The archaeologist has had a successful career in video games. Disney should take notice.
When gamers play the new Bethesda’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle title, they can choose to view the screen in the standard widescreen format or in an ultra-wide cinematic option that reminds classic adventure films. While this is purely a cosmetic choice, it highlights how deeply the new Indiana Jones game draws from its cinematic roots. This connection is evident not only thematically and aesthetically but also financially.
Mixed reception. Just days before the game’s launch on Game Pass, early reviews from critics were generally positive. Some even claimed it to be the best adventure featuring the archaeologist in three decades. However, dissenting voices argued that a film would’ve been a better medium for the story. Some experts consider it a masterpiece and one of the year’s must-play titles, while others feel that the character’s legacy adds a burden to the experience.
Good vibes. Overall, the sentiment has been favorable. On Metacritic, the game holds an 87 critic score. However, it should be noted that it currently lacks sufficient public ratings because it was just recently released.
Moreover, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle holds additional significance for Microsoft. It’s the company’s first AAA game to already have a PlayStation release as well before launch. This marks the beginning of Microsoft’s strategy to consider any home device as potentially an Xbox, thanks to Game Pass and cloud gaming.
While Microsoft had previously done this with titles like Deathloop, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded, this is the first time the company has announced a game’s multiplatform status at launch.
Raiders of the lost brand. Microsoft isn’t the only company keenly following the journey of the new Indiana Jones adventure. Disney, the owner of Lucasfilm, is particularly interested, too.
The prestige and allure of the franchise have diminished since the release of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989. Almost 20 years passed between that film and the next installment, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which many now consider a significant misstep. Another 15 years went by until the most recent installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which was a total box office flop. It’s estimated to have cost almost $300 million, and it needed to gross $600 million to avoid losing money. In the end, it brought in only $384 million, marking it as one of Disney’s biggest flops since John Carter.
Disney should be cautious. Disney should closely monitor the critic reviews, audience reception, and financial performance of the new Indiana Jones game.
Millions of fans clearly still love the franchise. This is why the MachineGames title has garnered both praise and criticism. It often feels like a compilation of the archaeologist’s greatest hits, which appeals to some fans while frustrating others. Meanwhile, Disney is eager to keep exploring ways to capitalize on the Indiana Jones brand. The question is: How? A careful examination of the strengths of the game will help shape Disney’s future films and series.
The shadow of Star Wars. The Indiana Jones situation echoes what recently happened with Star Wars. Like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the Star Wars: Outlaws game got negative reviews and sold worse than expected. The Lucasfilm franchise is currently facing an even more pronounced crisis than Indiana Jones films. The studio has produced series and video games that explore a variety of paths, tones, styles, and plots. However, none have effectively indicated a clear direction for future films, which is something that’s guided the series’ style for years.
Only time will tell whether Disney has drawn any lessons from the sales downturn of Star Wars: Outlaws. However, the company is likely discussing what’s happening with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and taking notes. In the end, it’s one of its most cherished properties.
Image | Bethesda Game Studios
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