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?