Microsoft's Q2 earnings call revealed that Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (presumably a typo in the original text, corrected to the actual game title) has attracted 4 million players. This positive development 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 substantial player base. While precise sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players represent a significant achievement, particularly given the initial uncertainty surrounding a modern, AAA Indiana Jones title.
We previously lauded 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 review]
Further Xbox news includes a 30% increase 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% growth in Xbox content and services revenue.
However, challenges persist. 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 investment in Game Pass appears to be yielding positive results, particularly the strong PC subscription growth fueled by recent major releases like 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.
