48 million people are using Xbox Live

Microsoft may no longer be reporting sales figures for its console hardware, but the firm has revealed that its monthly users number on Xbox Live has reached 48 million.

The company announced this information in its Q2 financial report. This represents a 30 per cent yearly growth in its online user base across both its Xbox console and PC.

In an investor call, Microsoft boss Satya Nadella also claimed that on December 28th, there were more gamers using Xbox Live than any other day in Xbox history.

The firm also reports that its gaming revenue grew by nine per cent (constant currency), while video games revenue shot up 57 (constant currency) due to sales of Halo 5: Guardians and Minecraft.

Meanwhile, hardware revenue dipped – something CFO and EVP Amy E. Hood blames on a decrease in Xbox 360 console sales.

And while Xbox is no longer reporting hardware figures for its Xbox consoles, it does appear that EA revealed the Xbox One’s install base during an investor call. An answer from EA CFO Blake Jorgensen puts the console’s unit sales in the region of 19 million.

Overall, Microsoft posted GAAP revenue of $23.8bn, a ten per cent dip year-on-year.

It was a strong holiday season for Microsoft highlighted by Surface and Xbox,” said Microsoft COO Kevin Turner.

Our commercial business executed well as our sales teams and partners helped customers realise the value of Microsoft’s cloud technologies across Azure, Office 365 and CRM Online.”