Xbox Game Pass Surges with Indiana Jones, Call of Duty; Hardware Sales Decline

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 milestone highlights a significant achievement for MachineGames' latest release, which has not only received widespread critical acclaim but also secured multiple awards. Despite the challenges in tracking exact sales figures due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, the 4 million player count is remarkable, especially for a modern AAA title featuring the iconic adventurer.

We were thoroughly impressed with the game, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt." It earned nominations for Game of the Year and Best Xbox game, reflecting its high quality and engaging gameplay. For a more in-depth look, you can read our full review here.

Elsewhere in the Xbox ecosystem, Microsoft reported a 30% growth in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, setting a new record for quarterly revenue. Additionally, cloud gaming saw an impressive 140 million hours of streaming, contributing to a 2% increase in Xbox content and service revenue.

However, there are areas where Microsoft needs to focus its efforts. Overall gaming revenue saw a 7% decline, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by 29%. These figures indicate that while the company's investment in Game Pass is yielding positive results, there is still work to be done to regain ground in the console and hardware markets.

The growth of Game Pass on PC aligns well with Xbox's recent lineup of major game releases, 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 underscores Microsoft's commitment to expanding its gaming ecosystem and enhancing value for its subscribers.