Indy's Secret Scroll: Is This DLC a Magic Trick for GOTY Glory?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Turns out *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*'s new DLC isn't just more adventure; it's a cunning, 'Bear'-inspired strategic play to snag some long-overdue Game of the Year recognition for a game that probably deserved it all along.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've accidentally mixed up your potions, and suddenly, something totally unexpected (and kinda brilliant) happens? That's the vibe I'm getting from the latest news swirling around *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*. It seems like MachineGames and Xbox aren't just dropping a new adventure; they're playing a bloody clever long game for some serious Game of the Year recognition.
Next month, specifically September 4th, we're getting *The Order of Giants*, a new chunk of story that whisks our favourite fedora-wearing archaeologist back to Rome. It sounds substantial, diving deeper into the mystical Nephilim Order. On the surface, a few months after release for a big DLC isn't exactly groundbreaking – think *Alan Wake 2*'s *Night Springs* or the epic waits for *Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree* and *Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty*. Standard stuff, you might reckon.
But here's where my wizarding senses started tingling, mate. *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* has had a trajectory wilder than a rogue spell. Originally hitting Xbox and Game Pass in December 2024, Microsoft then announced it was going multi-platform – PS5 in April 2025, and even a Switch 2 version planned for 2026. Talk about spreading your magical dust far and wide! Omnipresence is great for eyeballs, sure, but it rarely translates to a trophy cabinet, does it?
And that's precisely why this September DLC drop has me thinking less about ancient artefacts and more about... FX's *The Bear*. Yeah, you heard me. Stay with me on this, because it's a bit of a mind-bender.
When *The Great Circle* first landed, reviews were glowing, calling it a cracking adventure. But there was this consistent little whisper, a collective groan from critics and players alike: "If only we'd played this in time for Game of the Year!" See, Microsoft’s decision to launch it on December 9th meant it made a huge splash on Game Pass, but it completely missed most outlets' GOTY consideration windows. The Game Awards, for example, wraps up its voting in November. So, a December release technically means it's considered for the *following* year's awards. Which means Indy still has a shot for 2025, if anyone remembers, eh?
Now, here's the genius part. *The Order of Giants* is *also* technically a 2025 GOTY contender. The Game Awards clarified last year that DLC, like *Shadow of the Erdtree*, is eligible. But let's be fair dinkum, any discerning voter is probably going to consider the *entire* *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* package – main game and expansions – when they cast their ballot. So, dropping this new adventure in September isn't just giving us more Indy; it's giving the *whole game* a much-needed, well-timed bump right in the heart of a competitive awards season.
Is this timing *that* calculated? Given that Xbox Game Studios lead Matt Booty has openly talked about how Game Pass needs awards to fuel its allure and success, it sure as heck feels strategic. It's a move you see more often in TV and film, not usually in our wild gaming landscape. And this is where *The Bear* comes in.
For those who haven't dived into the stressful, brilliant world of *The Bear*, it's an awards darling. And a big part of its success, beyond its undeniable quality, is its release strategy. Each season drops right after Emmy ballots are cast but before nominations are announced. The result? Everyone's still buzzing about the latest season's incredible episodes – the ones that aren't even eligible *yet* – while voting on the *previous* season. It's a bizarre, calendar-bending trick that works a treat, ensuring the show stays front-of-mind.
Very few games can actually pull off this kind of stunt, mind you. You need a narrative-driven game that's got legs for expansion, where additional content feels like a natural progression rather than a tacked-on extra. And *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* – with its character performances and mission structures – fits the bill perfectly. Discussions for this DLC were apparently happening even before the main game launched last year.
So, Microsoft isn't just making more content; they're cleverly weaponizing it. *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* doesn't *need* a GOTY award to be considered great, not by a long shot. But in this era of Too Many Games, where every title is fighting for air, and especially for a game that needs to sell across multiple consoles and make Game Pass look irresistible, breaking through the noise is paramount. A great DLC can do that. A great DLC, perfectly timed to remind GOTY voters just how good the core game was, does it even better. It’s a magic trick for visibility, and honestly, a pretty impressive spell to cast. Reckon it just might work, too.
Tags: Indiana Jones, GOTY Race, Gaming Industry, Xbox Game Pass, DLC
Original article: Polygon