Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced his retirement within the next year on Friday.
Microsoft has endured some failures and embarassments during Ballmer's tenure as Microsoft CEO, from Windows Vista to Zune to Windows 8 and more. Then there are all the Xbox One policy reversals, including Microsoft's stance on used games, DRM and more. With this in mind, it's simple to see why its so easy and fashionable to bash both Microsoft and Steve Ballmer for every misstep they make.
To be fair though, under Steve Ballmer, Microsoft has become a powerhouse in the gaming industry. The Xbox and Xbox One were and are massive successes. The Xbox sold over 24.6 million units and the Xbox One has sold over 78.1 million units according to VGChartz.
What's more, the Xbox 360 has sold just half a million less units than its main competitor, the PlayStation 3. In fact, the Xbox 360 is still selling well despite its age. As of last month, the Xbox 360 continued a 30-month streak as the top selling video game console in the U.S..
Ballmer will still be CEO when the Xbox One launches this November, assuming that Microsoft doesn't announce an Xbox One release date delay. Considering that Microsoft has already announced Xbox One delays in Europe, we wouldn't be surprised if they announced an Xbox One delay for the U.S. or any other countries as well.
So what does Ballmer's impending departure mean for the Xbox One now that Steve Ballmer has announced his retirement? Based on the sales history of the Xbox and Xbox 360, the Xbox One will likely be a huge success as well, despite the fact that both Microsoft and Steve Ballmer has often stumbled since Ballmer's ascension to Microsoft's throne. Though its fashionable to tear apart Steve Ballmer for Microsoft's multiple failures in recent years, the embattled CEO does deserve credit for the success of the Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live and related products and services.
That's not to say that Steve Ballmer deserves all of the credit for the success of the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. A lot of credit has to go to Microsoft's managers, engineeers, developers, testers and anyone else who had a hand in the conception of the above products. What we're saying is that if you're going to bash Steve Ballmer for Windows Vista, Zune, Windows 8 and other gaffes, you have to also give Ballmer credit for the successes that Microsoft has enjoyed while he has been at the helm.
What do you think? What do you think of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer retiring? Sound off in the comments below.
Steve Ballmer Retires, What Does This Mean For Xbox One?
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