Indiana Jones has done what not many thought possible: "Indiana Jones and The Great Circle" is selling faster on PlayStation than on Steam - and even faster than on Xbox itself. This is not only a remarkable success for the game, but above all a clear signal for Microsoft's new multiplatform strategy: the future of Xbox no longer lies exclusively in its own console - but in opening up to the competition.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" has also been available on PS5 since April 17. It was released just four months after the original launch on Xbox and PC - a pace that Xbox has rarely shown with its first-party titles to date. The figures speak for themselves: over 117,000 sales on PS5 in the first six days, compared to 91,000 on Steam in the same period after launch. That's a sales increase of around 28 percent - even though the hype train had already left the station at that point. This data has Alinea Analytics determined.
Uncharted territory - Why PS5 gamers are going for Indiana Jones
The reasons for the PS5's success are obvious. Anyone who plays Indiana Jones has a very specific type of game in mind: cinematic action-adventures with a focus on story, atmosphere and iconic characters. Exactly what Naughty Dogs Uncharted-series on PlayStation for over a decade and is now almost completely neglected by Sony. So it's no wonder that, according to data, almost 80 % of indy gamers have also played the "Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection".
But there's more: Tomb Raider, Spider-Man 2, Arkham Knight, Jedi: Survivor - all titles with a strong story, distinctive main characters and a clear focus on single-player experiences. The overlap with Indiana Jones is obvious. Xbox has therefore not only released a game, but also brought an IP to a market that is literally craving this type of game - without any Live Service ballast or FOMO monetics like in "Suicide Squad" or "Gotham Knights".
Indiana Jones as a blueprint for Xbox's future
For Xbox, this success means two things. Firstly: Yes, Game Pass brings reach - over 5 million players have "Indiana Jones and The Great Circle" on Xbox, most of them via the subscription. But secondly, this reach can be better monetized on other platforms. Full-price sales on PS5 beat the subscription model in terms of revenue - especially if the game doesn't offer strong long-term loyalty anyway.
Xbox is still officially committed to exclusive releases. But with every month it becomes clearer: the strategy of small steps - a release here, a port there - is heading towards a clear goal. Day-one releases on PlayStation are coming. Anything else would be economic suicide. Indiana Jones was the test balloon - and the results are clear - "Forza Horizon 5" should in view of the first reviews.
The big rethink: from platform provider to content supplier
Microsoft's new role is that of content king. Console, PC or PlayStation? It doesn't matter. The main thing is that the games sell - and they obviously do better on the platform with the largest action-adventure fan base. This is not a defeat, but a clever evolution. Instead of getting caught up in the console war, Xbox delivers games that work on every platform - and earns money with every sale.
And while PlayStation gamers are looking forward to another cinematic adventure, Redmond is probably already thinking about the next step: Gears of War? Hellblade 2? Halo on the PS5? No longer out of the question. Because Indiana Jones shows that borders have become permeable - and that Xbox is happy to send its heroes on journeys if the treasure behind them is worthwhile.
Uncharted has to dress warmly
Uncharted was long considered the measure of all things when it came to cinematic adventures on the PlayStation. But now a certain archaeologist is throwing his iconic hat into the ring - and is being welcomed with open arms. While Sony seems to be leaving the field without a fight, preferring to lose itself in identity-political self-discovery trips, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" delivers exactly what many gamers are secretly wishing for: real heroes, tangible adventures, pointed action. No shaven-headed missionaries with a trauma backstory, but a tough guy with a whip, charm and a clear goal, to put it bluntly. This game is not only strong, it's also a statement: Xbox can deliver as a third-party provider - if the timing, platform and gameplay are right.
Who knows: maybe Nathan Drake and Indy will both be at the start next time - on the same platform, at the same time. In any case, the players wouldn't mind.
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