Let me put this simply, something that people have ignored:
Gaming wise, the Xbox has helped by including features like Harddrives instead of memory cards, enhanced online play, and a few good games series. Plus consoles that can be used to bludgeon people to death. Well, not the 360. That'll break faster than a Kia in a Destruction Derby.
Financially for Microsoft, they have lost 7 billion dollars over 7 years. For this lovely entire experiment to be profitable, they need to earn about 8 billion dollars over the next 2 years. It is at this point that financial analysts will see a return on investment.
Nintendo, the oldest though not always wisest current surviving console maker, is making about 1.5 billion in profit this year. Microsoft would require to more than double Nintendo's profitability for 2 straight years to make their project a success. This would be year 4 in the Xbox 360 lifetime, which may mean they are already thinking of the next console, and odds of their profit turning around to that degree seem a bit... low. Then the next console with launch costs, even delayed a year or two, and another blip.
As a gamer, I'm quite glad for the Xbox, as it has left many positives. As a (Very amatuer, unless someone wants to pay me, then I'm pro. leet.) business analyst, I cringe and wonder just how much they value that spot in the family room. Apparently enough to sink billions of dollars with no shown return within 7 years, or concievable return within 15.
See Ya George.
"He did not die - He passed Away"
At least following a comedians own jokes makes his death easier.
