Xbox & Bethesda Showcase LIVE: Starfield, Forza, Halo, and all the latest Xbox news

Grounded 1.0 officially releases in Sept. 2022 Grounded, Obsidian Entertainment's hit, shrunken survival crafting game, is rapidly approaching its full release. The 1.0 update, which will render the title feature complete, is arriving in Sept. 2022 across Xbox, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Of course, Grounded is already included across the entire Xbox Game Pass suite of services, and it's not going anywhere after its full release. — Zachary Boddy

Obsidian Entertainment announces Pentiment, a unique murder mystery Pentiment, which has been heavily leaked or rumored in the past, is finally official. Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios are bringing this murder mystery with a unique art style to Xbox consoles, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming in Nov. 2022. — Zachary Boddy

Scorn shows off unsettling gameplay, release date revealed Xbox exclusive horror game Scorn showed off gruesome, unsettling gameplay during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, alongside a specific release date of Oct. 21, 2021. Scorn is coming exclusively to Xbox Series X|S and PC, and is an Xbox and PC Game Pass day one launch title. — Zachary Boddy

Lightyear Frontier launching on Xbox and PC Game Pass in Spring 2023 Lightyear Frontier is a peaceful, exploration-centric farming adventure with up to four-player co-op, and it made its debut as an Xbox and PC Game Pass launch title during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Show. The debut title from FRAME BREAK, published by Amplifier Game Invest, is arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in Spring 2023, with more information to come later this year at Gamescom 2022. — Zachary Boddy

Minecraft Legends announced, an action strategy game coming in 2023 Mojang Studios appeared during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase to reveal the latest expansion to the Minecraft universe. Minecraft Legends is an action strategy game filled with action, building, and exploration, and it's coming to Xbox consoles, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2023. — Zachary Boddy

Ara: History Untold is a grand strategy game coming from Oxide Games Xbox Game Studios and Oxide Games are partnering on Ara: History Untold, a historical grand strategy game coming to PC Game Pass on day one. Interested players can also sign-up to become an insider, and possibly test the game before its eventual release. — Zachary Boddy

Ark 2 shows off new dinosaur-filled gameplay Ark 2, the upcoming vastly upgraded survival crafting game, grabbed a new gameplay trailer featuring Vin Diesel. The game is still slated to arrive on Xbox consoles and PC in 2023. — Zachary Boddy

Forza Horizon 5 "Hot Wheels" DLC expansion announced After months of waiting and speculation, Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios have officially unveiled the first Forza Horizon 5 DLC expansion. The epic open-world racing game is gaining an all-new area to explore, more cars to collect and drive, and more content with which to play when Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels releases on Xbox and PC. This is the second time Playground Games has partnered with the legendary toy brand, Hot Wheels, after the original Hot Wheels expansion for Forza Horizon 3. With FH5, the expansion will be bigger and better than ever, and benefit from numerous improvements and advancements to the Forza Horizon series since its third entry. — Zachary Boddy

Fallout 76: The Pitt expansion coming to Xbox and PC in Sept. 2022 Fallout 76 announced its next chapter with The Pitt expansion, which features more apocalyptic gameplay set in gloomy underground environments. Fallout 76: The Pitt is arriving in Sept. 2022, and it's coming to Xbox consoles and PC. — Zachary Boddy

Overwatch 2 goes free-to-play, gains release date, and announces new hero Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming team-based shooter had a lot to say during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Overwatch 2 is going free-to-play, is officially releasing on Oct. 4, 2022 on Xbox consoles and PC, and revealed a brand-new addition to the expanding roster: The Wastelander. — Zachary Boddy

Microsoft Flight Simulator adds Halo Infinite's Pelican as a free add-on Halo fans wanting to take to the skies in a Pelican don't have to wait any longer, as Microsoft Flight Simulator announced during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase that the iconic space-bound vehicle is now available as a free add-on for all players. As expected for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Pelican looks incredible when flying around the beautifully rendered world. — Zachary Boddy

Forza Motorsport shows off stunning 4K gameplay, breaks down game features The highly-anticipated flagship simulation racer game from Turn10 Studios and Xbox Game Studios, Forza Motorsport, revealed a ton of footage during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, with stunning 4K gameplay. Turn10 Studios also discussed a ton of features and gameplay mechanics, including on-track real-time ray-tracing, enhanced simulation features, and much more. Forza Motorsport looks genuinely incredible, with substantial leaps forward in a wide variety of systems. Forza Motorsport is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will come to Xbox and PC Game Pass on day one, with a Spring 2023 release window. — Zachary Boddy

A Plague Tale: Requiem shows off new gameplay footage A Plague Tale: Requiem, coming to Xbox and PC Game Pass, showed nail-biting, rat-filled gameplay during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022. While no release date was revealed, the sequel is still slated for a release later this year across the entire Xbox family. — Zachary Boddy

Riot Games titles, including League of Legends, coming to PC Game Pass In a surprise reveal, Riot Games stole the show at Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022 to treat PC players, announcing that five titles across PC and mobile are coming to PC Game Pass or gaining exclusive perks through the subscription service, including Leage of Legends. — Zachary Boddy

Justin Roiland's new game, High on Life, coming exclusively to Xbox and PC this year Justin Roiland, the mind behind Rick and Morty, and his studio Squanch Games revealed their latest project during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. High on Life follows the story of a young high school graduate charged with protecting the world from the invasion of an alien cartel, with an arsenal of talking guns to assist them. High on Life is a comedic first-person shooter spanning multiple planets, and it's arriving as an Xbox console exclusive on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. High on Life is slated to release in late 2022, although an exact release date is currently not available. — Zachary Boddy

Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming to Xbox Game Pass day one Matching rumors predating the show, the highly-anticipated platformer Hollow Knight: Silksong is officially coming to Xbox and PC Game Pass on day one. Xbox, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming support were also confirmed, making it easy to jump into the upcoming title the moment it releases. — Zachary Boddy

Redfall gets gameplay trailer The opening salvo for the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase is none other than Redfall, the upcoming co-op shooter from Arkane. The vampiric shooter showcased plenty of slick-looking, goretastic, pre-release gameplay in its latest trailer. — Zachary Boddy

And we’re live! Microsoft’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase is now underway, bringing us 90 minutes of Xbox gaming news and announcements. While you can find the YouTube broadcast at the top of this feed, we’ll also be updating this feed with new announcements, if you’re unable to tune into the live show. Redfall from Arkane Austin is up first! — Matt Brown

T-minus 10 minutes until the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase begins. While we have our assumptions as to what the event could include, Microsoft has managed to maintain a relatively leak-free show, with some surprises undoubtedly in store. Any guesses for what the show will open with this year? — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central) "Today is really a gameplay show,” says Xbox head Phil Spencer The upcoming Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will lean heavier into Xbox gameplay, Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer has stated. "Today is really a gameplay show,” Spencer said in an Xbox FanFest stream ahead of the event. It suggests the company plans to deliver fewer CGI trailers during its 2022 live show. The statement follows criticism from viewers over past Xbox press conferences, some of which heavily featured pre-rendered trailers, often detached from the experiences offered by the final product. A promising sign, for sure. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Ebb Software) Xbox survival horror ‘Scorn’ releases October 21, 2022 Upcoming Xbox console exclusive “Scorn” looks set to release on October 21, 2022, according to information obtained via a new SteamDB listing. First spotted on Reddit ahead of the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, the database for the Steam storefront now lists a release date for the Ebb Software project alongside a handful of new screenshots. Scorn appeared way back at Microsoft’s first Xbox Series X gameplay showcase, launching exclusively on Microsoft’s latest-generation machines and Windows PCs. The survival horror project made its name with its gore-heavy showing, drawing influences of artist H. R. Giger, best known for work on Alien. Scorn also joins the growing list of titles headed to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service from launch day. We expect to learn more about Scorn during today's showcase. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Growing doubts over 'Avowed' appearance at Xbox & Bethesda Showcase With the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase only hours away, we’re starting to better understand which Xbox titles could be present at today’s event. Avowed, the latest new IP from Obsidian Entertainment, was among the front runners to make an appearance at the show, with few details since its reveal in 2020. It’s now looking increasingly likely that the sci-fi RPG won’t make this year’s showcase. Yesterday we discussed rumors that Avowed could be skipping this year’s Xbox & Bethesda Showcase — much to the disappointment of RPG fans. In a now-deleted post on Twitter, Bloomberg reporter, Jason Schreier, states Avowed has undergone “some reboots and changed directors pretty recently," implying the title won’t be ready anytime soon. With no word on its presence from Microsoft, it might be worth tempering your expectations before the show begins. Update: This post has been updated to reflect the deletion of Schreier's tweet. — Matt Brown

How to watch the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase kicks off later today at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST, with a live broadcast available to watch the announcements in real-time. Links for the 90-minute show on Xbox YouTube and Xbox Twitch channels are now available, with streaming also supported via Xbox Events app on Xbox consoles, and other popular social media platforms. You can check our full guide on streaming the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase for all the latest details. If you can't tune in live, don't fret, we'll be reporting all the latest news as the event unfolds. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central) Morning, and welcome to day three of our live coverage on the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. We’re now less than 12 hours away from the big event, where Microsoft and various third-party studios will detail what Xbox fans can expect in 2022 and 2023. We’ll be reporting on what’s to come today, with up-to-the-minute breaking news updates once the live show commences, so you don’t miss a thing. For those just joining us, Microsoft’s event remains mostly under wraps, likely allowing for some unexpected appearances during the 95-minute show. We understand Bethesda’s upcoming RPG Starfield will play a prominent role with an extensive gameplay demo. Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and other Microsoft properties should also be present, with the firm committing to at least five new games over the next 12 months. The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase could also hold some surprises, from a reported deal with revered developer Hideo Kojima to a planned revival of the Banjo Kazooie platforming series. We also know Microsoft plans to save some news for an “extended” showcase scheduled for the same time on June 14. Join the discussion and let us know what you hope to see via our Windows Central Discord. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: ATLUS) More rumors abound: Avowed to skip the show? Persona to fill in? Following on from fresh rumors of Banjo Kazooie or Hideo Kojima's Overdose, we now have even more intriguing possibilities as we head ever closer towards the Xbox showcase. Reporter Tom Henderson who shares a wealth of inside information on the video game industry took questions on a live stream yesterday. While emphasizing very heavily that he was intentionally being vague and didn't want to spoil the show, some of his responses could be interpreted (at least loosely) as hints on what to expect, and what not to expect. He said that he was "avowed" not to mention games that are skipping the showcase, which could be a tease that RPG Avowed won't show up, although it could also be taken as simply fun trolling, too. Henderson however more definitively suggested Hideo Kojima of Death Stranding and Metal Gear fame will be present at the show, simply to announce that he is working with Xbox. More and more hints seem to be appearing that Hideo's leaked horror game "Overdose" may be tied to Xbox, following earlier rumors that Kojima is indeed working with Microsoft. Tantalizing for JRPG fans, Henderson also responded to questions about Persona by saying "I don't want to leak the whole show," while hesitating through a laugh. Could this be a hint that finally Sega's Atlus team has decided to play nice with Xbox? I want to believe. Finally, an account that leaked the recent PlayStation State of Play in its entirety teased that Overwatch 2 is going free to play. Given Microsoft's relationship with Activision Blizzard, there's a chance we could see a glimpse of it at the show, but Overwatch 2 is gearing up for its own reveal live stream later next week as well. Only 12 hours left to find out what's in store. — Jez Corden

(Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.) Hideo Kojima reportedly to unveil Xbox horror game at Xbox Showcase While the focus of the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase lies with their respective teams, it also appears Microsoft could reveal an unexpected partnership this week. Multiple reports allude to an unannounced deal between the software giant and Kojima Productions, with development underway on an Xbox-exclusive project from the Japanese studio. With development led by Hideo Kojima, a revered figure within the industry, the partnership alone would be huge for the Xbox brand. The title would mark the studio’s second project as an independent team, following the 2019 release of Death Stranding and previous work on Konami's Metal Gear games. Death Stranding was a PlayStation 4-exclusive title at launch, later followed by PS5 and PC versions. Reports on the deal first surfaced in 2021, stating Microsoft looks to publish the next project from Kojima Productions, incorporating technologies from the firm’s Azure cloud services. The project is named “Overdose” according to a recent TryHardGuides report, tapping into the horror genre, and starring Margaret Qualley. The outlet later stated Kojima Productions asked for the report’s removal, lending credence to the enclosed details. It's unclear whether Hideo Kojima or “Overdose” will make an appearance this Sunday, though multiple outlets now report some form of agreement has been reached. But if Microsoft takes to the stage with a Kojima collaboration, and it's looking increasingly likely, what's shown will undoubtedly be a highlight of the show. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Future) Future Games Show 2022 presented more upcoming Xbox indies It's not the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, but there was still plenty to excite Xbox players during GamesRadar's Future Games Show 2022. The event was packed from beginning to end with imminent indie games, and some genuinely looked incredible. One game, Turbo Golf Racing, is heading to Xbox and PC Game Pass on day one, while other intriguing Xbox-bound games like The Entropy Center, The Last Faith, Serial Cleaners, Arctic Awakening, and Planet of Lana gained new trailers and gameplay footage. Future Games Show 2022 was a good precursor to the major announcements expected from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, especially for fans of unique indie titles. — Zachary Boddy

(Image credit: Microsoft) Banjo Kazooie to appear at Xbox & Bethesda Showcase, says report Could we see Banjo Kazooie at the show? That's on the cards according to game developer and YouTuber ModernVintageGaming (also known as MVG). Speaking on Nate The Hate's podcast, MVG claimed in no uncertain terms that beloved platforming franchise Banjo Kazooie will be present at the show in some form. "Banjo will be at this show, and it will be announced. I have spoken to a lot of people, I’m not an insider, I’m a developer. But sometimes I hear things and I was at GDC earlier this year and there were some people talking about Banjo." MVG continued, "something is happening with Banjo, what I can’t tell you is what that is." Microsoft is clearly intent on bringing Banjo back in some way, otherwise, I don't think they would have antagonized fans by including the bird and the bear in Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch. Microsoft has not shied away from diving into their back catalog of IP, admitting that they want to do "something" with dormant fighting franchise Killer Instinct, while investing heavily in rebooting Age of Empires on the side too. I haven't heard anything about this particular rumor on my end, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. I give this rumor 3 shrimps out of 5. 🍤🍤🍤 — Jez Corden

We’re now less than 24 hours out from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, where Microsoft and its partners will spend an hour and a half discussing the future of Xbox. We’re seeing various developers within Xbox Game Studios alluding to appearances during the event, with speculation rife on social media and online forums. However, Microsoft’s biggest announcements still remain under wraps, with no significant leaks circulating ahead of the show. While it might not stay that way, all eyes are shifting to the final broadcast. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Microsoft) Gearing up for Xboxmas T'was the night before Xboxmas, and all through the house... nothing was stirring, not even an RGB mouse. It 'tis I, your affable Xbox editor over here at Windows Central, gearing up for a weekend of previews, news blowouts, and honest-to-goodness marketing. That's right, it's E3 season once again (don't call it E3, though), headlined by the big Xbox and Bethesda Showcase. For once, I actually know zero about what will be at the show, as I emphasized in Xbox & Bethesda preview predictions earlier this week. I know a few things that definitely won't be there though. You certainly shouldn't expect Fable or Perfect Dark to appear, as both titles are still deep in development and this show is expected to generally feature titles launching within the next fiscal year (the next 12 months essentially). There also won't be a so-called "Gears Collection" remastering the first few games, despite rumors to the contrary. I've been told by trusted sources that this project doesn't actually exist right now — but that doesn't mean it couldn't in the future. Another interesting tidbit that emerged this week was the possibility of a Minecraft RTS or strategy game. I've since linked it to a dormant codename I had here called Badger, which is a companion to Blackbird Interactive's codename Squirrel otherwise known as the doomed mobile project Minecraft Earth. It seems that Blackbird's experience with Minecraft Earth may have made them the perfect candidate to build a Minecraft strategy game, that will no doubt have mobile leanings perhaps akin to Clash of Clans or so, if one is to speculate. Could we see it at the showcase, though? It's possible, but I also think it's more likely a project like this might debut at a Minecon Live event instead. In any case, it's going to be a fun show, with a diverse range of games from studios both huge and small, with a heavy focus on Xbox Game Pass titles. Keep it locked to Windows Central as we continue to update our coverage across the coming days. — Jez Corden, Windows Central Senior Xbox Editor

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Forza Motorsport set to make a splash at Xbox & Bethesda event It's well-known that Turn10 Studios and Xbox Game Studios are working on a Forza Motorsport reboot, which aims to rebuild the legendary racing franchise from the ground up on a brand-new ForzaTech engine. Unfortunately, nearly two years after its initial teaser reveal, we still don't know much about the enigmatic simulation racing game. The road to the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase has been rife with conjecture and speculation, and one of the more prevalent rumors was that Forza Motorsport would finally make an appearance, possibly with a release date announcement. Nothing has been confirmed, but not only do I think it's probable that Turn10 Studios will take the stage during the event, I sincerely hope it does happen. With Xbox committing to at least five new games from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda in the next 12 months, and the Forza Motorsport reboot supposedly being in development since 2017, everything is lining up for the reimagined racer to strengthen the currently-weak Xbox first-party games lineup in the near future. Considering the delay of Starfield and Redfall into 2023, I'd like to think Forza Motorsport could actually release in late 2022, but it could also arrive at some point in 2023 — we just can't say for certain, right now. When it arrives, Forza Motorsport is expected to take full advantage of current-gen technologies in Xbox Series X|S, as well as launching into Xbox and PC Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and on PC from day one. We know that Forza Motorsport is being developed with the community in mind, with major improvements coming for simulation and driving elements, as well as online multiplayer. — Zachary Boddy

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Is Microsoft ready to show off Halo Infinite's battle royale mode? It’s now been over six months since the launch of Halo Infinite, with hopes the title could make an appearance at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase this weekend. Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries continues work on the live service for its free-to-play multiplayer, with Season 2 currently underway and co-op campaign support set to enter testing this July. 343 Industries has also teamed up with Certain Affinity on future Halo Infinite content, which we understand to be a new battle royale-inspired multiplayer experience, with a Halo twist. First detailed in a report from Senior Xbox Editor Jez Corden in January, the mode is in development under the codename Tatanka, taking on behemoths like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. It’s currently thought that Tatanka could be targeting Season 4, recently delayed to early 2023, following changes to the Halo Infinite roadmap. While 343 Industries likely won’t announce new games this week, a previous teaser implies it could have something to show at the extended June 14 broadcast. — Matt Brown

Morning! We’re just getting started with our second day of coverage around this weekend’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. I’m logging on earlier than the rest of the team from London, getting caught up on the latest overnight developments, ahead of what could be a busy day leading up to tomorrow’s big show. We recently learned the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will run for around 95 minutes, suggesting the duo has a packed event in the works. While the June 12 broadcast will host the heavy hitters, don’t forget Microsoft has a second event with 90 extra minutes to follow on June 14. We're also seeing some alleged "leaks" for the Xbox event circulating online this morning, mostly entirely fake. However, if you're wanting to go in blind this weekend, we recommend going offline ASAP. We'll continue to bring the latest, as it happens. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks LLC) Indiana Jones might be returning for the Xbox Showcase While it’s unclear which Microsoft-owned studios have a spot during Sunday’s showcase, MachineGames, best known for its work on Wolfenstein games, could be among those featured. MachineGames has now commented on the upcoming Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, fuelling speculation of an appearance during the show. “We are so excited for Sundays [sic] showcase,” the developer stated via LinkedIn. “Hope you all are ready for it!” MachineGames joined Xbox as a part of its Bethesda acquisition, with work underway on a licensed Indiana Jones game with Lucasfilm. The show could provide an update on the project following its 2021 reveal, if set to coincide with the next Indiana Jones movie scheduled for next June. It’s also speculated that a third installment in the modern Wolfenstein series could be in the pipeline, following the 2017 release of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: @aarongreenberg | Twitter) The Xbox & Bethesda Showcase will run for 95 minutes, says Microsoft Those who have been speculating the length of the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase need wonder no more. The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will run for approximately 95 minutes, according to a new Twitter post from Xbox's GM of marketing, Aaron Greenberg. That's just over an hour and a half of non-stop announcements and trailers for upcoming Xbox games. While we now have a runtime, we're still left guessing which games will make an appearance this Sunday. Don't forget that Microsoft is hosting an extended showcase on June 14, around 90 minutes in length, which is expected to provide a deeper dive into some of the games shown during the main event. — Zachary Boddy

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels DLC leaks ahead of reveal A few weeks ago, I discussed what Playground Games may be planning for the first Forza Horizon 5 DLC expansion. Now, just days ahead of the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, a premature update to the game's Steam listing has leaked a Hot Wheels-themed Forza Horizon 5 expansion. While Microsoft was quick to remove the promotion assets, you can't erase them from the internet. It appears Playground Games is partnering with the Mattel brand once again on a Hot Wheels crossover, harkening back to the days of Forza Horizon 3. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but it seems likely that Forza Horizon 5 will make an appearance during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase to unveil the new DLC. We can also expect more details about what's included and when the expansion will be available. — Zachary Boddy

(Image credit: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.) Xbox Cloud Gaming TV app launches on Samsung TVs this month Xbox Cloud Gaming continues to expand at a steady pace, with mobiles, PCs, and Xbox consoles now hooked into Microsoft’s streaming platform. TVs are the latest joining its growing cloud empire, thanks to a new Xbox TV app headed to Samsung’s 2022 TV range from June 30. Microsoft has also confirmed plans to launch a streaming-only Xbox device further down the line, internally dubbed Xbox “Keystone,” posing a more affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem. Microsoft continues to push Xbox Cloud Gaming as its next major innovation, streaming Xbox games over the internet with low latency, in tandem with its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. These now fall under “Xbox Everywhere,” an umbrella term for its up-and-coming ecosystem, breaking away from traditional console hardware. Xbox Cloud Gaming will likely play a pivotal role during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, helping its future games catalog reach the widest possible audience. Expect Xbox Cloud Gaming to make frequent appearances this weekend, alongside its latest Xbox Series X|S consoles. — Matt Brown

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks) Xbox to 'meet or exceed' 5 new games in the next 12 months Microsoft is heading into the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase this weekend after committing to at least five new games over the next 12 months. In a statement to press ahead of the Sunday broadcast, the company stated it plans to "meet or exceed" the number of new games released in its last fiscal year. That implies Xbox and Bethesda will deliver five or more projects before June 2023. The announcement suggests we could see more hard release dates during Microsoft’s June 12 conference, including titles planned for later this year. Following delays to Starfield and Redfall, Redmond has found itself with a hole in its content calendar for the remainder of 2022. Forza Motorsport could help fill the gap, and we’re expecting to learn more about other titles to come in the near future. — Matt Brown

Greetings! It's an incredibly exhilarating time of year for Xbox and PC gamers, with the much-hyped Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase right around the corner. I'll be updating this space with all the latest announcements and reveals as we get them, and I may share some of my own thoughts, as well. I lead much of the coverage for Minecraft, Forza Horizon, and Forza Motorsport here at Windows Central, but I'm also a fan of all things "video games," and especially of Xbox. I'm excited to see what's in store in the coming weeks. — Zachary Boddy, Windows Central Gaming News Writer

(Image credit: Activision) Summer Game Fest brought Xbox Game Pass announcements In case you missed it, Summer Game Fest, the inaugural gaming event of the not-E3-but-still-sorta-E3 season, recently brought a handful of new gaming announcements ahead of the Xbox & Bethesda showcase. You can catch up on all the Summer Game Fest announcements in our full event round-up. Highlights of the event for Xbox owners included the first gameplay demos for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and The Callisto Protocol, plus a new trailer for Marvel's Midnight Suns. Xbox Game Pass also received several new day-one additions, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge on June 16, and Routine, an upcoming sci-fi horror game with a score from DOOM’s Mick Gordon. Microsoft’s limited showing also suggests it’s holding back those heavy hitters, only raising expectations for the June 12 showcase. — Matt Brown