During today's Q2 investors call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has captivated 4 million players. In an otherwise steady earnings report for its gaming division, MachineGames' latest release stands out as a shining star, receiving critical acclaim, numerous awards, and now a significant player base. While exact sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, reaching 4 million players is a testament to the game's appeal, especially given the uncertainty surrounding what to expect from a modern, AAA Indiana Jones title.
We were thoroughly impressed, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," and it earned nominations for Game of the Year and Best Xbox game. You can delve into our detailed 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 an impressive 140 million hours of streaming, contributing to a 2% increase in Xbox content and service revenue.However, challenges persist. Despite the robust performance of Game Pass, overall gaming revenue dropped by 7%, and Xbox hardware revenue saw a significant decline of 29%.
What does this signify? Microsoft has room for improvement in the console and hardware sectors, but its strategic focus on Game Pass is clearly yielding positive results. The growth of Game Pass on PC aligns with the release of major titles last quarter, including Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, all of which were available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers from day one.
