Xbox Live now topping 35 million users

by Ben Gilbert on Aug 18th 2011 12:30PM

Since last January, Xbox Live has grown by another five million users. That's what Xbox Live marketing manager for EMEA Robin Burrowes told me in a meeting this morning where he showed off the new Windows Phone 7 UI-inspired dashboard for the Xbox 360. "Our audience growth is up to 35 million people globally across those 35 countries on Xbox Live itself," he said, explaining that the growth was spurred by the addition of nine new countries at the tail end of 2010.

Though he couldn't speak to the divide in terms of paid Xbox Live members versus unpaid (last we heard, there were over 12 million Gold subscribers), he did note that Microsoft is earning "more revenue from the transaction space than the subscription space." That means Microsoft's banking more from digital content purchases (XBLA games, Zune Marketplace, etc.) than from folks paying for the service. Of course, only some of those 35 million users will be receiving the new features of the upcoming fall dash refresh when it launches later this year.

Tags: gamescom, gamescom-2011, microsoft, microsoft-europe, robin-burrowes, xbox

Reader Comments (82)

Good for them. It's nice to see companies doing well.

@The Cole Train

Your bipartisan stance makes me sick, this is WAR sir!!! Take a side Mr!

How many PS3 user? I think I heard 77mil. Not sure though. As long as they keep making Forza, I'll keep buying Xboxes.

@Mr Hett yeah that sounds like Sony number talk. They tend to use units sold to retailer and PSN users who have multiple accounts.

Either way it's not a big deal but Xbox does have a slight userbase lead world wide right now with most of that being the US/EU

@kcswanko

"Sony number talk"? Isn't that exactly one of the things this article points out, that the numbers give by Microsoft aren't reflecting the actual number of paying subscribers? I don't think it is "Sony number talk", as much as it is typical business PR phrasing. But you're right Sony only does this, cause we all know Microsoft never does anything misleading like ship knowingly, faulty hardware after blaming it initially on customers' care of their 360s. Nah that would be silly.

@Mr Hett Sony has more accounts, but remember that they also count PSN *Forum* accounts. It's probable that many of those people don't even own a PS3, as those forums existed well into the PS2 era. The real question should be, how many of them pay for plus?

@kcswanko

Also isn't it Sony with a lead in Europe and Japan?

http://www.industrygamers.com/news/ps3-takes-1-million-unit-lead-on-xbox-360-in-europe/

@JasonGW

I don't know about that whole forum thing,

but I don't think PS+ and XBL Gold are comparable. I use PS+ for discounts and early access to demos and betas. I use XBL Gold to send messages to my friends, play online, and use Netflix. I know it may seem that they are comparable because they are similarly priced, but they're very different.

@Mr Hett

You heard 70million accounts. Those accounts are not unique. I have made at least 5 different accounts myself. Four of them before I ever owned a PS3! How many people have done the same? Quite a few. Most have at least two accounts. A lot of US users have a Japan account as well, for demos and whatnot.

So what you so-called heard was nothing more than big business propaganda. That number does not accurately represent how many PS3 subscribers there are. That more realistic number is 30-35million.

@Mr Hett

Does it really matter which company has more accounts? I think we can all agree that XBL is years ahead of its competitors.

@JasonGW

It's funny how you'd assume that regardless of not knowing any fraction of factual data on user account diversity. You think because your statement might have a thin sliver of possibility of being kinda true, it's cold hard fact because you hate Sony? Show us numbers, anything for that matter, that makes your claim even remotely believable. . . I'll wait.

No, nothing? How about the 360 and the PS3 are ACTUALLY fairly even in WW sales? No not enough fanboy for your taste?

@Mr Hett

"I think we can all agree that XBL is years ahead of its competitors."

OHH EMM GEEE CAP i bet you get all the ladies with all that coolness.

@HaVoK308

Sooo, I should ignore Sony's claim that they have 77m, believe MS when they say they have 35m, and believe you, Mr HaVoK308 when you say there's only 30-35m PSN users?

@Kimchi Kommando

I'm a little confused, when you said you'd wait and then just put a couple of hard returns and continued your rant, did you expect him to somehow preemptively respond to you, or just magically insert a reply into that space? I'll wait...

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power
how exactly is it ahead of its competitors?

@Roxas560

Well, XBL didn't get taken down for a month after getting hacked, for starters.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power

Does it really matter? No. Does it hurt to ask?
No, I dont agree XBL is years ahead of it's competitors.

I've had a Joystiq account for almost 5 yrs now, and I can count on my hand the number of my comments that haven't been downvoted. I guess I should stop voicing my opinion and make generic comments like Cole Train's.

@Lucky48

Well duh, if you're going to play the "free" card in your Sony Fanboy deck, I'm going to play the "stronger, more established, infrastructure" MS Fanboy card I've got in mine. It's not exactly Kasparov v. Deep Blue here (sorry for the mixed metaphors but I don't know the names of any famous poker players)

@Roxas560

Step 1: Pick a multiplatform game that is XBL/PSN enabled
Step 2: Play said game on XBL
Step 3: Play said game on PSN
Step 4: Tell me your HONEST opinion of your experience

I don't mean to illicit a flame war but seriously, online multiplayer through XBL is a much better experience. Probably a subjective statement but having played several multiplatform games on both consoles, I am PERSONALLY more satisfied with XBL's offerings.

@baby sea tuna

. . . seriously? I know he has no info to support his claim, I was being facetious.

I felt what I had to say could not be summed up in the length of a Jr High texting message. But you're right it's a rant when you disagree with what is said.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power

I usually enjoy reading your posts, but as of late you've been making 360 fanboy comments and snotty "your mama" jokes. Don't be mad I'm sure they'll work this whole global warming thing out.

@Kimchi Kommando

360 fanboy comments? There are 4 things I am a fanboy of:

1. Halo
2. Uncharted
3. GoW/GOW
4. String cheese

As far as momma jokes go, what can I say? I like me some fine wine to go with my string cheese.

@Lucky48

Dude, it's not like this is your first post on this site. Plenty of us have pretty established identities on here so it's not usually a stretch to read between the lines on threads like these. Let's just call a spade a spade, when appropriate.

@Mr Hett...You kept track of how many of your comments have been downvoted over the last 5 years!? I'll be the first to admit that I need a life, but brotha, you've really got to get out more..... That, or you've been denied a job, credit, or a girl because of downvotes, if that's the case, I'm sorry

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power
that's fair, but like most i don't see an honest difference. it all really depends on your internet connection.

@Slight of Ham

oH nO! I ONLY GOT ONE HEART ON MY LAST COMMENT...

better drink my own piss.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power

Step 1: Pick a multiplatform game that is XBL/PSN enabled
Step 2: Play said game on XBL
Step 3: Play said game on PSN
Step 4: Tell me your HONEST opinion of your experience

what if somebody said PS3? You said OPINION right? so if someone was to say PS3 you would totally be accepting and understanding of that conclusion right? LOL.

oh and Yo Mamma

@PR0F3TA

Then I would ask them to explain why they feel the PSN experience was better than the XBL experience. I have yet to meet a person who agrees that playing COD, BF, Madden, NBK2K, etc. is better on PSN rather than XBL.

There are a number of features (I'm not going to list them here) that XBL has that PSN doesn't. The only way you'd understand this is if you'd set your fanboy ignorance aside and tried it our for yourself.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power

It varies slightly from game to game on the 360, but I'd agree.

After playing Halo: Reach for so many months a few friends and I went back to Halo 3 this past weekend. It's so annoying not having the sidebar listing current active friends in game.

Most 360's came with a cheap free mic, which instantly affected the experience on Live (both good and bad). There's also the fact that, generally speaking, a lot more people seem to use Live than PSN for online matchmaking. (At least, where I'm from people got their Xbox 360 close to launch and few if any are just now considering getting a PS3).

More friends+easier included methods of communications+games that make matchmaking so painless your head would explode if it was any easier = a better overall online in my opinion. (But for the records I prefer the exclusive PSN games more than the exclusive XBLA games).

yeah I tend to give them too much money. Especially during the summer of arcade.

i can already see the usual trolls anxious to start a flame war...

35 Million is ALOT of people for any kind of service period. Gaming is quite popular.

@PR0F3TA

Yeah, this'll certainly be a fun thread to be a part of and totally reinforce my faith in humanity and the youth of today.

@baby sea tuna

Becareful, you might get a nosebleed from sitting so high.

That's a whole lot of people gonna get chainsawdomized come Sept. 20th!

@baby sea tuna

The more the merrier I always say! September 20th is so close yet soooo far away....

It's baffling to think of why some users aren't connected to Live. A while back it may have been reasonable as the WiFi adapter was sold separately, but now...? How? Why?

@Shadowbender because it costs a lot of money.

xbox is really a single player machine, unless you're willing to pay a yearly fee.

I wonder how many of these short "good job, team" posts are plants. I can't believe kids or adults want to take the time to say supportive things about a marketing managers numbers.

@Shadowbender
I'm not connected because I still have the old Xbox with no WiFi and don't really want to spend money to re-buy hardware I already have.

Besides, I've never liked the idea for paying for online multiplayer so it's not like I'd have anything to do if I DO get my 360 online.

@PointlessPuppies

That means that you haven't been able to get any arcade games? Dang, you are *really* missing out there if that's the case.

@WarrenEBB You can get connected to Live and not be a Gold member. I haven't hone Gold in months.

@Shadowbender I use a really long cable goes all around my house xbox live isn't that much if you buy on amazon it was only £10 for 3 months for me just try shopping around.

@baby sea tuna
Yeah, I haven't really gotten many arcade games for the Xbox, but between the ones that get ported on PSN and Steam I don't really feel like I'm missing out myself. I got the really good ones (Super Meat Boy, Monday Night Combat, Beat Hazard, etc.) on PC anyhow ;)

@PointlessPuppies

Yeah, I guess if you've got a PC and a PS3 you can probably get most of them after a while.

@Shadowbender

My 12 month ran out in February. I held off for a few months to avoid spending $40-$50 on Live. 2-3 months later accepted the $2 for 2 months deal on the dashboard. I called to cancel auto-renew and accepted their $36 for 12 months offer. In total I got 14 months for $38 and I am one happy camper.

</brag>

Wait, thats not that many, how many Black Ops copys were sold, isnt the reason why the game sells so well on Xbox is because the online multiplayer, or are all the companys (included EA) wrong about ripping off the multiplayer, could there be any reason why COD is successful, if only someone could tell me?

@Theguyoverthere

35 MILLION qualifies as "not that many" now?

@baby sea tuna
Theres 80 million suscribers on PSN, And COD still manages to sell more on 360

@Theguyoverthere 80 million ACCOUNTS.

@Theguyoverthere

WTF kind of logic is this? If there are 55 million Xbox 360s sold worldwide and there are 35 million XBL accounts...that's a shit ton of users.

@Theguyoverthere

Well, it's not like there are actually 80 million people online playing games on PSN., just like the 35 million Microsoft is touting. We don't really know what these numbers include when they spew them out to the public. It's all about bragging rights.

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Xbox Live now topping 35 million users

Reader Comments (82)

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:36PM The Cole Train said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:04PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:40PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:43PM kcswanko said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:55PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:56PM JasonGW said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:09PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:12PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:13PM HaVoK308 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:17PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:18PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:22PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:26PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:27PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:27PM Roxas560 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:30PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:34PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:42PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:42PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:43PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:50PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:56PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 2:00PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 2:13PM Slight of Ham said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 2:21PM Roxas560 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 2:27PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 4:39PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 5:22PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 5:51PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:41PM kcswanko said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:43PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:48PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:45PM Kimchi Kommando said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:44PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 2:01PM ProfessorBonkle said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:44PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:56PM WarrenEBB said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:03PM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:07PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:08PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:12PM byaboy said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:17PM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:44PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 7:46PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:44PM Theguyoverthere said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:46PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 12:51PM Theguyoverthere said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:09PM oolzie said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:24PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Aug 18th 2011 1:53PM Uncle Jesse said

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