
Microsoft's recent Xbox One strategy continued to pay off for the company through September. The console was once again the best-selling in the United States, beating Sony's PlayStation 4. Industry-tracking firm NPD Group provided the data. The company says this is the third straight month the Xbox One has come out on top. Those three months have coincided with a number of changes in Microsoft's approach to the console. The company has long ditched its ill-fated attempts to make the Xbox One and all-encompassing entertainment box. Since then the focus has been put back on gaming. That does not mean Microsoft has abandoned its wider ambitions. The Xbox One is now a Universal Windows 10 device, supporting a full app ecosystem and deep ties to PC and mobile. That ethos will reach fruition when the ability to pick up and play Xbox titles even on PC reaches full swing. Microsoft also scored a hardware victory this summer. The company rolled out the Xbox One S, a console that for all intents and purposes is a mid-generation refresh. However, Microsoft did it the right way. The machine is 40% smaller, and boasts new features like 4K support and Bluetooth. The console feels like a refresh done the right way. Contrast the Xbox One S with the Sony PS4 Pro and there is a difference. Microsoft's unit feels new and something worth upgrading too. Make no mistake, the PS4 Pro is a beastly console that gets a lot right, but it feels like something is missing and that users are not getting what they were promised. Microsoft sent GamesBeat the following message to say thanks to consumers: “Thanks to our fans, Xbox One was the best-selling console in September in the U.S. for the third month in a row according to NPD Group as well as the best-selling console in September in the U.K. according to GfK Entertainment UK. In addition, Xbox One was the only gen eight console to see year-over-year growth in September in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and many other countries worldwide. This success was driven by our fans and their support for Xbox One S, which is the only console available this holiday with built-in UHD 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming and HDR for gaming and video. We received an incredible response to Forza Horizon 3, the No. 1 first-party title for September in the U.S., Australia, and U.K. according to NPD Group and GfK Entertainment UK. Global engagement on Xbox Live – the fastest, most reliable gaming network – continues to grow and the number of unique multiplayer users increased 57 percent year-over-year. With the blockbuster launch of Gears of War 4 for Xbox One and Windows 10 this week and the upcoming release of Clubs and Looking for Group on Xbox Live alongside the launches of Dead Rising 4, Battlefield 1, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Dishonored 2, Final Fantasy XV, Titanfall 2, and Watch Dogs 2 in the coming months, Xbox is the best place to game this holiday.”