The video features a mix of the different kinds of gameplay that players will get to engage with, from sneaking around through zombie-infested wrecks to scavenging for resources in dilapidated buildings. The early minutes of the video focus largely on showing off just how extensive the zombie infestation has gotten, with spore-spewing pustules.

Menard then comes on-screen to explain that the gameplay is from an incredibly early build of State of Decay 3, which means that there will be plenty of issues to be noticed all over the place, ranging from performance hitches to strange behaviours with player and enemy hitboxes.

Fans of State of Decay 2 will be happy to find that much of the survival-centric gameplay will return in State of Decay 3, including gameplay aspects like needing to repair your vehicle from spare parts that you might have found while exploring. The title will also seemingly retain its predecessor’s free-form player exploration, where it is left completely up to the player to figure out where they want to go next and how they might want to tackle the ever-growing zombie threat.

When it comes to dealing with zombies, stealth and melee skills will continue to play a major role, since ammunition for guns will be rare resources until the player becomes capable of creating their own ammo.

Further in the video, we also get to take a look at Menard taking on a zone with a Plague Heart, leading to intense action sequences with plenty of regular and special zombies, all while the player had to deal with their own dwindling resources.

While State of Decay 3 already seems quite a bit more polished than State of Decay 2 was at launch, the fact that the footage is from an early build of the game is quite evident. Throughout the video, we spotted things like some lighting effects not showing, leading to flat textures due to a lack of shadows.

Despite this, however, the video does a good job of showcasing what Windows Central’s Jez Corden meant earlier this month when he noted that Undead Labs “really, really nailed the ‘AAA’ feel that was absent from State of Decay 2.” Despite it being an early build, the game looked quite smooth to play. And while we didn’t get to see any multiplayer gameplay, the co-op experience has also likely been tightened up to give players more options and reasons to team up together.

State of Decay 3 is being developed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release in 2027. Let’s just hope that Undead Labs isn’t hit by the layoffs that are reportedly going to hit the Xbox division in July.

Along with the various ways players can take on hordes of zombies throughout State of Decay 3, like homemade traps rigged to bombs that can take out massive groups, the trailer also showcases how the zombies are going to be much more dangerous this time around. As the narrator notes, the dead aren’t just wandering around anymore; they have started actively hunting for survivors.

This indicates that, rather than focusing on purely building out their base by getting their hands on supplies like in the earlier State of Decay titles, State of Decay 3 will instead force players to be more proactive in taking out zombie nests to ensure that hunting packs don’t get too close to survivor camps.

The trailer also indicates that State of Decay 3 will have even stronger support for co-op multiplayer, rather than the simplistic system that we had last seen in State of Decay 2. The protagonist often seems to be accompanied by a couple of other characters that seemingly behave in more intelligent ways than NPC-controlled characters would.

State of Decay 3 is slated for a 2027 release, and will be coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. As is the case with titles made by studios under the XBOX Game Studios banner, State of Decay 3 will also be available through Game Pass.

According to Corden’s report, State of Decay 3 has progressed far along in development that it is undergoing private alpha testing with parts of the franchise’s community. Along with this, he has also indicated that the title will be well polished, especially when compared to State of Decay 2.

“It’s almost certain we’ll see State of Decay 3 at the showcase too, given that it’s already in private alpha testing with a small subset of the community alongside some YouTubers,” wrote Corden. “And from what I’ve heard … it sounds like Undead Labs really, really nailed the ‘AAA’ feel that was absent from State of Decay 2.”

If you’ve been wondering why State of Decay 3 has been taking so long to develop, studio head Philip Holt revealed back in April that, back when the announcement trailer was released, the game only really existed as a Word document.

“So that trailer – there really wasn’t a game or game team when we were working on that trailer, like, it was so early,” he said in an interview. “You know, the game was in a Word document. It was really the very beginnings of software.”

The trailer itself was pre-rendered, created completely by Blur, and was meant to be a way for Undead Labs to show its vision for what it wanted State of Decay 3 to be.

As for other development teams part of XBOX Game Studios, Corden doesn’t believe that we will see much in the way of announcements from studios like Rare, Obsidian, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, or Double Fine. He did, however, note that Ninja Theory and Double Fine have been working on projects described as “more ambitious” than their recent outings – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and Kiln, respectively. However, these projects are still quite early in development, and it is unlikely that either studio will be unveiling it just yet.

Similarly, Blizzard is also expected to sit the June 7th showcase out, since it tends to unveil its major projects during its own yearly event – BlizzCon. Among these is expected to be a shooter based on the StarCraft universe, which rumors have indicated will be closer in visual style to StarCraft 2’s cinematics than Overwatch’s more stylized look.

As for other projects that might be unveiled at the showcase, Corden believes that we might finally get to see what Toys for Bob has been working on – a project that is rumored to be a brand-new entry in the Spyro franchise. InXile is also expected to show off more of its in-development game, Clockwork Revolution.

On the hardware side of things, while Project Helix is unlikely to make an appearance at the June 7th Xbox Showcase, recent leaks have indicated that Microsoft might be getting closer to finally unveiling its rumored third iteration of the Xbox Elite Controller.

Following State of Play, it’s the Summer of Gaming with one major showcase after another, starting with the Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. It’s followed by the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on June 6th and a double feature on June 7th with the Xbox Games Showcase and PC Gaming Show. There’s also the possibility of a new Nintendo Direct to outline what’s coming this year (and potentially beyond), but here are our picks for some of the biggest announcements that you could see, and it all begins with the return of a beloved franchise…

Gears of War: E-Day Release Date

Say what you will about XBOX, all caps or not, they know that fans are hungry for more Gears of War. Hence, the dedicated Direct for E-Day will feature its first-ever gameplay and other details. Since it’s allegedly out in the second half of 2026, all eyes are on The Coalition to finally announce a release date, which is looking to be September based on recently announced sponsorships. Either way, it’s been far too long without the king of cover-based shooters, and we’re looking forward to beginning the fight anew.

Fable’s “Major New Look”

Now, this one is interesting, especially since XBOX has already confirmed a delay to February 2027. So what could this “major new look” hold? Perhaps a walkthrough of a quest? The return of a beloved character? Showcasing the extent of consequences that are possible with increasingly hilarious results? It may end up just showcasing another well-known British actor in the game, but hey, we’ll take it if there’s solid gameplay.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Date

Halo Studios has been rather mum on this remake, which is odd for several reasons. Yes, it recently confirmed there’s no in-game store, but… that’s pretty much it. There’s been no new gameplay since its reveal at the last Halo World Championship, and it’s reportedly launching next month. Will marketing kick into overdrive after the showcase? Time will tell, but from every angle, it seems fans won’t have to wait long to go hands-on.

Phantom Blade Zero Gets New Trailer

Launching in September, being in the “intense, final stages of development” according to the developer, only one other big showcase until its launch – if ever there was a time to start marketing for Phantom Blade Zero, it would be at Summer Game Fest. As always, the question of what could be showcased always pops up – obviously, you want to get the people excited without spoiling too much. Alternatively, if S-Game wanted to drop that demo promised long ago, next week wouldn’t be the worst occasion to do so.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 3

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has said that marketing won’t begin until Summer, clarifying that it won’t be for another few weeks. However, it doesn’t exclude the possibility of a new trailer, and it certainly doesn’t stop Rockstar from opening pre-orders. Could it stop short of the latter and release a new teaser, hyping up a reveal in the coming weeks? Sure. Does it need to do it at any of the upcoming showcases? Probably not, but it would be cool. Either way, expect to hear a lot more about the title this month, even if it’s when you least expect it.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Release Date

We’ve seen more than enough gameplay, know more than enough the story – so if the long-awaited Onimusha revival doesn’t get a launch date at some point in the coming days, I may lose it. Granted, the developer could always pull the patented, “Tune in to the Online Special Program later in June for more,” but like Pragmata at last year’s The Game Awards, it’s probably just going to cut through the noise and announce a date with pre-orders.

Monster Hunter Wilds Expansion Reveal

Now this is a classic example of potentially debuting a trailer and revealing more information later. Monster Hunter Wilds’ expansion is confirmed to receive more details this Summer, and given the franchise’s history at Keighley’s shows, a title reveal seems very likely. We could then see a proper Monster Hunter Showcase next month or in September, right before the so-called Summer period ends.

OD Update

It’s been a year since Hideo Kojima took the Summer Game Fest stage, promoting Death Stranding 2. With how close he is to Keighley, and the fact that there hasn’t been any update on its next title, OD, since September 2025, a new teaser would hardly be surprising. Then again, since Xbox Game Studios is the publisher, it may even appear at the upcoming Xbox Showcase. The real question is: Will Kojima attend both? It’s certainly not impossible, even if it would be excessive.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Release Date Reveal (or Delay)

It really doesn’t hit you just how many games could be released between June and October, simply to avoid “competing” – which is already a strong word – against Grand Theft Auto 6. I’m not sure that Amazon Game Studios would want to take the risk, even after announcing a 2026 release window, and rumors of a delay to 2027 may feed into that. An appearance certainly seems on the cards, but for now, it’s a toss-up on whether it launches this year or next.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica Remake Announcement

Rumors have circulated about this remake since June 2024. Resident Evil Requiem was announced in June 2025, at the Summer Game Fest no less. With a supposed launch in the first half of 2027, odds are looking good that Resident Evil could steal the show once more with the long-awaited Code: Veronica Remake. Get your “welcome back, Claire Redfield” signs ready in advance.

Virtua Fighter Crossroads Reveal

Call it a mistake, an accident or just an honest-to-goodness leak, the new Virtua Fighter’s gameplay has seemingly leaked. The final name is apparently Virtua Fighter Crossroads, and admittedly, it looks quite good. Is Sega saving the announcement for a big show like Summer Game Fest, especially since it was announced at The Game Awards 2024? Possibly – it’s not like there’s any other shows it could fit in.

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition Announcement

Add another game to the potential Nintendo Direct, as Sega seeks to bring Sonic Frontiers to Nintendo Switch 2 at long last. While previous rumors suggested a rewritten story, the Definitive Edition is allegedly closer to a standard port, complete with all updates, except that it should run better than the Switch 1 version. Again, if it’s indeed real, expect an announcement and release date soon.

Metro 2039 Gets More Gameplay

After its surprising reveal and the even more surprising First Look, Metro 2039 seems poised to appear at the Xbox Games Showcase. Not for the sake of filling up time, mind you – rather, to showcase more of the horrors that players will allegedly face. I’m skeptical about a release date, especially since 4A Games still has time to narrow things down – and decide whether it wants to fall on the 2026 or 2027 side of its Winter release window – but stranger things have happened at an Xbox show.

State of Decay 3 Gameplay and Updates

Meet one of the stranger things. I know, I know – Undead Labs is conducting closed tests, and it’s seemingly making progress after years and years of nothing. And while it could outright say “2027” as a release window, something tells me the team will simply provide new gameplay, an update from recent tests, and the assurance of providing more opportunities in the coming months. Playing things safe before it really decides to commit to something.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Release Date

Launching this Summer and already unveiling everything that sets it apart from the original, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 seems like a lock for Summer Game Fest. A release date seems a given, but it feels like something else is needed – a little je ne sais quoi. Maybe a brand new big bad that would replace the Queen as a major threat? Hard to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it arrives as soon as next month.

Valor Mortis Release Date

A first-person Souls-like set in an alternate 19th-century Europe focused on fighting Napoleon’s zombie soldiers after returning from the dead, developed by the team behind Ghostrunner 2? Sign us up, and more importantly, give us a release date, since it’s already confirmed for Fall. That may end up closer to October than November for the obvious reason, but I’m more interested to see if a demo or open beta ends up happening, especially with all the closed testing done so far.

Ananta Trailer and Launch Window

Geoff Keighley’s showcases have a thing for games – see the frequent appearances by ZZZ, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, and, more recently, Arknights Endfield. Ananta is interesting because it’s foregoing a character system while retaining the urban open-world fantasy we’ve seen thus far. It may not launch this year, but with most of its competition, particularly NTE, already released, a new trailer at least seems a given.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Release Date

What should have been rated recently by PEGI, but Bandai Namco’s next Ace Combat? Smarter minds will probably be able to tell you why its pre-release date is May 30th on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, but it’s further proof of a potential release announcement. And honestly, with how good Wings of Theve has looked, both the first-person cutscenes and the actual combat, we’re hoping it drops sooner than later.

The Duskbloods Release Month

Say what you will about its recent multiplayer focus – FromSoftware generally does a good job convincing millions to try its next game, regardless. The same will hopefully hold for The Duskbloods, and with rumors of a launch later this year (and not this Summer, apparently), it could appear at that alleged Nintendo Direct set for mid-June. Maybe Elden Ring Tarnished Edition will be shadow-dropped in the meantime.

New 3D Mario Announcement

Nintendo isn’t above announcing big names a good while before they actually launch – just as it has no qualms holding back finished titles, waiting for the right launch window. And with insider NateTheHate claiming that a new 3D Mario would be announced for 2027, that supposed mid-June Direct isn’t the worst place to announce it, especially after the success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Pokémon Wind and Waves Release Window

Perhaps one of the safest possible bets for the Direct is the release date announcement for Pokémon Wind and Waves, especially with listings spotted on Amazon Germany. If it follows, say, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then January/February 2027 aren’t outside the realm of possibility. Again, a safe bet, unless Nintendo goes in another direction (like saving the info for a Pokémon Showcase in July).

Hollow Knight: Silksong — Sea of Sorrow Gameplay

Geoff Keighley loves his Silksong teases, but that was for one of the most-anticipated games of all time. What are the chances the trend repeats at this year’s show, revealing the first gameplay for Sea of Sorrow, its free DLC? Probably low, but don’t forget about XBOX – they’ve featured Silksong on numerous occasions, and would probably jump at the opportunity to feature the title on their showcase, complete with a release date.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Update

Game delays can be funny, especially when something like Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra – the next big game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig – announced a delay beyond early 2026. That doesn’t mean 2027, but at this rate, with very little to actually show for it, we wouldn’t be surprised if it appears with a new trailer confirming it’s skipping 2026 entirely. Which is fine, but you’d have to expect a closer look at the game at some point.

Star Wars Zero Company Release Date/Delay

Star Wars crossed with XCOM sounds like a dream come true, and based on previews, it makes for an excellent tactical strategy experience. But there’s otherwise been relative silence – not even a peep during this year’s May the 4th. If it’s meeting that 2026 release window, then a new trailer at either the Xbox Games Showcase or Summer Games Fest is possible. Then again, EA could choose not to foot the bill and just drop these details at some random time.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Title Reveal

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was first announced during the original’s 25th Anniversary Celebration livestream in June 2022. So close enough to the Summer of Gaming at the time, but still nothing. However, its gameplay trailer would appear at the Summer Game Fest in 2023, followed by another trailer at The Game Awards, and so on. With director Naoki Hamaguchi already claiming more than 40 playthroughs and promising to share more updates on the overall project than ever before this year, a Part 3 reveal – if not a release window, then perhaps its name – seems very likely.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Release Date

Oh, look – another game that appeared at last year’s Summer Game Fest with a release window of 2026. Asobo Studio offered a substantial update last April, confirming “final tweaks, last recording sessions, the closing notes of the score,” and much more as it focuses on refining the prequel. It’s been four years since A Plague Tale: Requiem, yet the developer is focused on delivering “an experience as challenging as it is unforgettable.” We could thus see Resonance appearing next week to announce a delay to next year, if only to allow it to shine all the brighter.

Palworld 1.0 Release Date

With all the big announcements, I think back to Palworld, which exited early access this year. Pocketpair already said that Version 1.0 wouldn’t just be randomly revealed on Discord, and it has a history of featuring on these big shows. So what better time to reveal all the new content and a release date than Summer Game Fest, with further info dumps planned for the coming months? Again, there’s kind of a time limit given the elephant in the room called GTA 6, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Pocketpair decides on January 2027 of all months.

Nivalis Release Window

At this time, developer ION LANDS posted a new update for its cyberpunk restaurant management title, going over level design, visuals, how it’s handling simulating thousands of characters, and so on. However, one little bit stood out – the shift towards “final polish” ahead of release. From bug fixes to localization and optimization, the team has been busy. It will share a release date when it’s ready, so a shadow drop seems unlikely, but at this stage, a release date still seems very possible, especially in the coming week.

Light No Fire Appearance

Of all the studios and publishers sweating about November and finding the right days to release their titles, Hello Games has it made. No Man’s Sky continues to succeed, and it continues to receive quality free updates that deepen the experience. So when it comes to Light No Fire, a small teaser could be released at Summer Game Fest with very little context, much less a release window, and stand out. And if no one wants to feature an indie title that simply wants to remind people that it still exists, well, that’s alright then, because development will roll on until something concrete. The point is, at the end of it all, Sean continues to hold all the cards.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Release Date

As if its first-party line-up for the coming months wasn’t enough, Mojang’s Minecraft Dungeons 2 is also launching in 2026. It’s not a huge title by any means, but the original had 25 million players, so the prospect of new locations and a brand new threat could be appealing…and you just know it’s going to be at the Xbox Games Showcase, showcasing its various new zones that totally weren’t leaked a year ago.

Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt touched on this in an interview with Sunny Games, and the good news is that it isn’t fixing what isn’t broken about the previous games. “So we talk about State of Decay 3 delivering on the systemic features from State of Decay 2 with a little bit more of the heart and soul of State of Decay 1. So maybe that’s a way to sort of think about how the franchise is evolving.”

Of course, the setup is different as well, with State of Decay 3 taking place “years into the future.” The de facto survivors are a “little bit more hardened” – whether that’s a good or bad thing, it will come in handy.

“The zombie menace is now presenting itself in a new way,” says Holt. “Curtains up on State of Decay 3, and your group of survivors has to really adapt to what they’re seeing in a more dangerous way. Much more dangerous way. So, yeah, the threats are real. They’re lethal, and they’re coming after you. So, that’s sort of the time setting.”

That would certainly feed into the rumored heavier narrative elements, especially if, like before, you must kill anyone who ends up infected. While alpha playtests for the title kick off next month and feature four-player co-op, base-building and combat, Undead Labs has touted a “much larger, truly shared open world” in the past.

How will that play out in the actual game? Time will tell, and there isn’t even a release date, but it’s shuffling along, not unlike the terrifyingly relentless undead. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

You may not remember it. Debuting at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, it showcased snow-covered environments and a lone human, who peers through the scope of their rifle to see a zombie deer. Pretty chilling stuff…except there wasn’t really any game at the time, according to Undead Labs head Philip Holt.

“So that trailer – there really wasn’t a game or game team when we were working on that trailer, like, it was so early,” he revealed in an interview with Sunny Games. “You know, the game was in a Word document. It was really the very beginnings of software.” At the time, Undead Labs had four to five people on the sequel. Shortly after the trailer, the studio confirmed that it was in early pre-production.

“The trailer was done by Blur, it was all pre-rendered, it represented, I think, a concept – our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore in State of Decay 3. And as we’ve had a chance to build a team and get going on the game, some of those elements I think are gonna persist in the game that we deliver, and some of those things are just, like…we’re not doing zombie animals.”

In case that wasn’t clear enough, Holt repeats it for those in the back. “No zombie deer. No zombie deer. No zombie deer.”

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait much longer to see what State of Decay 3 actually offers. Undead Labs announced alpha playtests starting in May, with sign-ups currently available. Participants can expect base-building, four-player co-op and plenty of violence. Those who don’t make the cut will have other opportunities to look forward to this year, though a release date remains pending.

“Listen, I’m not going to spoil the surprise for you, but I can say that it will feature 4-player co-op, some new base building and resource strategies, and a whole lot of combat.” You’ll need to register your Discord and email address to join, and while slots are limited, don’t worry. Fitzgerald said that it will have “plenty of other opportunities” throughout the year.

But that’s not all. As the months go on, Undead Labs will share “more updates” during development, ensuring players know “what’s new, what we’re learning,” and when they can have their chance at the alpha.

While announced in 2020, State of Decay 3 was actually in “early pre-production” at the time. Since it utilizes Unreal Engine 5, The Coalition would assist with their expertise, and rumors indicated “heavier” narrative elements and improved visual fidelity. Unfortunately, development stalled after allegations of workplace toxicity and sexism, with Microsoft (which owns the studio) blamed for not responding to complaints quickly enough.

Nevertheless, a new in-engine trailer debuted in 2024, and though it didn’t end up releasing last year as rumored, Undead Labs would stop content updates for State of Decay 2 to focus on the sequel. The developer would face an unknown number of layoffs last year, but despite all these hurdles, Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan says it’s “coming on really well.”

As always, stay tuned for more updates, including whether it will allegedly launch for PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Forza Horizon 6

Forza Horizon 6 looks set to continue Playground Games’ mastery of open-world racing, building on one of the most consistently polished franchises in the genre. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Japan, Forza Horizon 6 takes players across an even more dynamic map, deeper seasonal systems, and expanded social features – and of course, plenty of race events. With stunning visuals and an ever-growing roster of cars, Forza Horizon 6 feels like a dream of motorheads come true.

While he noted that he wasn’t yet allowed to talk about State of Decay 3 for now, he did note that development has been coming along quite well, and that he got the chance to play development builds “a bunch of times”.

“I think the [PR] in this room will murder me if I give you the answer to that,” he said. “So, here’s what I’ll say: I have done a number of visits to that studio in the last six to eight months. I have sat and played the game with the team a bunch of times. It’s coming on really well. We’re very excited about the franchise and its potential.”

“So I will certainly see a lot more of it in the coming year… is that a good answer to your question? [laughter]”

Undead Labs has been quiet about its work on State of Decay 3, and the last time we got to see anything about the third-person survival zombie game was an in-engine trailer all the way back in 2024. The studio itself has been the subject of controversy, however, with reports from back in 2022 indicating that the working conditions were rife with sexism and toxicity. This eventually led to several departures from the studio, which in turn had a notable impact on the game’s development progress. July 2025 also saw Undead Labs hit by lay-offs.

More recent rumours about State of Decay 3 have indicated that it will follow suit with other games under the Xbox Game Studios banner and will also come to PS5. Whether this means its PS5 version will launch on the same day as its PC and Xbox Series X/S release, or if this will happen at a later date, is currently unknown.

The State of Decay series originally started back in 2013 as a game on Xbox Live Arcade. The game is set in a town where the dead have risen, and revolves around their efforts to rally the local survivors to form a new community. Along with third-person combat, State of Decay also had an emphasis on survival mechanics, which meant that your community’s food and water were important things to track.

Its—2018’s State of Decay 2—upped the ante by introducing a host of different small-town settings of varying difficulty to choose from. The sandbox elements were also expanded on, along with the addition of 4-player co-op. While it also enjoyed post-launch support with new updates, including an updated re-release in 2020 dubbed the Juggernaut Edition, Undead Labs had announced back in 2024 that it was stopping development on more updates for State of Decay 2 to instead focus its teams on making State of Decay 3.

But what are they up to, and are their offerings going to be enough to either go toe to toe with the PS5, or, at the very least, gather enough momentum to attempt reversing the two consoles’ fading fortunes? We’re here to help answer those questions.

Join us as we take a look at what Xbox Game Studios is cooking up for a year that’s shaping up to be just as good as the one before it on the gaming front. It’s also a big year as the Xbox turns 25, and as such, there’s going to be a lot to be excited about if you’ve been a fan over the years. Let’s get started.

The Coalition

The studio behind the Gears of War franchise is all set to take the meta-narrative it has established over the years back to its roots, bringing back Marcus and Dom to the stage for a prequel that has fans excited to learn more about the gruff soldier’s turbulent relationship with his superiors and the events that led to the Locusts rising as a threat to his world in Gears of War: E-Day.

In a look back at the year it had at 2025, which featured studio heads discussing future projects, Mike Crump (who heads The Coalition) was pretty excited to assert that E-Day is the franchise’s “most ambitious title yet”, and confirmed that it was on track to release later this year with Polish studio People Can Fly joining the studio to lend a helping hand.

We’re going to be watching out with very sharp eyes for a release date announcement, and we’re sure that those among you who love Gears of War share our enthusiasm.

Compulsion Games

The South of Midnight developer has been basking in the success of the title, expressing gratitude for its excellent reception and confirming that a new project is already in the works. It has been stated that the lessons it picked up from developing South of Midnight have allowed it to grow and mature as a studio, and that this new project is going to reflect those learnings to be a game that is made to impress.

However, the studio is likely to focus on the multiplatform release for South of Midnight over this year, and its new project is likely not going to surface in 2026.

Double Fine

The studio has been relatively silent since the release of Keeper last year, and with little to no news about its next project surfacing in the months that followed, we can only guess that the team behind a very unique game is getting some well-deserved rest while they put down ideas for their next big thing on the drawing board.

That’s not to say we may not hear from the studio over the course of the year, though, and we’re hoping for more unique ideas, given its last project was a game with no dialogue that still managed to keep us glued to our screens.

Halo Studios

It looks like Halo is taking the Gears of War route this year, with Halo Studios all set to release Halo: Campaign Evolved sometime this year for the PS5, PC, and Xbox. A remake of a timeless classic, the new game is slated to bring several improvements to the original’s gameplay loop, such as the ability to hijack vehicles, weapon zooming, a redesign for the Warthog, up to 4-player online coop and 2-player couch coop, and so much more.

The visuals are also getting a leg up with Unreal Engine 5 powering the experience. The game’s iconic multiplayer being given a pass is a bummer, though. However, getting to see the campaign in a whole new light is something we’re definitely excited about. The bonus missions that act as a prequel are another nice touch that we’re curious about.

InXile Entertainment

We’ve been looking forward to Clockwork Revolution ever since this title was announced by inXile back in 2023. With a solid look into how the game works last year, and rumors that it could be slated for release this year, which must be taken with a pinch of salt, this is definitely one to watch out for.

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, it brings a very interesting premise with some time-travel shenanigans that pits you against a manipulative antagonist and her quest to consolidate power with a customizable protagonist. It’s quite impressive, and we hope the rumors that it’s making its way to our screens later this year are true, although we’re only carefully optimistic on that front.

Mojang Studios

There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re into Minecraft, as Mojang is bringing eight new baby farm mobs to the game, replete with visual changes that make them quite adorable indeed. However, the drop is still in its testing phase, and you might have to wait a while for an official release announcement, depending on how things progress.

However, that’s still good news, and we’ll be sure to have an update for you as soon as we can confirm any changes to the status quo.

Ninja Theory

The studio behind Hellblade is reportedly working on a new title that’s focused on being more interactive and action-oriented than its past offerings while sustaining the cinematic quality that it is now known for, as per Windows Central’s Jez Corden.

While there is speculation that the new title could be Hellblade 3, it could very well be a new IP. Either way, it’s likely that 2026 might be a quiet year for Ninja Theory, but that could very well change in the coming months.

Obsidian Entertainment

There are reportedly four new projects in development, along with speculations that a remake of Fallout: New Vegas in the vein of last year’s Oblivion is likely coming this year. However, that remains currently unconfirmed, so hopefully this month’s Xbox Direct may bring news on that front.

But if you happen to miss it, fret not, since we’re definitely going to have your back on that one!

Playground Games

The long-standing staple of Xbox Game Studios is going to be front and center at the Developer_Direct event, with both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 slated to make an appearance in what is shaping up to be a big year for the studio.

With no gameplay currently available for both titles, we’re quite certain that we’ll be getting quite a close look at what each of them is bringing to the table. While Fable is poised to be a reboot of the franchise, aimed at modernizing it for a new generation of players, Forza Horizon 6 is going to take you to Japan this time around, with a map that’s touted to be the biggest one yet in the franchise and a lot to look forward to in it.

We expect a release date announcement later this month, although that could take a little longer. Both games are currently slated for a 2026 release, though.

Rare

While the cancellation of Everwild is sure to have been a blow to the Sea of Thieves developer, the appointment of Lousie O’ Connor as the Chief of Staff for Xbox Game Studios might help with dealing with that loss and the layoffs that affected the studio.

It’s looking like a quiet year that’s going to be spent figuring out a way forward for the studio; however, we’re hopeful that we at least get a hint at what it aims to do next.

Turn 10 Studios

The studio behind Forza Motorsport is going to stop updates to its flagship title in order to help Playground Games with Forza Horizon 6. While that news is bittersweet, we’re still happy that the studio has managed to survive the turbulence of last year and come out on top.

Who knows, we might even get news of a new project a little later down the line. But for now, it’s looking like a relatively quiet year for this one.

Undead Labs

We’re still waiting on news about State of Decay 3 after Undead Labs posted that very cryptic teaser ahead of the 2025 edition of Summer Games Fest. However, things have been very quiet on that front, and the studio’s layoffs from last year have us a tad worried about the title’s current status.

We’re still holding out hope, however, and would be delighted to hear some good news at Developer_Direct later this month. Fingers crossed, we’d say.

World’s Edge

The studio’s job postings from last year fuelled a lot of speculation that it was taking a more hands-on approach to Age of Empires, and that an Unreal Engine-powered new addition to the franchise was in the works. And while nothing is confirmed at this moment, that could very well change later this year.

It would make sense for the studio to bring out a new title in its flagship franchise, and you can bet that we’d be very happy to hear about it over the course of this year. Once again, we’re going to advise cautious optimism, but one can always hope, right?

And that’s a wrap on all of the big releases and potential announcements from Xbox Game Studios as it gears up for a year that’s quite the landmark for the iconic console. We can’t wait to get our hands on all of the titles that are coming our way, and hope to join you as we enjoy a year of great games from these talented studios.