This success is largely attributed to Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy, which includes popular titles like Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Candy Crush Saga. Interestingly, 64% of this spending came from PlayStation’s ecosystem. Despite concerns about Xbox hardware sales, Microsoft’s strategy appears to be paying off, positioning them ahead of competitors like EA.
According to the latest analysis by Ampere, Microsoft and Xbox have become the world’s number one games publisher for December 2024, raking in a whopping $465 million. That’s right, nearly half a billion dollars was spent on their games across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. Talk about a high score!
So, what’s behind this epic win? Well, it’s no surprise that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 played a major role. This blockbuster title was one of the biggest games over the holiday period, attracting a staggering 38 million monthly users in November 2024. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder it set the stage for a December to remember.
But wait, there’s more! The release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also contributed to Microsoft’s success. Who knew that a whip-wielding archaeologist could still draw a crowd this day in age? And let’s not forget Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy, which has been a game-changer. A jaw-dropping 64% of consumer spending on Microsoft titles in December came from PlayStation formats, driven by the unstoppable force that is Call of Duty.
In the race for the top spot, Microsoft left Electronic Arts (EA) in the dust. EA managed to generate $366 million over the same period, thanks to EA Sports FC 25. While impressive, it just couldn’t keep up with Microsoft’s powerhouse performance.
And it’s not just Microsoft making waves. December was a big month for Chinese publishers too. Titles like Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2 brought in millions of monthly active users and significant revenue, pushing Tencent and Netease into Ampere’s monthly rankings for the first time. The global scale of these major Chinese publishers is adding a new dynamic to the console and PC gaming markets, making the competition fiercer than ever.
Meanwhile, in the console wars, PS5 sales are tracking ahead of PS4 in the US, while Xbox Series console sales are lagging behind Xbox One. This widening gap highlights the challenges Microsoft faces in the hardware department. But fear not, Xbox fans! Microsoft’s gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, has been making the rounds, discussing the company’s new, more open approach to multiplatform game development. It’s clear that Microsoft is playing the long game, and they’re not about to hit pause anytime soon.
Microsoft has claimed the throne as the world’s top games publisher for December 2024, proving that their strategy is paying off in a big way.
What Happens to the Xbox Console as Microsoft Embraces Publishing More?
As Microsoft continues to embrace its role as a leading games publisher, one can’t help but wonder: what does this mean for the future of the Xbox console? With the company’s multiplatform strategy in full swing, and a significant portion of its revenue coming from games sold on rival platforms like PlayStation, the traditional console-exclusive model seems to be evolving.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen Microsoft make bold moves to expand its gaming ecosystem beyond the confines of the Xbox console. The acquisition of major studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard has bolstered its game library, while the introduction of Xbox Game Pass has revolutionized how players access and enjoy games. Titles like Sea of Thieves and Grounded have made their way to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, signaling a shift towards a more inclusive gaming experience.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming CEO, has been vocal about the company’s commitment to making games available on multiple platforms. In recent interviews, he emphasized that keeping games off other platforms is not a path Microsoft wants to take. Instead, the focus is on delivering a unified experience across devices, with services like Play Anywhere and backward compatibility enhancements.
However, this raises an important question: if Microsoft’s games are available on various platforms, what incentive do players have to buy an Xbox console? Spencer has addressed this concern by highlighting the importance of hardware innovation. He envisions Xbox hardware competing on power and differentiation, rather than relying solely on exclusive games. The goal is to create a platform that offers unique experiences enabled through improved hardware and services.
In this evolving landscape, the Xbox console remains a critical part of Microsoft’s strategy, but its role is shifting. The emphasis is on providing a seamless gaming experience across devices, whether it’s on an Xbox console, a PC, or a mobile device.
I’ve speculated that the Xbox division may deliver one final traditionally stationary console in the next couple of years and then maybe pivot to handhelds if the market isn’t saturated by that point, but it’s becoming clearer with time that owning an Xbox console is more an aesthetic choice versus a necessity in the gaming world.
