Skip to main content

Microsoft will hold a second Xbox showcase this week

Xbox and Bethesda’s big E3 press conference on Sunday featured a ton of game announcements. However, Xbox isn’t quite done just yet. Microsoft announced a second showcase this week at 10 a.m. PT on Thursday, June 17.

Xbox Games Conference: Extended will take a deeper look at the Xbox and Bethesda games that were announced this past Sunday. It has already been confirmed that Double Fine, Rare, Ninja Theory, and many other developers will have representation at this showcase. This means we will hopefully get more information about games like Psychonauts 2 and the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean-themed season 3 for Sea of Thieves.

Ninja Theory is an interesting addition to the showcase, as it’s only announcement came during the Square Enix conference with its Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins. This likely means that the developer will be talking about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, a game that was heavily hinted to be shown off at this year’s E3 but hasn’t been yet.

Obsidian is also slated to appear at the Xbox Games Conference: Extended event. During the first showcase, Obsidian only had a teaser trailer for its upcoming game The Outer Wilds 2. The teaser trailer even claimed that the game has practically nothing prepared yet, so don’t expect to see anything new about The Outer Wilds 2. Expect a developer interview focused on the potential road map for the game.

Not much else is known about this upcoming showcase happening this Thursday. It has not been confirmed if we will see anything new from the showcase in terms of game footage. It is possible that the stream will only show the same trailers that were revealed on Sunday, plus the added bonus of an in-depth interview with some of the developers of the game.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Zucosky
Andrew has been playing video games since he was a small boy, and he finally got good at them like a week ago. He has been in…
Microsoft’s price hike on Xbox games will apply to PC, Steam
Redfall Cover

Microsoft confirmed to Digital Trends that the impending price increase on its first-party games will apply to its PC releases as well. The change will happen in 2023 and affect upcoming titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.

This morning, IGN reported that Microsoft will be raising the prices of Xbox Series X|S games from $60 to $70. Digital Trends asked Microsoft if this would also apply to the PC versions of its games. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Yes, starting in 2023, our new, full-priced games will be $69.99 across console and PC storefronts. This price reflects the content, scale, and complexity of these titles, regardless of platform. These games will also be available on day one with Game Pass.”

Read more
Deathloop comes to Xbox and Game Pass next week with Goldenloop update
Deathloop main characters

Developer Arkane Studios and publisher Bethesda announced that Deathloop will be coming to Xbox Series X/S and PC via the Microsoft Store on September 20. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.

Alongside the Xbox release, there is a new Goldenloop update. It includes PvP matchmaking between all platforms across PlayStation, PC, and Xbox. The Xbox and PC versions will also have cross-purchase and cross-save functionality.

Read more
Xbox and the Special Olympics are leading an esports ‘inclusion revolution’
Three shoutcasters on couches.

The Gaming for Inclusion event is hosting its second annual tournament on September 10 and 17 in collaboration between Xbox and Special Olympics. The goal of Gaming for Inclusion is the result of multiple years of collaboration between Microsoft and the Special Olympics that dates back to 2018. The two have partnered to create numerous events, but when COVID forced so many Special Olympic events to be cancelled, a new, greater need for virtual ways for people to connect was needed.

I spoke with Special Olympics CTO Prianka Nandy and last year's Rocket League champion Billy Seide to learn about the initiative that's looking to expand the reach of esports to all players.
Widening esports
For Nandy, the event was a new way to bring the mission of Special Olympics to the public, especially for youth, in a new and exciting way. Aside from giving those with learning disabilities a platform to compete, connect, and learn, it also aims to break down boundaries by hosting Unified brackets where one Special Olympics athlete and one celebrity, such as a WWE wrestler or social media influencer, team up to compete together.

Read more