During today's Q2 investors call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has attracted an impressive 4 million players. This revelation comes as a highlight in an otherwise unremarkable earnings report for Microsoft's gaming division. Developed by MachineGames, this latest release has not only received critical acclaim and multiple awards but has also captured the attention of millions of gamers worldwide. Although precise sales figures remain elusive due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, the player count of 4 million is a testament to the game's success, especially given the uncertainty surrounding what to expect from a modern, AAA Indiana Jones title.

We were thoroughly impressed with the game, describing it as an "irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt." It earned nominations for 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, challenges remain. Overall gaming revenue saw a 7% decline, and Xbox hardware revenue dropped by a significant 29%.

What does this mean for Microsoft? While the company needs to regain ground in the console and hardware market, its focus on Game Pass seems to be yielding positive results. The growth of Game Pass on PC is understandable, especially with last quarter's lineup of 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.