In good news to both Microsoft and Nintendo, the two console-makers have posted profitable quarters. In fact, this is Microsoft Entertainment Division’s first ever profitable three-month segment for the current fiscal year’s first quarter. The division encompasses all of the company’s hardware and software gaming endeavors, recording an operating income of $165 million, compared to last year’s loss of $142 million during the same period.
Nintendo’s profits are even more staggering, though theirs is not quarterly but semi-annual. The Japan-based company has posted an operating profit of up to 188 billion yen, compared to 67.1 billion yen the year before. Sales for this period soared from 299 billion yen to 695 billion yen. The company has raised its annual profit outlook to 275 billion yen, up 30 billion yen from its last forecast.
Meanwhile, the Sony camp is grieving over huge losses of approximately 96.7 billion yen ($847 US million) for the past quarter, down 53.2 billion year-on-year, attributed largely to the price point of the PS3 console. Apparently, the console is selling at a price lower than the production cost, according to a statement put out by the company. Sony aims on breaking even or better in its game business in the second half of the business year to March.
The games division didn’t stop Sony from posting an overall quarterly profit across its fully business. Overall, the company reported a profit of 90.5 billion yen, compared to a loss of 20.8 billion yen during the same period last year. It is attributed largely to strong sales of TVs, cameras and camcorders.
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