Since it hit the shelves in December 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has captured the attention of over four million gamers. Drawing inspiration from the iconic film series, this game from MachineGames has captivated audiences with its engaging narrative and adventurous spirit, drawing ever more curious fans to take the plunge into its world.
The storyline unfolds between the events of the movies Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and The Last Crusade (1989), allowing players to join the legendary archaeologist as he battles against a sinister group seeking to unleash a formidable and dangerous power. Released initially for PC and Xbox Series X/S on December 9, 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers right from the start. This accessibility has allowed countless players to dive into the action on day one. As the first Indiana Jones video game since 2011, it has remained a hot topic well into the new year, enticing a record-breaking number of players to don the fedora and whip of the beloved adventurer.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared that the game has been played by more than four million people as of the latest earnings report. Notably, this success has contributed to a new revenue milestone for Game Pass, which saw over a 30% increase in its PC subscriber base, thanks in large part to popular titles like Indiana Jones and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. In December 2024, Microsoft outperformed all other video game publishers, raking in over $465 million and pushing EA to a second-place finish.
Excitement about the player count isn’t likely to wane, especially with the announcement that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will make its debut on the PS5 in the first half of 2025. Though initially thought to be exclusive to PC and Xbox, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer clarified in August 2024 that making the game available on PS5 was a strategic business move aimed at promoting a multi-platform approach. This, according to Spencer, is projected to enhance the brand’s reach and foster the development of “stronger” games.
In light of its rapid success, there’s mounting speculation that Disney is interested in seeing more Indiana Jones games from MachineGames. Late in 2024, a developer’s LinkedIn post hinted at the possibility of multiple projects being underway at the Swedish studio, although no formal announcements have been made. The gaming community is buzzing with theories, including the possibility that MachineGames could be revisiting the Wolfenstein franchise, though official confirmation on this is still pending.
Set amid one of history’s intriguing mysteries, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers a first-person, single-player adventure that brings players back to 1937. Against a backdrop of looming threats pursuing the secrets of the mythical Great Circle, players step into Indiana Jones’s iconic role, battling to thwart evil plans in a cinematic gaming experience crafted by the acclaimed creators behind the Wolfenstein series, under the guidance of Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.
