i dont want the ps3 to get a price cut because i dont wan tto have to talk to a bunch of cheap skates on psn

MICROSOFT CORPORATION

I believe this is as specific as M$ gets, and this in no way indicates how the games division is doing. 

that.

Its very likely that the price cut corresponds the new Jasper chip, which will be smaller and smaller chips correspond directly to lower manufacturing costs.  Microsoft's other big price-cut also corresponded roughly to the introduction of the falcon chip (which was then smaller and less expensive than the zephyr chip).  If this is the case, then all Microsoft is doing is keeping its profit margin roughly steady.

Oh, so since Microsoft doesn't have a separate division just for games, we don't count it?

That's fair.

Well considering all of the other things in the division there is no way of telling what is generating what revenue and what is generating operating loss.  Not sure how fairness comes into play.  Fair to who?  Is this a competition?

So because they don't differentiate between, say, the Xbox and the Zune in their financial report, we assume whatever we want?

That's fair.

well, why hide it? unless....

Unless it is irrelevant to anyone outside of the company.  I do not remember reading any articles about people miffed that M$ doesn't provide a more detailed breakdown of their financials.  I guess they did it so forum analysts can infer things.

You're right! It's because they want to win the internetz!