It was reportedly revealed by Microsoft that its Xbox Live monthly active users have now reached a record 55 million strong. As explained further by the account, the number of clients using Microsoft's Xbox Live monthly subscription has increased 15% from the same quarter last year. Apparently, most of the growth was during the hectic holiday season, wherein Microsoft saw a record sales of its Xbox One console.

Microsoft's Xbox Live platform continues to add more users as the company expands its gaming business across consoles and PC devices. Allegedly, Xbox One was the top-selling console in the U.S. during the second half of 2016, beating out Sony's PlayStation 4. Microsoft supposedly said that the company feels very good about the Xbox Live user growth because it demonstrates strong engagement.

Purportedly, in the most recent quarter it was noted that Microsoft's Xbox software and services revenues were up 17 percent from the same time last year, apparently from continued adoption of digital distribution and a strong game lineup. Seemingly, Xbox Live membership sign-ups and Xbox game sales were up.

But overall gaming revenue declined 3 percent due to lower Xbox console pricing and lower console volume. It was reported that while Microsoft has been discounting the Xbox One, it has also rolled out a new Xbox One S console, a smaller and more advanced version of the original product.

Accordingly, gaming revenues still clocked in nearly 14 percent of Microsoft's total revenue for the quarter, which demonstrates the importance of the company's gaming devices. It is also said that the growth reflects Microsoft's multiple device gaming approach that is made possible with Windows 10.

It is also said that Xbox contributes to the company in other ways. It serves as Microsoft's brand image that the company's employees use internally for motivation: someone walking out of a store with an Xbox console, hugging it.

Tags: microsoft xbox live XBox One xbox console gaming console