E3 may be dead, but even so, there’s no shortage of major upcoming gaming events and showcases to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, and as is the case every summer, Microsoft is going to be leading that pack with its annual Xbox Games Showcase. With the combined might of Microsoft, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard making up the Xbox umbrella’s first-party, this year’s showcase, which is set for June 9, is looking like it may very well end up being one of the more packed ones in recent memory. Here, then, we’re going to talk about a few games that we feel have a good chance of showing up for some reason or the other.
PERFECT DARK
Honestly, it’s well past time we see an actual gameplay reveal of Perfect Dark. The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics’ long-awaited rebooted was announced back in 2021 with a CG teaser, and since then, the only updates we’ve received have been reports of development troubles. It seems, however, like the tide has turned for the Perfect Dark project, with prominent insider NateTheHate recently having claimed that the game was in a much better state behind the scenes, and that it was very, very likely to show up at the Xbox Games Showcase in June. How extensive of a look at the game and its gameplay we’ll see remains to be seen, but we’d be surprised to not get some kind of a trailer at the very least.
GEARS 6
It’s been five years since Gears 5 came out, and series fans are getting antsy about information on its next instalment. That The Coalition is working on Gears 6 isn’t in any doubt whatsoever (and that’s not just because leaks have claimed the same), but given how long it’s been since the series’ last mainline release, is it about time that we hear about its next instalment? As per leaks, that’s exactly right. From Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb to The Verge’s Tom Warren to the aforementioned NateTheHate, several sources have indicated that Gears 6 is going to be announced at the Xbox Games Showcase. On top of that, actor Liam McIntyre – who plays JD Fenix – also recently mentioned that The Coalition would be talking more about the future of the franchise in June.
FABLE
First announced four years ago, Fable is somehow still a game that we’ve shockingly little of. In fact, last year’s Xbox Games Showcase was the first time that we got a gameplay trailer for the game- and honestly, calling that gameplay wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Was it in-engine footage? Definitely. But were we seeing actual gameplay in that trailer? That’s much more debatable. Either way, we’re hoping that that changes with another look at the game in this year’s showcase. Leaks have claimed that Fable is targeting a 2025 release, and if that is indeed the case, it should be at a stage behind the scenes where Playground Games and Microsoft can start showing off much more extensive looks at gameplay.
STARFIELD: SHATTERED SPACE
For many, Starfield didn’t hit the way that they had hoped it would, but Bethesda, of course, has plans to continue supporting and improving the game. Part of that will obviously come through free patches and updates, but the company also has content additions planned- like the upcoming expansion, Shattered Space. It’s been confirmed that it will release in the Fall, and yet, we still don’t know anything about it other than what it’s called and the fact that it, you know, exists. Given that, it seems safe to say that we’re going to get our first look at Shattered Space at the Xbox Games Showcase. As per The Verge, the expansion will indeed be shown off, while a September release date will also be announced.
CLOCKWORK REVOLUTION
Last year’s Xbox Games Showcase saw Wasteland developer inXile Entertainment unveiling an ambitious knew IP in the form of FPS RPG Clockwork Revolution, and we’re desperately hoping to see and learn more about its time manipulation conceit, its fascinating steampunk setting, and its choice and consequence mechanics in the coming days. We do recognize, however, that there’s a good chance that that doesn’t happen. Typically, in recent years, after announcing new games with cinematic trailers, Microsoft has tended to go silent about them for a couple of years afterwards, so there’s a chance that we don’t hear anything about Clockwork Revolution for some time to come. Hopefully, that won’t be the case and we’ll get at least a brief look at the game at the upcoming showcase.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL
Developer GSC Game World has been through the wringer during the development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, having had to endure everything from cyber attacks to office fires to a fricking military invasion of their country, but the studio says it’s finally in the home stretch of the long-awaited horror shooter’s development. Each time we’ve seen ore of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, it has looked increasingly promising, whether that’s because of its captivating (and horrifying) setting or its gorgeous visuals and impressive level of fidelity. With the game supposedly due out in September, we’d be surprised if we didn’t get another trailer at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.
CONTRABAND
Contraband is another one of those games that Microsoft announced years ago with a brief CG trailer and then just never brought up again. Avalanche Studios’ open world co-op heisting game was announced back in 2021, and in the three years since then, there have been next to no updates on the game itself, or even on how its development is going. Will that chance at the showcase on June 9? Honestly, there’s little indication that it will. Then again, there’s little indication that it won’t. Given just how long it’s been since Microsoft said anything about the game, we’re hoping the company will come to the conclusion that providing at least a brief look at the game seems crucial at this juncture.
TOWERBORNE
Stoic Studio of The Banner Saga fame unveiled its Xbox-backed action-adventure co-op game last year, and since then, it’s generated a fair amount of buzz. In addition to making some intriguing promises with its fantasy setting, its emphasis on co-op gameplay, and its live service support, Towerborne has also caught the eye with its gorgeous visuals, sidescrolling style, and more. The game is officially scheduled to release at some point in 2024, so honestly, we’d be surprised if we didn’t get a fairly meaty new trailer- one that will presumably include a release date announcement.
SOUTH OF MIDNIGHT
Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight was also unveiled at last year’s Xbox Games Showcase with no release date or window, so just like with Clockwork Revolution, there’s a good chance that we don’t see it again for a while. Then again, the game has already been in the works for a while, and after the promising trailer that it was unveiled with last year, we’re hoping to get another look this year, this time with some glimpses of actual gameplay as well. In terms of setting and aesthetic, clearly South of Midnight has a lot going for it, so hopefully we’ll soon also be getting more details on why we should be excited from a gameplay perspective.
STATE OF DECAY 3
It’ll soon be four years since the announcement of State of Decay 3, and much like a number of other first-party Xbox titles, in all that time, we’ve seen nothing other than its CG announcement trailer. A recent report by Windows Central’s Jez Corden claimed that the game is going to be at the showcase on June 9, and that it’s going to boast significant better visuals and greater narrative bent than State of Decay 2. Given how long it’s been since the game’s announcement, now seems like the right time to do a gameplay reveal, so hopefully, that report is accurate.
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