Microsoft's Xbox 360 division is seeing the profit

it's because of teh haloz

it's because of t3h CoD4z

Hmm...a little game called Halo 3 couldn't have contributed to that at all :) Great job Microsoft! Keep bringing the good games and I'll keep emptying my wallet.

but its also because of the Mass Effectz (and blue lezboz)

Unfortunately, pulling a 360 would put them back where they started. I believe the term you are looking for (but not as thematically relevant) is 180.

(yes I have nothing better to do than pedantically point out mistakes like this)

MS also turned a profit the quarter that Halo 2 was released. That was the only quarter they've done so until now.

Good to see them put two quarters together like this.

It would be 180°.

If they start losing money again, then it'll be 360°.

"pulled a 360, going from major losses to major gains" Even David Copperfield couldn't do something like this.

I thought this had been reported a few months back? That the entertainment division was already gaining a profit?

That's one of the things that made that "secret of the RROD" thing seem so odd, as the guy was claiming they weren't seeing a profit at all.

I think a lot of things went into this profitability -

1. Halo 3 - it sold almost five million in three months.

2. Ads. You don't realize it, but each ad you see on the 360's dashboard represents an asston of money for MS - Cell phone companies, movie studios, and broadband providers all have a great big advertising stiffy when it comes to the 18-24 male demographic - the people in said demographic spend more money than anyone else - they also happen to make up the bulk of 360 gamers.

3. XBL gold - more subscribers means more cash in MS's pocket.

4. Microtransactions - MS gets a cut on all of them. ALL OF THEM.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.

Well I bought 15 games last year, so at £40 each I gave MS £600. Now I am living on Rice and Seetcorn.

Plus Bill gates turned into a potato...big dollar there.

It's a lot of factors really.

Master chief really did his part of course, it's hard to argue with the idea of him "leading the way here.

A bunch of Marines, SAS and "OpFor" also fought and died for this accomplishment. Of course they also fought on the side of the "enemy"

To be sure Commander Sheppard and his/her blue alien *girl*firend did their part while saving all sentient life in the Galaxy.

Let it not be forgotten the sacrifices of countless Big Daddy "volunteers" not to mention the little sisters they protect (please, won't somebody think of the little sisters?)

Also figter "Ace" Talisman and his wingman Shamrock, Garuda team provided some great close air support, even propelling the 360 above the PS3 in Japan, even if it was for only one week.

And stealthily we even had an Assassin who murdered his way through to do his part, of course like the military members mentioned above, this Assassin's services were available to others who could afford his price.

And in the background a supporting cast of guitar players (and drummers & singers), racecar drivers, even movie moguls.

Congrats to all!