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 (note: the game's title has been corrected for accuracy) has attracted 4 million players. This positive result stands out in an otherwise unremarkable gaming division report. The title, developed by MachineGames, has received widespread critical acclaim, numerous awards, and now boasts a substantial player base. While precise sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players represent a significant achievement, especially given the initial uncertainty surrounding a modern, AAA Indiana Jones game.

We highly praised the game in our review, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," and nominated it for Game of the Year and Best Xbox Game. [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 saw 140 million hours streamed. These factors contributed to a 2% increase 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 showing positive returns. The strong PC Game Pass 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.