Microsoft explains why it isn’t releasing Xbox One sales numbers anymore

Attendees view the Microsoft Corp. Xbox One S gaming console during the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Microsoft Corp. introduced a new, smaller Xbox gaming console for sale in August and announced a powerhouse new device planned for the holiday season next year, ramping up its battle with Sony Corp. to win over hardcore gamers. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

LOS ANGELES: The horse race between competing gaming hardware – PlayStation, Xbox and whatever magic Nintendo is selling – has nearly always been measured by the number of consoles each company sells. 

Even when a company is down it typically releases regular updates noting how many of its systems are out in the wild. But recently that’s changed.