Microsoft releases new statistics, expects 10m Live users by June 2008
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Sep 20th 2007 at 7:20PM }
According to the stats, the original Xbox's Halo 2 is still the most-played title on Xbox Live, followed by Epic's Gears of War. On Xbox Live Arcade, Aegis Wing is the most widely downloaded title, with family card classic Uno coming in second. It's clear that Microsoft considers Live to be the 360's killer app, boasting that 70% of connected console users download and play XBLA games. In terms of social networking, Microsoft is proud to have 2.6 million text and voice messages sent over their service every day, and claims that the average Live Gold user has 23 friends listed. It's no MySpace, but maybe that's a good thing...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ruibing @ Sep 20th 2007 7:49PM
Since Silver subscription is free, doesn't that just mean there's 7 million people with a 360 and they expect 3 million more by June 2008?
LJKelley @ Sep 20th 2007 8:55PM
Wrong, as shocking as it may seem I know friends with 360s that have never used them online...
vinny @ Sep 21st 2007 9:24AM
out of the 6 guys i know with 360's , im the only guy with a live account, damn fools they are
Jeff @ Sep 20th 2007 7:49PM
How is Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion played over Xbox live?
wtfbbq? If that were any kind of fact, I'd own a 360.
Imadogg @ Sep 20th 2007 9:07PM
It's just whatever you play while hooked up to Xbox Live, Gold or Silver account.
And yea I wanna see the ratio of Gold:Silver accounts
lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 20th 2007 7:50PM
Are they counting both silver and live accounts? If so I'd like to see some sort of ratio there, but I digress. Congrats on the numbers I suppose, much better than PS3's got for now.
Mr. P @ Sep 20th 2007 7:57PM
PS3 has been out for one year. Xbox 360 has been out for two. Logic. Use it.
Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Sep 20th 2007 8:16PM
Considering I have 3 silver accounts, I wonder how they count those "10m Live users"...
lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 20th 2007 10:00PM
Whoa there Mr. P don't get hyper defensive on me (please note I said "for now") because I congratulated a company you don't like. It's called tongue in cheek humor, check it out some time.
And yes, it's still kinda impressive, assuming they're counting only gold memberships, if not, like someone else said, it's nothing special.
Evan @ Sep 21st 2007 12:02AM
Microsoft's previous press releases have included both silver and gold in their count, so chances are this statement is too.
Guybrush Threepwood @ Sep 20th 2007 7:50PM
Is Microsoft counting Silver users as Xbox Live subscribers?
Because if they are, these stats mean nothing, regardless of Xbox Live's awesomeness.
Mr. P @ Sep 20th 2007 7:56PM
It's just a pissing contest between them and Sony.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 21st 2007 4:14AM
Sony is NOT in this pissing contest. There are more people who use Nintendo's WFC via the DS than there are PS3's on the planet. The WFC is free and is growing really fast too. There is unfortunately no way to track any of this shit except for the random times when one of the companies makes a press release like this. Maybe some day we'll get lucky and they'll both do it on the same day... ::dreams himself to death::
Spartacus @ Sep 20th 2007 7:59PM
6.2 attach rate. The 360 has sold more games than the PS3 and Wii COMBINED. I don't care how "popular" or "trendy" the Wii is, the 360 is where devs will make their money. If this trend continues, the 360 is going to be the defacto game machine, ala PS2.
Secura @ Sep 20th 2007 8:19PM
Not really. Try again.
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 20th 2007 9:08PM
You're applauding the fact that it took a whole year to sell around 5M more games?!? Actually, it's not that great.
MS is sugar coating numbers based on the fact it was out a year earlier than the wii or PS3. Some of their "statistics" are quite laughable. I guess it would wow the uneducated though.
Spartacus @ Sep 20th 2007 9:46PM
Matt B,
I know you're a Sony fan, but what part of 6.2 attach rate would only "wow the uneducated"? As far as I can tell, the last update was the PS3 managed a 3.4 attach rate. Granted, the longer a system is out the more games it should sell, but the fact that the Wii has sold more consoles (or at least equal) than the 360 and the PS3 has sold around 4 million, the fact that the 360 sells more games is something worth taking note of.
Just an observation, not an iron clad prediction.
sheppy2.0 @ Sep 20th 2007 10:23PM
I'd hate to bust it down like this but PS3 has a 3.5 attach rate and Wii has a 4.1. So in essence 6.8 < 7.6. But when we get past this, there is another issue...
I'd hate to play devils advocate but let's put it this way, what kind of console has that kind of attach rate and what of it's userbase? I guess what I'm trying to say here is would such a console be harboring hardcore gamers or casuals and likewise, which is more important in the long run? I mean, Xbox 360 at last check is still lagging behind their original Xbox sales so it's clearly priced outside of casual gamer market (but so is PS3 before anyone jumps my shit on that) and the $50 price cut wasn't drastic enough to lower the bar to let the casuals in. This fact is only further hindered by the fact that DS and PS2 still remain VERY viable systems for the casual adopters well into the next gen lifecycle. Evidence of this is found merely in the fact that aside from PS3 and 360, PS2 remains the other choice for Rock Band to be released on.
So in essence, you have a system that has a high attach rate and yet it caters to a selective and small group. To make matters worse, every effort to target casual consumers has thus far failed drastically.
So yes, the attach rate is excellent and it's a good sign that the hardcore gamer market isn't going to disappear anytime soon, but it also has an audience and refuses to expand that audience. It's like trying to get Nintendo gamers to support third party efforts.
Korova @ Sep 20th 2007 11:16PM
sheppy, you cant add the N & S attach rates. You have to average them. So the roman rebel leader was right.
I am not sure if casual appeal is a blessing or a curse, because developers arent too thrilled about people who buy the system as a sculpture for their apartment. They want to sell games.
Some will target the casual market but noncommitted owners will be next swayed by the iPhone or some other fad. There is a definite fad risk with the Wii.
PS3 on the other hand can really be a threat if they ramp up the games that look better that 360 and drop the price.
I pick 360 FTW, but its just a bet.
Wilhelm @ Sep 20th 2007 11:34PM
Hey Matt,
That is 5 million more games than two consoles combined. Both been out for almost a year. So that makes two years, which is how long the 360 has been out. So you could say it's an equal playing field in that manner.
Spartacus @ Sep 20th 2007 11:52PM
sheppy,
I hear where you're coming from (and the argument has been said before), but if the 360 is in danger of only catering to the hardcore, the PS3 is doomed.
Your biggest point was that the casual gamer only enters the market once the price is right. Since the price is clearly NOT right on the 360 yet, then we really can't argue about whether or not the 360 will attract them. Once the price drops to $200, then we'll see how the market plays, but for now the 360 has the hardcore demographic nailed. I don't see how that is a bad thing. MS goes for the hardcore gamer first and then as price permits, they cater to the casual market. The Wii on the other hand caters to the casual market only for the most part. Then you have the PS3 which caters to the A/V elitist market and will slowly gain more mainstream shoppers. But the PS3 doesn't even cater to the hardcore gamer market at this point (compared to the 360), so it's got an uphill battle this go around wouldn't you say?
sheppy2.0 @ Sep 21st 2007 12:21AM
Korova, he said combined. I added figures, thus where adding comes from. Reading Comprehension ftw.
Sparticus, as I said, I'm just playing devils advocate on the debate. The problem that MS could face in becoming a hardcore gamer console only is in the fact that the games and the library in general will cater to them and them only. So as people start looking into the cheaper consoles, they look at a lineup catered specifically to the hardcore, and they will ultimately be pushed away. Unless casual style games start finding a home on 360 in a profitable manner, that's not what the developers will focus on.
Also take into account, achievement points. Let me guess, "How in the fuck will he make Achievement Points out to be a bad thing?" Well, actually, they're not. But they are rather intimidating to the weekend spartans if you will. I mean, let's put it this way, initially they are cool, but what's this? Oh, achieve S ranking in online games, play 1000 matches, etc. This is some pretty intimidating shit. And sadly, many casual gamers think the games are incomplete until they've gotten 100%. So it's intimidating to say the least. Of course this is all speculation but high competition + complex games are what pushed em away in the first place. PS2 supported both, no system in this current gen can claim that (although if Sony stays on their current path, they could. But then that pesky price gets in the way).
Now keep in mind, as I say this, these are issues which will effect PS3 as well. So it's not an MS only thing.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 21st 2007 4:22AM
He did say combined. But my personal attach rate for my Wii is greater than all 3 systems' averages combined. But don't worry about me. I have a SERIOUS gaming problem. Anyway, the numbers will be skewed when it's 2 years vs. 1 year. Next year it will be 3 years vs. 2 years and it won't be as drastic. Either way, at the rate the hardware is selling, attach rates aren't going to make a difference for long. The 360 is selling about 150% as many games as the Wii in 200% the time (irrelevant), but each month Nintendo is selling over 200% as many Wiis as Microsoft is selling 360s. An attach rate of 100 won't stop the Wii train after this Christmas. These numbers are only cute for a couple more weeks.
But seriously, NOBODY can afford this Christmas. This Christmas, everybody wins.
Slaziman @ Sep 21st 2007 9:32AM
There is nothing more casual than teh Haloz, it's gonna sell like mad to casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Spartacus @ Sep 21st 2007 12:19PM
sheppy,
No, you can't add Sony and Ninty's attach rate just because I said "combined". Why? Because all the systems haven't sold the same amount of consoles. Scroll down to my next comment to see the math (which was supposed to be in my last and then I tried to reply again, only to have the reply system mess up).
And you may be right about a system catering to the hardcore, but as I said, Sony is in even worse trouble than MS if this is the case. Sony has the MOST expensive console with the WORST attach rate and not much (if any) more "casual" games than the 360, especially if you consider XBLA games.
marcandrer @ Sep 20th 2007 8:00PM
the website has GRAW3 in the list.. is that out on the 360 yet :) ? lol
Imadogg @ Sep 20th 2007 9:08PM
Where does it show GRAW3?
marcandrer @ Sep 20th 2007 9:40PM
Call of Duty 2
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter [b]3[/b]
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Crackdown
http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/news/?id=17501
Imadogg @ Sep 21st 2007 12:35AM
Ah thanks.
Wtf
TRUTH @ Sep 20th 2007 8:06PM
That is Sweeeeeet!!! I need some more HEADSHOTS!
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 20th 2007 8:24PM
nice beach picture
and live is pretty cool
Pete @ Sep 20th 2007 9:08PM
Coogee Beach, Australia. I was a part of the number 6 :)
Imadogg @ Sep 20th 2007 9:10PM
Glad Aegis Wing (free) is number 1, means people actually heard about it and downloaded the full game, that is nice.
An Xbox game still #1 all time on the 360? Don't like that.
Bioshock is already the 4th most downloaded demo? Wow, that's great.
And yea I believe they count any new account that signs onto XBL even once with silver or gold.
ssuk @ Sep 21st 2007 2:54AM
And yet it's a title which is only avaliable on the American marketplace. Granted, you can make a new US marketplace account to download it (I did), but that's not the point. If you're offering it free to America, why not the UK or Australia? MS does piss me off sometimes.
HB96st @ Sep 20th 2007 9:20PM
"It's just a pissing contest between them and Sony."
YEAH, One Is whizzing like a river (M$), and the other is dripping like a loose faucet (Sony)...
lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 20th 2007 10:04PM
If you mean whizzing out a river of money then yes, the 360 is managing to do just that with their 9 billion dollar loss this past fiscal year. Don't get me wrong, Sony's not making cash hand over fist in their games department either, but 9 BILLION dollars is a lot of money even to MS.
Fanboys make me laugh.
Phour ZwanZig @ Sep 20th 2007 10:43PM
Lessbiasedthanmost--
What loss are you refering to? The dev cost for the 360, ha what a joke.. All systems cost money and lost of it, for R&D.
Spartacus @ Sep 21st 2007 12:15AM
Eh, forgot some of my post...
360: 6.2 attach rate = hardcore gamers (supposedly)
Wii: 4.1 attach rate = not hardcore gamers (supposedly)
PS3: 3.4 attach rate = ???
More math...
11.5M (consoles sold) x 6.2 (attach rate) = 71.3M XBOX 360 games sold
10.9M (consoles sold) x 4.1 (attach rate) = 44.7M Wii games sold
4.5M (consoles sold) x 3.4 (attach rate) = 15.3M PS3 games sold
XBOX 360: 71.3M > Wii+PS3: 60M
:-)
Evan @ Sep 21st 2007 1:49AM
Keep in mind, people have owned their 360s for longer.
Assuming consumers buy games at a constant rate, and the average 360 is approximately 9 months old, and the average 360 owner has purchased 6.2 games, that averages out to about one game purchase every 45 days.
The average Wii is approximately 5 months old, and the average Wii owner has purchased 4.1 games, that works out to about one game purchase every 35 days.
The average PS3 is also 5 months old, and the average PS3 owner has purchased 3.4 games, that works out to about one game purchase every 45 days.
So, Wii owners are purchasing games just as frequently as 360 owners.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 21st 2007 4:29AM
Once again, the Evan who isn't me serves people harder than I do, and I used to be a waiter. I served folks left and right! Oh... my life.
Slaziman @ Sep 21st 2007 10:09AM
There is a lot more factors to consider Evan, after all new people join the fray all the time, and they drop the attach rate with them, so the comparison isn't really fair.
I wonder if that attach rate includes Wii Sports by the way?
T3H WICKERMAN @ Sep 21st 2007 9:33AM
That is without a doubt the most colorful display of pagentry any hitler youth rally has ever had! All they had to do was spruce it up a bit and some color and pizaz! You go (little hitler youth) GIRLS !!! ;)
T3H WICKERMAN @ Sep 21st 2007 9:35AM
not quite PHOUR ! nintendo profits on their wii-wis!