Microsoft's Q2 earnings call revealed that Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (note: the game's title is slightly different from the provided text) 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 ourselves lauded the game, 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% increase in Game Pass PC subscribers last quarter, establishing a new quarterly revenue record. Cloud gaming usage reached 140 million streaming hours. 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. However, its ongoing investment in Game Pass is demonstrating positive returns. The strong Game Pass PC growth is likely attributed to last quarter's major game releases, 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.
