On Sunday, Microsoft hosted an extensive Xbox Games Showcase 2024, delivering a series of new game reveals and updates from both its own studios and third-party developers. The showcase featured prominently known franchises from Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, and others. It kicked off with an exciting campaign trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and wrapped up with an unveiling of the next installment in the Gears of War series. Additionally, previously announced titles such as State of Decay 3, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Perfect Dark, Avowed, and South of Midnight presented fresh trailers.
The event aired just two days after the Summer Game Fest and one week after Sony’s State of Play live stream. In addition to first-party titles, the showcase highlighted several third-party games, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Microsoft also introduced three new variants of the Xbox Series S/X, among which includes an all-digital Xbox Series X. Following the showcase, a dedicated Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct presentation was held. Here’s a roundup of the announcements made during the Xbox Games Showcase:
Gears of War: E-Day
Amidst speculation, Microsoft confirmed the existence of the next Gears of War title, Gears of War: E-Day. This upcoming game is set 14 years before the events of the original Gears of War, specifically during Emergence Day. The cinematic trailer featured in-game assets and showcased a haunting instrumental rendition of Gary Jules’ ‘Mad World,’ reminiscent of the series’ iconic 2006 advertisement. No specific release date was provided, but it is anticipated that the launch is still some time away.
Doom: The Dark Ages
One of the standout announcements was the reveal of the next main entry in the Doom series, titled Doom: The Dark Ages. This installment takes a medieval twist on the franchise, placing the Doom Slayer in a dark fantasy environment. The trailer highlighted a range of fierce combat sequences, showcasing vivid weaponry including a skull-feeding gun and a bladed Shield Saw that returns like Thor’s hammer. Players will also encounter colossal demons, utilizing the Atlan mech and a cybernetic war dragon in battles. Doom: The Dark Ages is set for release on Xbox Series S/X, PC, and PS5 in 2025, with a day-one launch on Game Pass.
Perfect Dark
The Xbox Games Showcase also featured the first gameplay trailer for Perfect Dark. Developed collaboratively by The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics and published by Xbox Game Studios, this reboot was first previewed at The Game Awards in 2020. The new trailer emphasizes first-person combat and parkour, set in Cairo and revolving around the protagonist Joanna Dark. The gameplay showcases hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, and stealth mechanics. A release date for Perfect Dark has yet to be announced.
South of Midnight
Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight, initially introduced at the previous Xbox Games Showcase, presented a new trailer that highlighted its third-person action-adventure gameplay. The game is characterized by its unique art style and incorporates fantasy elements. The visuals follow the main character, Hazel, as she journeys through a flooded wilderness with her companion, Catfish, encountering magical creatures along the way. Hazel’s abilities include magic weaving, which plays a significant role in both combat and navigation. South of Midnight is anticipated for release on Xbox Series S/X and PC in 2025.
State of Decay 3
The showcase unveiled a fresh trailer for State of Decay 3. This sequel to 2018’s State of Decay 2 continues the open-world zombie survival theme, set years into the post-apocalyptic landscape. Players will face the undead while attempting to reclaim lost territories. An official release date for State of Decay 3 has not yet been disclosed.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Following the Xbox Games Showcase, the next installment of the Call of Duty franchise also received a dedicated Direct presentation. The campaign trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, showcased a narrative set in the early 1990s revolving around espionage themes. The trailer celebrated classic characters, exhilarating action scenes, and precise gunplay. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch on October 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X, with a day-one inclusion in Game Pass.
Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment shared a new story trailer for Avowed, an action-RPG played from a first-person perspective focused on melee and magic combat. The release is slated for 2024 on PC and Xbox Series S/X.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
The showcase also featured a new trailer for MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, providing insights into gameplay and story elements. The trailer depicted Indy in pursuit of a mysterious artifact set against the backdrop of the Himalayas. The game is expected to be released on PC and Xbox Series S/X later this year.
Additional announcements from the Xbox Games Showcase included:
- Age of Mythology: Retold – Releasing on PC and Xbox Series S/X on September 4, pre-orders available
- Fable – Expected in 2025 for PC and Xbox Series S/X
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Set for November 19 release on PC and Xbox Series S/X
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Releasing on November 15 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Atomfall – Coming in 2025 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Available for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Releasing Fall 2024 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – Launching on July 18 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- FragPunk – Expected in 2025 for PC, Xbox Series S/X
- Life Is Strange: Double Exposure – Due for release on October 29 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Mecha Break – Coming in 2025 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater – Set for 2024 on PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Mixtape – Launching in 2025 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Set to release on September 5 for PC, Xbox Series S/X
- Winter Burrow – Expected in early 2025 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
- Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – Slated for 2025 on PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
- Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred – Launching on October 8 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5
- Fallout 76 Skyline Valley – Releasing on June 6 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5
- Starfield Shattered Space – Set for release in 2024 for PC, Xbox Series S/X
- World of Warcraft: The War Within – Launching on August 26 for PC
