Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

The Wall Street Journal

Microsoft Makes a Risky Xbox Bet

The Wall Street Journal Microsoft's ability to convince more users to pay for the online service will play an important role in the Xbox's profitability. While online gaming is growing in popularity – U.S. revenue is expected to climb to $1.6 billion this year from $1.1 billion in 2005, according to Dallas research firm Park Associates – the concept remains unfamiliar to many users of console machines like the Xbox. And while many of the most popular PC games incorporate online play, such features are often included free of charge. An exception is multiplayer PC games designed for thousands of players, in which publishers typically charge a monthly subscription fee of about $15.

From the article "Microsoft Makes a Risky Xbox Bet," by David Kesmodel.

Previously In The News

Apple’s Siri Gains Traction–For Some Things

But most usage is across a relatively limited set of functions, according to consulting group Parks Associates, which surveyed 482 owners of the iPhone 4S, the only device to carry the service....

Cable operators buff up guides for Internet age

Brett Sappington, director of research at Parks Associates, says the lack of awareness could be caused by the failure of cable TV operators to advertise such services, known as TV Everywhere. After...

Support.com to Present Insights Into Technology Services for Mobile Devices at CONNECTIONS(TM): The Premier Connected Home Conference at CTIA 2013(TM)

Support.com, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based technology services and software that create new revenue streams and improve customer experience, will participate in the panel session, Extendi...

Discovery to Launch 'TestTube' Online Video Network

Brett Sappington, an analyst at Parks Associates, said such investments in the YouTube ecosystem are "a bit of a hedge, because, if that area explodes in growth—and all of the data we have shows th...