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 original title was incorrectly stated in the input) has attracted 4 million players. This positive result stands out in an otherwise unremarkable gaming division report. MachineGames' title has received widespread critical praise, 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.

Our own review lauded the game as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," further highlighting its Game of the Year and Best Xbox Game nominations. [Link to full review]

Further Xbox news includes a 30% increase in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, setting a new quarterly revenue record. Cloud gaming saw 140 million hours of streamed gameplay. These factors contributed to a 2% growth in Xbox content and services revenue.

However, challenges remain. Despite exceeding expectations, overall gaming revenue decreased by 7%, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by 29%.

In summary, Microsoft needs to improve its console and hardware performance. Nevertheless, its continued investment in Game Pass is demonstrating positive returns. The strong Game Pass PC growth is likely due to several high-profile releases last quarter, including Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (assuming Black Ops 6 refers to Cold War), and Microsoft Flight Simulator, all available on Game Pass day one for Ultimate subscribers.