Xbox and Bethesda Showcase

This morning saw Xbox and Bethesda take the stage for the first time together under the Xbox Games Studios banner and bring gamers approximately 90 minutes of games and announcements to excite Xbox fans for the future ahead. The show brought a lot of the expected but also brought with it a nice few surprise in as the games flowed through from start to finish with 30 games and 27 of those coming to Xbox Game Pass.

A big show with some great games and it ran as follows:

Starfield – Xbox Exclusive – 11 November 2022 – Xbox Series S/X and PC – Xbox Game Pass Day One

The show went head first into is with Starfield with Alpha in-game footage and a launch date of 11 November 2021. This game is the first to use the Bethesda Creation Engine 2.

“In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.”

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl – 28th April 2022 – Xbox Series S/X and PC – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Here gamers had our first look at the cutscenes, the world and the in-game action coming to gamers on the 28th April 2022.

Back 4 Blood – 12th October 2021 – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Gamers got to see the PvP of the game in action and this looks like a lot fun with mates. Get ready for the 12th October.

Contraband – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Avalance Studios are bringing us a “co-op smuggler’s paradise set in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan” titled Contraband.

Sea of Thieves – Pirates of the Caribbean DLC – 22nd June 2021 – Free  

Sea of Thieves will be seeing five new Tall Tales in a crossover with Captain Jack Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Free Jack from his prison and witness the power of the world’s greatest Pirate Treasure, which he just so happens to have stolen, before joining him on an unforgettable quest to stop dark forces from dominating this pirate paradise.”

Yakuza: Like A Dragon – Right Now – Xbox Game Pass

Yakuza: Like a Dragon was announced to be making its way to Xbox Game Pass right now.

Battlefield 2042 – 22nd October 2021

Next we got a decent look at game play footage of the upcoming multiplayer only title in Battlefield 2042.

This looks like a lot of fun, and with battles of up to 128 players, you may need to add some more players to your squad.

“Fight to define the future in a world transformed by disorder. For the first time in Battlefield’s history, 128 players can join the all-out war at the same time – giving you the chance to take part in massive-scale battles where anything can happen. Get an even greater sense of spectacular, large-scale war on seven massive maps where you’ll experience ever-changing battle conditions and gameplay challenges.”

Twelve Minutes – 19 August 2021 – Xbox Game Pass Day One

We saw Twelve Minutes and it brought with it a launch date of 19th August 2021.

“An interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop. Featuring James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe.”

Psychonauts 2 – 25 August 2021 – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Next was gameplay from the upcoming Psychonauts 2 showcasing what to expect on the 25th August and to Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Bethesda and Xbox Game Pass – right now 

At this point of the show Todd Howard made his way to the stage for a chat and dropped a number of Bethesda games onto Xbox Game Pass right now.

They are:

• Arx Fatalis (PC)
• Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (PC, Cloud, and Console)
• Doom (Cloud and Console)
• Fallout (PC)
• Fallout 2 (PC)
• Fallout 3 (PC, Cloud, and Console)
• Fallout: New Vegas (Newly added for PC, Cloud, and Console)
• Fallout: Tactics (PC)
• Rage (Cloud and Console)
• The Evil Within 2 (PC, Cloud, and Console)
• Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (PC, Cloud, and Console)

The other announcement being that DOOM Eternal will receive an enhancement for current-gen on the 29th June.

Fallout 76 – Steel Reign DLC – 7th July – Free for all players

Fallout 76 details of DLC to come to the game across the new 12 months starting with Steel Reign which sees the player in control of the fate of the Brotherhood of Steel.

“You arrive back at Fort Atlas to find the tensions between Paladin Rahmani and Knight Shin have reached a boiling point. After swarms of Super Mutants start to appear and people are reported missing, how will you guide the Brotherhood? Will you take the side of justice or will you remain committed to duty?”

Fallout 76 – “Expeditions – The Pitt” – 2022

The next DLC arriving in 2022 sees adventures take their first steps outside of Appalachia with Expeditions – The Pitt.

“Expeditions are story driven, repeatable missions to various exciting locales in the Fallout universe”

The Elder Scrolls Online – Console Enhanced Edition – 15 June 2021

The Elder Scrolls Online will be getting its console enhancement for the Series S/X tomorrow.

“Experience Tamriel unleashed with Console Enhanced, a new version of the game for Xbox Series X|S that fully utilizes the native power of current-generation machines to provide incredible boosts to performance and graphical fidelity. Tamriel has never looked or played better on consoles with Console Enhance”

Party Animals – 2022 – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Console Launch Exclusive 

The next animal battle in the style of Gang Beasts sees Party Animals coming to gamers in 2022.

“Fight with or against your friends in Party Animals! Choose your character from a diverse cast of adorable animals as you battle it out across multiple game modes to be the last one left standing in the ultimate competitive brawler.”

Hades – 13 August 2021 – Xbox Game Pass

Hades launched to critical acclaim on the Nintendo Switch and now it is on its way to Xbox.

“In this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion and Transistor, you’ll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.”

Somerville – 2022 – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Console Launch Exclusive

“In the wake of catastrophe you must find the means to make your family whole again. Somerville is a Sci-Fi adventure grounded in the intimate repercussions of large scale conflict.”

Halo Infinite – Holiday Season 2021 – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Multiplayer – Free-to-play

Next up was one that many of us were waiting for. The multiplayer of Halo Infinite was shown off showcasing in-game footage of some of the old and new things to expect from the game as it launches in holiday season 2021. Multiplayer will be free-to-play for all gamers. Viewers also saw a teaser for the upcoming campaign for the game, seeing the Chief return with a few other well known voices.

Diablo II Resurrected – 23 September 2021 

The definitive remaster of Diablo II was shown bringing 60fps, cross progression and 8 player co-op to gamers on the 23rd September 2021.

“A dark figure wanders in the East and he must be stopped at all costs. Own the definitive remastering of Diablo ® II and its Lord of Destruction ® expansion”

A Plague Tale Requiem – 2022 – Xbox Series S/X and PC – Xbox Game Pass Day One

A nice surprise from the show was the existence of the next game in the A Plague Tale series which will be coming in 2022 and to Xbox Game Pass on day one.

“Embark on an emotional and breathtaking journey. Follow Amicia and her brother Hugo on a perilous new quest, doing whatever it takes to survive a brutal, uncaring world.”

Far Cry 6 – 7th October 2021

Ubisoft brought Far Cry 6 to the show to showcase the game play of the Xbox Series X. You can see it in full flight below.

“Takedown settlements with the help of an angry alligator Fang for Hire, resolver weapons, and customizable backpacks. Bring freedom back to Yara with co-op matchmaking.”

Slime Rancher 2 – 2022 – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Console Launch Exclusive

The return of Slime Rancher was announced for 2022.

“Beatrix LeBeau is returning to the Far, Far Range in Slime Rancher 2!”

Shredders – December 2021 – Xbox Game Pass Day One 

“A love letter to snowboarding, Shredders takes inspiration from snowboarding movies, the Amped games from the original Xbox, and the snowboarding heroes on social media. Shredders is a project fed by passion and built to shine on Xbox Series X|S.”

Atomic Heart – No date – Xbox Game Pass Day One

“Atomic Heart takes place in the Soviet Union in an alternative reality sometime in 1955, where technology like the internet, holograms and robots have already been invented. The main protagonist is a special agent called P-3, who is sent by the government to investigate a manufacturing facility that has fallen silent.”

REPLACED – 2022 – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Console Launch Exclusive

“REPLACED is a 2.5D sci-fi retro-futuristic action platformer where you play as R.E.A.C.H. – an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body against its own will. REPLACED combines cinematic platforming, pixel art and free-flow action combat with a deep, engaging dystopian story set in an alternative 1980’s.”

Grounded – The Shroom and Doom Update – 30 June – Free

The team gave viewers a look at the upcoming update to come to Grounded which includes pets, achievements, lots of spiders and the Broodmother.

Among Us – Soon – Xbox Game Pass 

Among Us will be launching on consoles and as part of Xbox Game Pass later this year.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – 2023 – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes saw an official announcement trailer with a nice little tease at the end for Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising in 2022

“Featuring a traditional 6-character battle system utilizing painstakingly created 2D sprites and gorgeous 3D backgrounds. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a celebration of the JRPG genre readily associated with studio lead Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden I & II) and director Osamu Komuta. Eiyuden Chronicles is both a throwback to the classic JRPG games that have entertained millions and a modern, exciting tale of discovery and adventure featuring a cast of hundreds of fully realized characters.”

The Ascent – 29 July – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Viewers got another look at The Ascent before its launch on the 29th July straight onto Xbox Game Pass.

“The Ascent is a solo and co-op Action-shooter RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Can you survive without it?”

Age of Empires IV – 28th October – PC – Xbox Game Pass for PC Day One 

The first official announcement and gameplay trailer was shown to get players ready for re-entry into the series in October.

“One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV on Xbox Game Pass for PC, Windows Store, and Steam, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.

Choose your path to greatness with 8 diverse civilizations, 4 distinct campaigns with 35 missions that include legendary historical figures, user generated content tools for custom games, 8 player multiplayer modes, and a tutorial system and story mode designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success.”

The Outer Worlds 2 – No date – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Another surprise for fans was the existence of The Outer Worlds 2 and all we know was shown in the announcement trailer below.

“New solar system, new crew, same Outer Worlds. The Outer Worlds 2 is coming…and when that day is closer we will show you more…but until then enjoy this.”

Microsoft Flight Simulator – 27 July 2021 – Xbox Series S/X – Xbox Game Pass Day One

Here’s one that I think many of the viewers were waiting for and that was the date of Microsoft Flight Simulator on the Xbox Series S/X. The footage shown was all captured in 4K on the Series X. The nice little surprise with this is the Top Gun DLC to come in Fall 2021 (Spring AUS).

“Players will experience the same level of depth and complexity that fans of the critically acclaimed flight simulator have come to love on PC.

The Microsoft Flight Simulator team also announced today a one-of-a-kind expansion in partnership with Paramount Studios to coincide with the exciting launch of the new Top Gun: Maverick movie. More details on the experience will be revealed as the November 19 premiere of the movie and release of the expansion draw closer.””

Forza Horizon 5 – 9 November 2021 – Xbox Series S/X and PC – Xbox Game Pass Day One

The next not so well kept secret, but still a great one to get the official word on was Forza Horizon 5 making its way to Mexico. FH5 will be the largest game ever and it brings some breath-taking scenery and original artwork from local artists. The game play was showcased during the show including all new game modes as well as the new Event Lab allow racers to create their own in-game events (think Halo’s forge mode).

Announcement Trailer

Gameplay video

Redfall – Summer 2022 (Winter AUS) – Xbox Series S/X – Xbox Game Pass Day One – Xbox Exclusive

Now this was a surprise no one saw coming as Phil Spencer lead into a new unannounced Xbox Exclusive title from Arkane Studios in Redfall.

The announcement trailer ran for nearly 5 minutes showcasing gunplay, vampires, dedicated classes and a whole heap more.

“The quaint island town of Redfall, Massachusetts, is under siege by a legion of vampires who have blocked out the sun and cut the island off from the outside world. Trapped with a handful of survivors against diabolical enemies threatening to bleed the town dry, choose your hero from a diverse roster, grouping up with others to create the perfect team of vampire slayers. Redfall is an open-world co-op FPS”.

Xbox Fridge – Holidays 2021

Last but not least, and just in time for Christmas, was the launch date for the Xbox Series X fridge just in time for those Christmas stockings. I’m hoping one of these is under my Christmas tree.

Overall, this was a awesome showing from Xbox and Bethesda. The showcase provided highlights, surprises and some amazing signs for the rest of 2021 and beyond. With so many of these games coming in 2021, and the majority of them coming to Xbox Game Pass, there’s no reason for fans of the Xbox to not be excited. There is also no reason not to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass either.

I’m ready for what’s to come and excited by what was shown. Great times ahead.

Theres no better time to be an Xbox gamer

Xbox Gamer Dad

*  All quoted text has been taken directly from the YouTube videos from the official Xbox YouTube channel

The full show in all its 4K glory can be found below.