Xbox Game Pass Records Growth After Indiana Jones, Call of Duty, but Hardware Sales Drop

Microsoft's Q2 earnings call revealed that Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (the game's actual title, not "The Great Circle") has attracted 4 million players. This positive development stands out in an otherwise unremarkable gaming division report. MachineGames' title has received critical praise, numerous awards, and now boasts a substantial player base. While precise sales figures are unavailable due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players represent significant success, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding a modern, AAA Indiana Jones game.

We lauded the game in our own review, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," and nominating it for Game of the Year and Best Xbox Game. [Link to full review].

Further Xbox news includes a 30% increase in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, setting a new quarterly revenue record. Cloud gaming saw 140 million hours streamed. These factors contributed to a 2% growth in Xbox content and services revenue.

However, challenges remain. Despite exceeding expectations, overall gaming revenue decreased by 7%, and Xbox hardware revenue fell by 29%.

In summary, Microsoft needs to improve its console and hardware performance, but its investment in Game Pass is yielding positive results. The strong Game Pass PC growth is likely due to several high-profile releases last quarter, including Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, all available on Game Pass day one for Ultimate subscribers.