The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 Delivers A Much-Needed Win

To say that today's showcase had a lot riding on it would be quite the understatement. After the last few weeks of bad press for Xbox, from studio closures to shifting exclusivity strategies and more, many wondered if today's showcase would be able to "right the ship". At this point I'm feeling pretty confident that while some adjustments are yet to be made, these are definitely some big moves in the right direction: the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 was a thrilling event for gamers, promising a diverse lineup of titles from Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, and numerous partners.

Key Highlights from the Showcase

1. Gears of War: E-Day and Doom: The Dark Ages

   • Gears of War: E-Day takes us back to the pivotal Emergence Day, 14 years before the original game. Players will follow war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they face the nightmare of the Locust Horde. The trailer, created with in-game assets in Unreal Engine 5, features a new instrumental version of ‘Mad World’ and promises a visually stunning experience. Expect intense combat, deep storytelling, and an emotional journey when it releases.

   • Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to Doom (2016) and introduces a dark fantasy setting where the unstoppable Doom Slayer battles demonic hordes. Players will experience grounded, hard-hitting combat and use new tools like the Atlan mech and a cybernetic war dragon. Scheduled for a 2025 release, this game promises to blend epic storytelling with relentless action.

2. State of Decay 3, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Perfect Dark, and South of Midnight

   • State of Decay 3 continues the open-world zombie survival saga with an evolving zombie threat and an expanded world. The new trailer hints at brutal combat, cooperative gameplay, and the return of fan-favorite mechanics like permadeath and vehicle combat.

   • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle places players in the shoes of the legendary archaeologist, facing off against sinister forces in a quest to uncover historical mysteries. The new gameplay trailer shows Indy and Gina navigating the treacherous Himalayas and uncovering startling discoveries.

   • Perfect Dark offers a fresh look at Joanna Dark's mission in a near-future world on the brink of collapse. The trailer showcases fluid traversal, close-quarters combat, and a blend of stealth and gunplay, promising an ultimate secret agent experience.

   • South of Midnight by Compulsion Games introduces players to a darkly gorgeous Deep South setting inspired by the Mississippi Delta. The gameplay trailer features Hazel and her companion Catfish facing down the monstrous Two-Toed Tom, an albino alligator. Expect magical weaving powers and a richly atmospheric world.

3. Starfield: Shattered Space and World of Warcraft: The War Within

   • Starfield: Shattered Space is the first major expansion for Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG, exploring the mysterious House Va’ruun. The reveal trailer promises new adventures in the dark reaches of space, with highlights from the game’s latest update, including official mod support and new bounty hunting features.

   • World of Warcraft: The War Within is Blizzard Entertainment’s 10th expansion and the opening chapter of a new story arc. Set to launch on August 26, it promises to weave narrative threads from the past two decades, offering an ambitious and captivating experience. Pre-purchase options include immediate in-game rewards, setting the stage for an epic journey in Azeroth.

Partner Announcements

1. Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Dragon Age: The Veilguard

   • Assassin’s Creed Shadows transports players to 16th Century Japan, featuring two protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai. The gameplay trailer highlights their unique abilities and the game's changing seasons. A full gameplay walkthrough is set for tomorrow during Ubisoft Forward.

   • Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces players to a vibrant world filled with rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities. The new trailer reveals the Veilguard, a team of seven companions with rich backstories. Players will challenge ancient gods and shape their destinies in this expansive RPG.

2. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Atomfall, and Winter Burrow

   • Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater reimagines the classic title with enhanced visuals and sounds using Unreal Engine 5. It retains the original controls and voice lines, offering an immersive experience in a high-stakes espionage thriller.

   • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a reactive turn-based RPG set in a surreal world inspired by France’s La Belle Epoque. Players will embark on a quest to end the Paintress’ cycle of death, battling deadly adversaries and befriending fabled creatures.

   • Atomfall is an open-world survival-action game inspired by a real-world nuclear disaster. Set in post-war Britain, it blends Cold War paranoia, folk horror, and classic British sci-fi elements, offering an immersive and thrilling gameplay experience.

   • Winter Burrow is a cozy woodland survival game where players, as a tiny mouse, search for their lost aunty and restore their childhood burrow. It merges comfy, cozy elements with challenging survival mechanics, set in a charming, snow-coated open world.

New Xbox Hardware

Three new Xbox Series X|S console options were unveiled, providing more choices in design, storage, and pricing. These additions aim to enhance the gaming experience and accommodate a variety of player preferences. The 1TB Series S in Robot White, an all-digital Xbox Series X, and a 2TB Xbox Series X Special Edition in Galaxy Black will be available this holiday season.

Major Reveals and Gameplay Showcases

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

   • The latest addition to the immensely popular Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 6 is set in the early 1990s and follows a mind-bending narrative where players must go rogue. It introduces innovations like Omnimovement, Classic Prestige, and Round-Based Zombies. The game launches on October 25, available on various platforms and day one with Game Pass.

2. Age of Mythology: Retold and Avowed

   • Age of Mythology: Retold combines the best elements of the original game with modern real-time strategy design. The newly premiered trailer revealed gameplay footage and the launch date: September 4, 2024. This title will be available on both PC and console at launch.

   • Avowed takes players to the uncharted wilds of the Living Lands, where they must stop the Dreamscourge. The story trailer introduces Giatta, one of the game’s companions, and highlights the perilous journey ahead. Scheduled for release in 2024, Avowed promises an expedition into a captivating and bizarre unknown.

3. Fable Trailer Series and Gears of War: E-Day

   • The latest Fable trailer features Humphry, a once-great hero forced out of retirement. Developed in collaboration with Eidos Montreal, this installment promises a darker take on heroism and will be released in 2025.

   • Gears of War: E-Day brings players back to the series’ roots with a focus on the Emergence Day event. The announce trailer, created with Unreal Engine 5, offers a visually stunning preview of the game’s intense combat and deep narrative.

Additional Announcements and Updates

1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

   • Launching on November 19, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the most ambitious flight simulator ever. It features a diverse fleet of aircraft, detailed airports, and an immersive representation of Earth. Players can pursue aviation careers, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and VIP charter services.

2. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

   • Life Is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield in a new narrative adventure. Now an artist-in-residence, Max must solve a murder mystery using her evolved power to Shift timelines. The game launches on October 29, with pre-orders available for early access.

3. Mecha Break

   • Mecha Break is a multiplayer mech-based shooter featuring customizable mechs and various game modes. The Closed Beta Test will begin in August 2024, with the full release in 2025. Players can expect intense aerial and ground combat in a futuristic setting.

4. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

   • The new trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl showcases the game’s non-linear storyline, mutants, and archanomalies. Set in an unforgiving landscape, players will navigate a dangerous world where choices matter.

5. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

   • Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike action-RPG set in the late Ming Dynasty. Players, as a pirate warrior afflicted by Ornithropy, will battle grotesque creatures and uncover dark secrets. The game launches day one on Xbox Series X|S.

Updates for Live Games

1. Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

   • Launching on October 8, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred introduces the Spiritborn class and a new jungle region. Players will hunt for Neyrelle and face new dungeons, strongholds, and enemies. Pre-purchase options are available now for immediate rewards.

2. The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road

   • Celebrating a decade of adventures, The Elder Scrolls Online invites players to explore the new Gold Road Chapter. Available on June 18 for Xbox consoles, this chapter introduces the Scribing System and the region of West Weld.

3. Fallout 76: Skyline Valley

   • Fallout 76 expands its world with Skyline Valley, a picturesque region with new locations and challenges. The update includes Vault 63, new public events, and region bosses, launching on June 12.

4. Sea of Thieves: Season 13

   • Sea of Thieves introduces a new world event featuring Captain Flameheart’s flagship. Players can seize the ship, command a skeleton crew, and reap rewards. Season 13 arrives on July 25 as a free update.

5. Starfield Shattered Space

   • Starfield’s first major expansion, Shattered Space, explores House Va’ruun territory. The June Update includes official mod support, new quests, and bounty hunting features. The expansion and update are available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Conclusion

In the midst of a lot of really negative news for Xbox and the industry at large, today’s showcase was an injection of energy and excitement for what lies ahead. With fantastic AAA titles in the pipeline, the Xbox ecosystem looks more appealing than ever.

Indeed, the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase has set a high bar for the future, offering a rich array of games and hardware updates that promise to captivate and engage players worldwide.