What to expect from Xbox showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct

Xbox fans are in for a treat on June 11, as Microsoft and Bethesda will host their annual summer showcase, followed by a deep dive into the highly anticipated sci-fi RPG Starfield. Here’s what you need to know about these events and what games you can expect to see.

Also read: 9 Games announced in the Summer Game Fest 2023

Xbox Games Showcase 2023

The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 will start at 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CEST, on Sunday, June 11. The show will stream on Xbox’s YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels. Microsoft promises “new surprises and first-looks” from Xbox Game Studios and its third-party partners. The show will focus on titles for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Game Pass.

Xbox Games VP Aaron Greenberg tweeted “none of our first party games in the show are full CG trailers” and added that everything shown will contain in-game footage, in-engine footage, or in-game footage with some cinematics.

Some of the expected games to appear at the showcase are:

Contraband

Contraband is a co-op smuggler’s paradise set in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan. The game is developed by Avalanche Studios, the creators of Just Cause and Mad Max, and it will feature a large open world with dynamic weather and environmental destruction. Contraband will also support Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing players to join the action from any device. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

Fable

Fable is a reboot of the beloved fantasy RPG series from Playground Games, the developers of Forza Horizon. The game will return to the whimsical and humorous world of Albion, where players can shape their own destiny and influence the world around them with their actions and choices. Fable will also feature stunning next-gen graphics and performance, as well as online multiplayer options. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

Avowed

Avowed is a single-player RPG set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity from Obsidian Entertainment, the developers of Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. The game will take place in the medieval fantasy world of Eora, where players will explore a vast and richly detailed environment with a first-person perspective. Avowed will also feature a deep and engaging story, as well as a complex and dynamic combat system that involves magic, melee, and ranged weapons. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

Everwild

Everwild is a magical and untamed natural world for you to explore from Rare, the developers of Sea of Thieves and Banjo-Kazooie. The game will let you experience an unforgettable connection with nature and its living creatures, as you embark on a journey of discovery and wonder. Everwild will also feature a unique art style and a vibrant soundtrack, as well as cooperative multiplayer options. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a sequel to the acclaimed psychological horror game from Ninja Theory, the developers of DmC: Devil May Cry and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. The game will continue the story of Senua, a Celtic warrior who suffers from psychosis and delusions, as she travels to Iceland to face new horrors and challenges. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will also feature stunning next-gen graphics and performance, as well as an immersive and emotional narrative. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

Forza Motorsport

Forza Motorsport is a new entry in the racing simulation series from Turn 10 Studios, the creators of Forza Motorsport 7 and Forza Horizon 4. The game will deliver the ultimate racing experience for fans of motorsport, with realistic physics, dynamic weather and lighting, and a variety of tracks and cars to choose from. Forza Motorsport will also support ray tracing technology, 4K resolution, and 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X|S. The game does not have a release date yet, but it will be available on Game Pass on day one.

There are also plenty of other announced but undated projects from Xbox Game Studios, such as Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, The Outer Worlds 2, Project Mara, and more that could make an appearance at the showcase. Additionally, there could be some surprises from third-party developers and publishers, such as Persona 3 Remake and Persona 5 Tactics from Atlus.

Starfield Direct

Bethesda Softworks’ Starfield Direct will be livestreamed immediately after the Xbox Games Showcase concludes, probably around 12 p.m. PDT/3 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. CEST. Bethesda’s deep dive on Starfield promises “new gameplay, developer interviews, and behind-the-scenes insider information” for the upcoming Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S game.

Starfield is Bethesda Game Studios’ first new IP in 25 years, and it’s described as “a next-generation role-playing game where you’ll be who you want, go where you want, experience our stories and forge your own.”

Starfield is also one of the first Bethesda games to be exclusive to Xbox platforms after Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media earlier this year. This means that Starfield will be available on Game Pass on day one for both PC and console players.

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