Back in October, it was reported that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console had managed to sell over 70 million units and that it was the US’s number 1 console for 20 months in a row. With numbers like that, it would suggest that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console is doing pretty well for itself, which is why we found it odd that an analyst have come forward and basically predicted the doom of the Xbox brand.
According to a recent article on Forbes, analyst Adam Hartung predicts that within the next three years, Microsoft is expected to conduct a series of layoffs with the Xbox brand being sold to a third-party, even naming companies such as Sony or Barnes & Noble as possible buyers! According to Hartung, he claims that Microsoft has been unable to profit from the Xbox brand and that eventually it will prove to be too distracting for Microsoft as they continue keeping their attention on the Windows brand while combating mobile platforms such as iOS with Windows Phone.
He ends his post rather negatively, claiming, “Game over. Ballmer loses. And if you keep your money invested in Microsoft it will disappear along with the company.” What do you guys think? Is it remotely possible that Microsoft would sell off their Xbox brand?