Microsoft CEO Candidate Considering Selling Xbox Brand, Killing Bing

[Gahars]

We're a) on a video game forum, and b) on the internet, so I'd hope you know what the Xbox and Bing are. What you might not know (but maybe could've guessed) is that neither have been very profitable for Microsoft. For a business, that's sort of problematic.

Not to worry, though. With Steve Ballin'-more on the way out, Microsoft is searching for a new CEO. One of the candidates, former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop (great last name or greatest last name?), has big plans if he's placed in charge...

After a brief stint as the head of Microsoft’s business division, responsible for Office and other products, Elop’s return to Microsoft in the CEO position would reportedly involve a push for Office on Android and iOS.

Elop is reportedly considering a strategy shift away from Microsoft’s tradition of Office running primarily on Windows PCs. Bloomberg reports that Elop is formulating "some broad strategic outlines for Microsoft," in what is likely to be part of the interview process for the CEO position. Elop’s potential strategy is said to involve maximizing sales of Office instead of using it to push Windows PC and tablet sales. Microsoft’s Office and server software has been performing well in recent financial results, while Windows continues to struggle alongside a declining PC industry. Although Office has launched for iOS andAndroid, Microsoft could certainly do more to offer complete versions on those rival platforms.

Bloomberg also suggests that Elop is willing to shut down or sell some major Microsoft businesses. Elop would reportedly considering killing off the company’s Bing search engine, while contemplating selling the Xbox business.

The Verge

Damn, he's a straight-shooter with upper management written all over him. How could anyone compete with that? The race is Stephen Elop-sided.

It's hard to imagine Microsoft bailing out on Xbox and Bing, but there's a lot to be gained from such a move. Microsoft could boosts its earnings by 40% without these "distractions", at least according to one analyst. At the end of the day, money is money, and Stephen Elope-with-me-please is clearly in the money business. When you can't Bing It, you have to fling it.

Of course, there's no guarantee that he'll become CEO or actually go through with such a move, but it's still fascinating to consider. It might sound fruity, but that's why you need a guy like Stephen Cant-elop.

 

[UltraMew]

Sell the Xbox brand to Nintendo

 

[GameWinner]

Sell the Xbox brand to Nintendo

I swear, this forum wants Nintendo to buy everything.

 

[EZ-Megaman]

I swear, this forum wants Nintendo to buy everything.

I'm pretty certain he wasn't serious...

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Sell the Xbox brand to Sega, get Dreamcast 2 Dreambox 2 ;O;

PLEASE

 

[Arras]

Even if they did, I'm guessing it would happen only after the Xbone is kinda dead. They spent all the money on R&D already, it makes no sense to cut support before it even had a chance to earn them money.

 

[Blaze163]

I'd understand bailing on Bing, I don;t use it or know anyone who does, but I'd have thought the Xbox brand was pretty profitable to them. Are they really losing that much money on it?

 

[DinohScene]

Honestly, other then Xbox users on the 360 and IE users, who uses Bing anyway?

I kinda want to be cryogenically suspended and woken up 10 years into the future.
I'm kinda interested to see how things have turned out since every company is getting desperate these days

 

[Taleweaver]

Bing...that's like google for those who don't know how to set a search engine or install a browser, right? Damn right to kill it.


But giving up on xbox is...not a smart move to reveal publicly at this point. Ideally, you want this sort of thing to remain hidden and top secret until A) the first sales figures of the one come in, and B) you've got someone who can and is serious about buying it.

Because honestly...who WOULD buy xbox? Nintendo would at best buy some technology. Sony would laugh them out of the room. EA and Ubisoft probably can't afford it, and if they would, they would somehow fuck things up for other developers. A year ago, Valve would be the main candidate. But they're probably way too far into getting everything ready for steam machines to even consider it. And other majors (AMD, intel, samsung, nvidia, ...)...I think they'll wait to see how things will turn out.


Still...I've got to admit I like this sort of decisions. Office on android and iOS should really be a focus for them (smartphones and tablets are taking over the business floor, and microsoft should really be there for them if they start replacing the common laptops and desktop pc's).

 

[Zaide]

Honestly, other then Xbox users on the 360 and IE users, who uses Bing anyway?

Seriously. I remember doing the whole "bing quiz" where it shows you results of a search from google and bing and you have to choose which one you like better without knowing which is which, and it straight up told me that I like google better. Bing sucks.

 

[The Catboy]

I don't think that many people used Bing to begin with and I doubt it would be very profitable to anyone.
As for the Xbox, I do recall reading somewhere that M$ was actually losing money on making the 360, which is pretty bad actually if that's true. Not to mention the mixed results the Xbox ONE is getting, it might actually be a wise business idea to sell the brand before it causes anymore damages to the overall company.

 

[shakirmoledina]

"considering" is the key word there.

bing, yes do sell it although it has potential, just not worth fighting for.

they want to channel their energy into works they know they can develop and profit from.

 

[FAST6191]

I can see both not making the most money but as far as I can see both of them are necessary as platforms of a sort for Microsoft to put stuff out onto. On the other hand if they are willing to pull the trigger on DirectX themselves I am probably not likely to shed a tear.

On the other hand they all seem to want to follow IBM and become a business type thing (crippling technet being one of the first steps).

 

[the_randomizer]

Good, Bing was useless except to those who stuck with IE as far as I'm concerned, but the Xbox brand talking about being sold is baffling.

Sell the Xbox brand to Nintendo

Hasn't Nintendo suffered enough?

 

[MushGuy]

Sell the Xbox brand to Nintendo

If Nintendo buys the XBox, does it mean they will buy Rare back, too? Hmmm.

 

[the_randomizer]

If Nintendo buys the XBox, does it mean they will buy Rare back, too? Hmmm.

Rare is dead, it's not the same Rare we all loved and cared about. They haven't made a good game in a long time.

 

[MushGuy]

Rare is dead, it's not the same Rare we all loved and cared about. They haven't made a good game in a long time.

Yeah, you're right. What's the use now?

 

[Maxternal]

Rare is dead, it's not the same Rare we all loved and cared about. They haven't made a good game in a long time.

But ... but ... but ... I want my OLD Rare back. Those were the good old days.
Oh well, *takes off nostalgia glasses*

 

[Blaze163]

What if Sony bought the Xbox brand and had near total dominance over the market? With only the failing WiiU for competition. Would this be a good or bad thing? Discuss.

 

[Maxternal]

What if Sony bought the Xbox brand and had near total dominance over the market? With only the failing WiiU for competition. Would this be a good or bad thing? Discuss.

But what would they call it ... the PSXBox4 One? Doesn't exactly roll off your tongue.