Xbox Game Pass Records Growth After Indiana Jones, Call of Duty, but Hardware Sales Drop

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced during today's Q2 investor call that Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny has attracted 4 million players. This positive development stands out in an otherwise unremarkable earnings report for the gaming division. MachineGames' latest title has received critical acclaim, multiple awards, and now boasts millions of players. While precise sales figures remain elusive due to its availability on Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players is a significant achievement, especially considering the initial uncertainty surrounding a modern, AAA Indiana Jones game.

We wholeheartedly enjoyed the game, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt," and nominating it for Game of the Year and Best Xbox Game. Read our full review here.

Elsewhere in the Xbox ecosystem, Microsoft reported a 30% increase in Game Pass PC subscribers last quarter, setting 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 remain. Despite exceeding expectations, overall gaming revenue declined by 7%, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by 29%.

In summary, Microsoft still faces hurdles in the console and hardware market, but its ongoing investment in Game Pass appears to be yielding positive results. The strong Game Pass PC growth is unsurprising, given Xbox's recent release of major titles 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.