What does it take for something to become a financial success you might be asking? Just to actually turn a profit? Or to make big bucks? Either way the X360 will do both.
First I'll give you the figures.
From July 1st 2004 (17 months before the X360's launch, FY 2004 likely included research) to June 30th 2007, the EDD made a loss of $3,738,000,000. This included the famed $1b set aside for RROD, and the losses from the X360 (as well as some from the original Xbox)
From July 1st 2007 to December 21st 2011, the EDD has made a profit of $3,356,000,000. This puts the division at a $382m loss since July 1st 2004.
Of course as I and many others have repeated over the years, the EDD became more complex in recent years, including the Kin, Windows Phone, and other smaller Microsoft Entertainment and Devices ventures. It is however largely agreed on (with facts to back it up) that nothing other than the X360 eco system in the EDD has made a sound profit, if at all. Take Kin for example, it lost as much as $240m for Microsoft, not including the $500m it cost Microsoft to buy Danger, and all the reasearch development.
It's likely the X360 began turning Microsoft a profit sometime last year.
Having made over $500m profit this Q in the EDD, profits don't seem to be fluctuating either way year over year lately, so it's a safe bet they're looking at another $1.9b profit from the EDD before the Q the 720 will supposively launch (Q4 2013). Of course 720 development costs will eat into that so it might be much lower, and even make a loss if they make a loss on units at launch, this doesn't stop the 360 from continuing to profit itself though, just the division. On the flip side, 360 should continue to sell into 720's early life and make a profit.
Overall the 360 venture could make Microsoft anywhere from $2.5 - $5b, or beyond. Just my rough estimates of course.
