Xbox Game Pass Soars Despite Hardware Dip

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 significant player base. While precise sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, 4 million players represent a considerable achievement, especially given the initial uncertainty surrounding a modern AAA Indiana Jones game.

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% growth in Game Pass PC subscriptions last quarter, establishing a new quarterly revenue record. Cloud gaming saw 140 million hours streamed. These factors contributed to a 2% increase in Xbox content and service revenue.

However, challenges remain. 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. Nevertheless, its ongoing investment in Game Pass seems to be yielding returns. The strong Game Pass PC growth is likely fueled by several major game releases last quarter, 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.