During today's Q2 investors call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has attracted an impressive 4 million players. This milestone is a significant highlight in an otherwise routine earnings report for Microsoft's gaming division. Developed by MachineGames, this latest release has not only received critical acclaim but has also secured multiple awards, making it a standout title in the gaming industry. Despite the challenge of tracking exact sales figures due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, reaching 4 million players is a testament to the game's appeal, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding what to expect from a modern, AAA Indiana Jones game.
We were thoroughly impressed with Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt." The game has earned nominations for Game of the Year and Best Xbox game. For a deeper dive into our thoughts, you can read our full review here.
Elsewhere in the Xbox ecosystem, Microsoft reported a 30% growth in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, setting a new record for quarterly revenue. Additionally, cloud gaming saw 140 million hours of streaming, contributing to a 2% increase in Xbox content and service revenue.
However, there are areas where Microsoft needs to focus. Despite the strong performance of Game Pass, overall gaming revenue saw a 7% decline, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by 29%. This indicates that while Microsoft's investment in Game Pass is yielding positive results, there is still work to be done in the console and hardware sectors.
The growth of Game Pass on PC is understandable, given the robust lineup of game releases last quarter, including Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. All these titles were available on Game Pass from day one for Ultimate subscribers, further enhancing the value proposition of the service.
