Xbox Live at 46m users as Xbox division sees sales jump 56%

Microsoft has just announced its third-quarter fiscal results for the period ended March 31, 2013, and it was an encouraging period for the Entertainment and Devices Division which houses the Xbox business. Total revenues climbed 56 percent year-over-year to $2.53 billion, while the division enjoyed an operating income of $342 million compared to a net loss last year during the same period of $228 million.

Microsoft highlighted that Xbox Live now has over 46 million members worldwide, which represents an 18 percent increase from the prior year period. In addition, the company noted that Xbox 360 platform revenue in particular increased 55 percent ($641 million) which was "primarily due to the recognition of $380 million of revenue related to the Video Game Deferral and higher Xbox Live revenue." Windows Phone revenue also increased by $259 million, including patent licensing revenue and increased sales of Windows Phone licenses.

Microsoft will be announcing its March Xbox 360 numbers later today in conjunction with The NPD Group's monthly report.