Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has concluded, delivering a thrilling array of game reveals, release dates, and hardware announcements. The hour-long event featured several major announcements, including new game reveals, upcoming expansions, and updates on long-anticipated titles. Here’s a comprehensive look at the highlights from the showcase.
Major Game Announcements
Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day were the standout surprises of the event. Doom: The Dark Ages is set in a dark fantasy realm, transporting players to a medieval-like era filled with gruesome battles and cyberpunk dragons. This entry in the iconic franchise is scheduled for a 2025 release on Xbox, PC, and PS5. Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, takes players back to the first Locust emergence on Sera, serving as a prequel to the original game. Though no release date was provided, the trailer has already generated significant excitement.
Release Dates and New Gameplay Footage
Fans of Fable were treated to new gameplay footage and a 2025 release window. The new instalment centres on a hero named Humphry, who must come out of retirement to save Albion from a mysterious threat. The showcase also revealed a November 19th release date for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which will include new features such as hot air balloon trips and aerial firefighting.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also made an appearance, with new gameplay footage and a target release of December 2024. Meanwhile, Perfect Dark finally revealed its gameplay set in a near-future Cairo, marking a significant step forward for the reboot being developed by The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics.
New Hardware Announcements
Microsoft unveiled three new Xbox models during the showcase. A white, disc-less Xbox Series X will be released later this year, priced at $449.99. Additionally, a 2TB “Galaxy Black” Xbox Series X and a 1TB Xbox Series S in white were also announced, with the latter priced at $349.99. These new models are set to enhance the gaming experience for the holiday season.
Additional Game Updates
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch on October 25th, featuring a new campaign and multiplayer modes, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Avowed, Obsidian’s upcoming RPG, is targeting a November 12th release, though this date was accidentally revealed and later retracted.
Other notable updates include:
Starfield: Shattered Space expansion, coming in 2024.
Fallout 76: Skyline Valley map expansion, launching on June 12th, with the ability to play as a ghoul arriving in early 2025.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred expansion, releasing on October 8th.
State of Decay 3 teaser, with more details to come.
Age of Mythology: Retold, releasing on September 4th.
World of Warcraft: The War Within expansion, launching on August 26th.
An Exciting year Ahead!!
The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has set the stage for an exciting year ahead, with a mix of surprising new game announcements, significant updates on highly anticipated titles, and innovative new hardware. Gamers can look forward to an array of new experiences across a variety of platforms, ensuring that Xbox remains at the forefront of the gaming industry. Stay tuned for more updates as these releases approach.