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 4 million players. This milestone stands out as a highlight in an otherwise routine earnings report for Microsoft's gaming division. Developed by MachineGames, this latest release has not only earned critical acclaim but also secured multiple awards, showcasing its significant impact in the gaming world. Although specific sales figures are elusive due to its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass, reaching 4 million players is a testament to the game's appeal, especially for a modern, AAA title featuring the iconic adventurer.

We were thoroughly impressed with Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt." The game has also been nominated for prestigious awards such as Game of the Year and Best Xbox game. For a deeper dive into our thoughts, you can read our full review here.

Despite these positive developments, there are areas for improvement. Overall gaming revenue saw a 7% decline, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by 29%. These figures indicate that while Microsoft's focus on Game Pass is yielding results, particularly with the PC platform benefiting from major releases like Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator—all available on Game Pass from day one for Ultimate subscribers—there is still work to be done in the console and hardware sectors.