Microsoft's Q2 earnings call revealed that Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (the game's actual title) has attracted 4 million players. This positive result stands out in an otherwise unremarkable gaming division report. The game, developed by MachineGames, has received widespread critical acclaim, numerous awards, and now boasts a significant player base. While precise sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players represent a notable achievement, especially given the initial uncertainty surrounding a modern, AAA Indiana Jones title.
Our own review praised the game as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," further highlighting its Game of the Year and Best Xbox Game nominations. [Link to full review]
Further Xbox news includes a 30% growth in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, establishing a new quarterly revenue record. Cloud gaming usage reached 140 million streaming hours. These factors contributed to a 2% increase in Xbox content and service 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. Nevertheless, its ongoing investment in Game Pass seems to be yielding positive returns. The strong Game Pass PC growth is likely fueled by last quarter's major game releases, including Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (assuming "Black Ops 6" refers to this title), and Microsoft Flight Simulator, all available on Game Pass day one for Ultimate subscribers.
