Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Microsoft outlines its plans for Xbox at Gamescom

Add as a preferred source on Google
The Gamescom Opening Night Live stage.
This story is part of our complete Gamescom 2026 coverage

Microsoft’s press conference at E3 2015 was among its strongest in recent years — Halo 5: Guardians and Gears of War 4 gameplay will certainly do that — but there were a number of Xbox exclusives noticeably missing from the show. Remedy’s Quantum Break was the most notable absence, but Scalebound and Crackdown, which were announced at last year’s E3 conference, were also nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, all three of those games are going to be shown off at the other big summer gaming conference, Gamescom, and Microsoft has announced just what to expect from the company at this year’s event.

On Tuesday, August 4 at 10 a.m. EST, Microsoft will host its Gamescom 2015 Xbox Briefing, and the company promises new information on Quantum Break, Crackdown, and Scalebound. While Quantum Break has been shown off on numerous occasions, including a 16-minute demo back in October, the latter two games have only been announced with cinematic trailers. Microsoft also has some surprise announcements in store, and the show will be available to view on Xbox consoles, Windows Phone, and Xbox.com.

Recommended Videos

If you plan on making the trip to Cologne, Germany for the event, the Xbox booth will be open to the public from Thursday, August 6 until Sunday, August 10, and will offer hands-on access to several Xbox-exclusives, including Forza Motorsport 6 and Rise of the Tomb Raider. As with E3 this year, there will also be an Xbox FanFest event at Gamescom on August 4 and 5, offering “exclusive access” to Xbox games for selected fans.

Microsoft has had to worry about getting “one-upped” by Sony at E3 the past few years, but this won’t be an issue at Gamescom: Sony announced last month that the company won’t be attending the show at all, instead opting to host an event in Paris on October 27 — why does that date sound familiar?

Gabe Gurwin
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Xbox Cloud Gaming could soon let you use your phone as a controller on your TV
Microsoft is testing a new feature that turns your smartphone into a virtual Xbox controller for gaming on supported smart TVs.
Xbox logo 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming already lets you play console games on a compatible smart TV without owning an Xbox. But there's still one piece of hardware you need to get started. A controller. Microsoft is now testing a way to get around that requirement, allowing players to use their Android phone or iPhone as a virtual gamepad. The game runs on the television, while your phone takes care of the controls.

The feature is part of two new Xbox Cloud Gaming previews, and there's an interesting difference compared to what Sony offers with its PS5.

Read more
God of War Laufey runs into a delay, but thankfully, it’s not that bad
It is now expected to land on May 20 next year.
God of War: Laufey

God of War: Laufey is one of the most highly anticipated games out there, and anyone who has been loyal to the PlayStation side of the console wars is waiting for the latest installment in the series. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait a little longer to boot it up on your console. Earlier today, Santa Monica Studio announced that it’s delaying the game, which is now expected to land on May 20 next year.

The studio didn’t give a reason for the delay, but says it will use the extra time to further polish and optimize the game, so it offers players the best experience possible. Below is the full statement released by the studio:

Read more
Microsoft stuffed an Xbox Series X inside an alligator, and you could actually win it
Xbox just made the most Florida gaming console imaginable
Xbox Series X-Bite

A new special edition console from Microsoft isn't something new. Over the years, Xbox consoles have been a part of plenty of limited-edition collaborations, including a controller modeled after Deadpool's backside. But its latest creation just takes the cake.

Microsoft has stuffed an entire Xbox Series X inside a giant alligator, and the fun part is that you could take this monstrosity home. Meet the new Xbox Series X-BITE, a one-of-a-kind console that looks like an alligator swallowed Microsoft's gaming hardware whole. According to Xbox's official announcement, the bizarre creation is part of a special giveaway celebrating the company's upcoming trip to Florida.

Read more