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 news comes as a highlight in an otherwise routine earnings report for Microsoft's gaming division. Developed by MachineGames, this latest release has not only earned critical acclaim but also secured multiple awards, making it a standout title in the gaming industry. Despite the challenge in determining exact sales figures due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, reaching 4 million players is a significant achievement, especially for a modern, AAA Indiana Jones game that many were unsure about.
We thoroughly enjoyed Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt." The game has also been nominated for Game of the Year and Best Xbox game. For a more detailed analysis, you can read our full review here.
In other Xbox-related news, Microsoft reported that Game Pass PC experienced a 30% growth last quarter, setting a new quarterly revenue record. Additionally, cloud gaming saw a significant increase, with 140 million hours of streaming logged. These achievements contributed to a 2% rise in Xbox content and service revenue.
However, there are areas where Microsoft needs to focus its efforts. Despite the positive Game Pass figures, overall gaming revenue saw a decline of 7%, 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 can be attributed to a robust lineup of major game releases last quarter, including Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, all of which were available on Game Pass from day one for Ultimate subscribers. This strategy continues to drive engagement and revenue for Microsoft's gaming division.
