I ask this because of the seeming 180s that MS have been making on things it once saw as integral as of recent.  I'm sure everyone remembers the DRM being integral before being dropped before the console launched.  

Recently i'm sure many are aware of the Kinectless SKU incoming. Their defense for bundling it was that it was integral to the platform that all developers had one.  That is no longer the case. 

We see profits shrinking and costs rising for the X1 launch.  Gregg Moskowitz of Cowen & Company asked Microsoft management to clarify why Xbox platform revenue grew $1.2 billion year-over-year in the second quarter, but at the same time related cost-of-goods-sold rose $1.6 billion. (http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/03/05/electronic-arts-titanfall-is-a-big-deal.aspx)  This leads me to believe the margin on the console isn't terribly high and getting even smaller with todays announcement of a cheaper model going on sale in June. 

If pricecuts and hyped shooters fail like TitanFall failed I'm not exactly sure how much longer the Xbox  division will be integral to Microsoft moving forward.  For anyone whom would like to discuss me referring to TF as a failure I would provide this link: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-titanfall-is-a-game-changer-that-will-help-sell-xbox-ones/1100-6418170/ to show the expectations on the title from MS.  

Anyone else think we will see a 180 on the division being integral to MS long term vision? It most certainly wouldn't be their first. If you do feel that way I'm particularly interested in how much in losses you think they will need to incur or a time frame. 

Has it ever been integral ?

MS would carry on being a massive money maker even if they dropped it tomorrow.

smh...

I can't find the quote right now but Bill Gates said that he would support the new CEO if he decided to spin it off. Though he didn't think that would be the case because xbox is integral to their long term vision. 

Edit: Here you go : http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/06/bill-gates-would-support-xbox-spin-off-microsoft-responds

I don't think it's integral now

that qoute again  all bill gates was trying say was that he supports the new ceo no matter what   he wasnt trying say that they are talking about selling it

Id be amazed if he used the word integral.

So if xbox fails in the future, its going to take windows, office, .net and Azure with it.

Xbox is not integral to any of MS big money makers, not now and not in the future. 

I think Xbox is integral to MS because its one of few things they have that appeals to younger consumers.

It can also be used as a vehicle to push other products. Such as Skype, MS's streaming music service, MS's TV programs, etc.

Pls read the article again it begins Microsoft has responded to comments made by company founder Bill Gates in which he suggested he'd support the decision to spin-off the Xbox business, explaining he was just voicing his support for new CEO Satya Nadella. It then goes on to show how he feel xbox is integral culminating in the end with "Microsoft is committed to gaming across multiple platforms with Xbox as the centerpiece of our gaming strategy. We remain committed to Xbox and the millions of Xbox fans around the world."

centerpiece sounds pretty integral.

I'm hearing shareholders in the background, they are asking them to sell it off. Can you hear it too?