Microsoft's 2025 Xbox Games Showcase requires continued momentum, and potentially venturing beyond The Outer Worlds 2 sequel, to achieve success.
Peeking into 2025's Xbox Games Showcase at Summer Game Fest
Here we are, gearing up for the Xbox Games Showcase at the Summer Game Fest this weekend. With Microsoft's gaming division raking in a 5% increase in revenue, it's no secret they're riding high. Thanks to digital services like Xbox Game Pass, they've managed to compensate for any hardware sales dips. And boy, have they blessed us with an impressive lineup of games over the past six months!
Sure, not every game has been a chart-topper. South of Midnight, while fun, didn't quite measure up to the hype surrounding Avowed, arguably Xbox's standout first-party exclusive of the year so far. Meanwhile, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle became a cross-platform favorite when it dropped for PS5 a few months after its Series X debut. Oh, and let's not forget that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was dropped practically out of nowhere!
2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Microsoft gaming. With so much success, the Xbox Games Showcase this weekend has a tough act to follow. They need to showcase their upcoming Xbox Series X games while emphasizing the console as the best place to play incoming third-party hits. And let's face it, with the Nintendo Switch 2 launching just three days prior, the competition is fierce!
Breaking the Mold
Join us as we navigate this chaotic weekend! Take a look at the Summer Game Fest schedule for a comprehensive rundown of events.
With promises of both first and third-party Xbox titles on June 8th's roster, and a dedicated deep-dive for The Outer Worlds 2 from Obsidian immediately after, the Xbox Games Showcase has the potential to be both festive and instructive.
Obsidian, hailing from Microsoft's stable since its acquisition in 2018, has seen tremendous success with notable releases. It's no surprise Microsoft wants to highlight them as they set their sights on the coming months. Exciting new titles are in the pipeline, such as Fable 4 and Perfect Dark, although their progress has been a bit elusive since their respective reveals last year. State of Decay 3 and Clockwork Revolution also suffer from a dearth of recent news, despite being hotly anticipated new releases for 2025.
I can't wait to see what new intel we'll get on Marvel's Blade, despite Arkane Austin going quiet for a while to focus on its production stages. A girl can dream!
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Microsoft has numerous third-party partners that could steal the show this weekend, with buzzworthy releases on the horizon. For instance, Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, and Supermasive Games' Directive 8020 are all up and coming games with confirmed release dates.
In addition, the likes of Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, Crimson Desert, and Chucklefish's cozy new pixel RPG Witchbrook would all benefit from clearer release windows. After all, now that GTA 6 has been delayed to 2026, it's hardly a bad time to release a plethora of new release dates to help fill out our gaming calendars for the rest of the year!
What Does the Future Hold?
It's a lot to take in—games, and educated guesses alike! Perhaps the most intriguing partner we might witness at the Xbox Games Showcase? Ubisoft.
Although listed as a Summer Game Fest partner, Ubisoft hasn't confirmed whether a Ubisoft Forward showcase is happening. Nevertheless, a cryptic tweet showcasing an extreme close-up of Splinter Cell protagonist Sam Fisher's visage has fans buzzing with theories about a potential remake of the game Ubisoft announced a staggering four years ago.
Keep your eyes peeled for this possible teaser, which could make an appearance at any point during the weekend's festivities, including the inaugural events on June 6.
Following a strong start to 2025, the Xbox Games Showcase represents Microsoft's chance to keep the momentum rolling. By impressing console and PC gamers alike, they're determined to demonstrate that their hardware doesn't have to falter, even as sales dwindle. If they present a compelling lineup, the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 might even be worth sacrificing a spot in the Mario Kart World championships!
Don't miss the Future Games Showcase on June 7, hosted by Matt Mercer.
Enrichment Data:The following is a list of games that could potentially appear at the Xbox Games Showcase, although no official confirmations have been made:
- Gears of War: E-Day
- Fable 4
- Perfect Dark
- Everwild
- State of Decay 3
- The Elder Scrolls 6
- Outer Worlds 2
- Persona 4 Remake
- Black Myth Wukong
Remember to keep an eye out for related events such as the Ubisoft Forward showcase, where news about Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe and potential updates on Splinter Cell could be announced.
- The upcoming Xbox Games Showcase at Summer Game Fest promises a thrilling lineup of games on June 8th, followed by a dedicated deep-dive for The Outer Worlds 2 from Obsidian.
- Obsidian, acquired by Microsoft in 2018, has had successful releases and is a key player in the Xbox Games lineup, with titles like Fable 4 and Perfect Dark in the pipeline.
- State of Decay 3 and Clockwork Revolution are highly anticipated, but information about their progress has been scarce since their respective reveals last year.
- Exciting new games, such as Marvel's Blade and Witchbrook, may reveal more about their release dates during the showcase.
- Third-party partners, like Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, and Supermasive Games' Directive 8020, are expected to make a significant impact with upcoming releases.
- Ubisoft, listed as a Summer Game Fest partner, is rumored to reveal more about a potential Splinter Cell remake during the Xbox Games Showcase.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 launching just three days prior adds to the fierce competition, making the Xbox Games Showcase a crucial event for Microsoft to maintain their momentum.
- With GTA 6 delayed to 2026, it's an opportune time for Xbox to release a plethora of new game release dates to fill out gaming calendars for the rest of the year.