What we're expecting (and not expecting) from Microsoft's X018 Xbox event

This year, Microsoft is reviving X0, its previous almanac Xbox effect of yesteryear. Microsoft gaming head Phil Spencer appear the news on Inside Xbox a few weeks back, detailing a fleck about the history of the testify, and what fans tin expect.

The most recent X0 event took identify eight years agone in 2022, in San Francisco. Since and so, Microsoft largely stuck to E3 and occasionally Gamescom for making headline announcements, with the odd one-off event appearing hither and at that place. It sounded every bit though Microsoft wants to begin doing X0 events on an almanac footing once again, which historically take place in diverse locations throughout the world. X0 2022 volition take place in Mexico Urban center on November 10th. There volition be a special two hour long Inside Xbox alive stream during the event, where y'all can expect major "E3-level" announcements. Spencer noted that previously at X0, Microsoft appear the acquisition of Rare. Acquisitions indeed...

And so, let's explore some of the rumors and things we can realistically expect. One affair'south for sure, though. With this new Xbox; expect the unexpected.

Games, games, games

Equally always, up front and centre is going to be games, addressing the noisiest criticisms of Xbox to date. While Microsoft has firmly locked down industry-leading 3rd-party games with its Xbox One X console, in that location remains the question of exclusive titles. Microsoft has already shown a ton of intent to invest in this area, acquiring studios like Ninja Theory, Coercion Games, and more than. Notwithstanding, we still don't really have a clue what the Xbox landscape is going to look like, in terms of exclusives, beyond 2022. Microsoft has recently stated that in that location are no plans to include Halo Infinite in the prove, just who knows?

Crackdown 3

You can well-nigh certainly await to see Crackdown 3 showcased at X0, considering Xbox Mexico noted it would be playable for attendees.

Crackdown 3 has endured volatile dev history, with rumors of "development hell" and so on. Information technology often feels like the media have already written Crackdown 3 off, due to rough, early on demo builds and a lack of communication and marketing from the game. Sumo Digital is leading evolution on the game, putting on the finishing touches ahead of the game's planned February 2022 launch window.

X0 will be the last existent opportunity for Microsoft to showcase Crackdown 3 on a grander phase, particularly when you lot consider it's going up against both Metro Exodus and Anthem, launching in the same calendar month. Everything we've heard about the game in the past year has been largely positive, detailing expanded features, smoother gameplay, and yes, the inclusion of the promised cloud-powered destruction. Wait to become an thought of what the finished version of Crackdown 3 will look similar at X018.

Age of Empires IV

While at that place'southward a singled-out possibility that information technology's nonetheless a little too early on, we might get to see a glimpse of Relic Amusement'south take on Age of Empires. Microsoft appear Age of Empires Iv at Gamescom over a yr ago, and we haven't heard much near the project ever since.

With the advent of mouse and keyboard back up making its mode over to Xbox, perhaps we'll discover out if the legendary RTS will make its return not just on PC, simply on console besides.

Gears Tactics

Speaking of PC gaming, there's also a distinct possibility we'll find out more about Splash Impairment's upcoming XCOM-like tactics game, set in the Gears of War universe.

This game so far has only been appear for PC, but we've heard apparent rumors that it's also slated for Xbox downwardly the line, in like fashion to the mod XCOM games that inspired it.

Gears 5

Likewise expect to come across a new gameplay demonstration for Gears 5 from The Coalition. Gears 5 looks equally though it could expand upon the classic Gears of War cover-based shooter formula, ditching linearity for wider maps and other fresh mechanics. As one of Microsoft'southward best-known gaming franchises, information technology's about time Gears of State of war modernized and evolved to compete with similar titles out at that place, and hopefully, nosotros'll see a scrap of this at X018.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Expect to meet more than from Ori and the Volition of the Wisps, which is already shaping up nicely if my hands-on from Gamescom is annihilation to get by.

So far, Moon Studios has detailed some of the fresh features nosotros tin expect from the stunning Metroidvania-like platformer, including improved weapon-based gainsay, and the Spirit Trials connected races, but I think it's off-white to expect fifty-fifty more than surprise gameplay features for fans of the franchise.

Fable?

One of the biggest rumors revolving around Microsoft's first-political party games lineup pertains to Fable, and the existence thereof. We've heard that the game is indeed in development, at the expanding Playground Games, typically known for the Forza Horizon games.

Whether or non Microsoft is gear up to break its silence on this during X0 is unknown, but it would be a pretty awesome place to exercise so.

Other games expectations and rumors

Some of the other bets include new Sea of Thieves DLC and content, likely showcased during the event. Nosotros've also heard that Microsoft isn't washed with Country of Disuse 2, despite having delivered all of the previously-announced content, although it might exist too early for an announcement at this fourth dimension. Some big third-party studios might join the fray to showcase gameplay footage of upcoming titles, particularly if they're in marketing deals with Microsoft, such as Metro Exodus. There'due south likewise a chance we could even see some games launched right at the show, such as Cadaverous, which mysteriously still doesn't have an official release date.

Gears POP for mobile devices might be given a spotlight, and we might hear more about the Battletoads project, previously announced at E3 2022. Information technology's also fair to expect a showcase for upcoming ID@Xbox titles as well, as per tradition from E3. We might also begin hearing about games that plan to support mouse and keyboard on Xbox One, to join Warframe and Minecraft.

Ane of the wilder, potentially less-probable reveals for X0 nosotros've been excavation into include a follow up to Killer Instinct, which we've heard repeatedly over the past few months is still being explored past Microsoft. But who knows? Microsoft'southward state of war breast is open, and they could certainly surprise us.

New Microsoft game studios

Nosotros might go a broader update on what Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Playground Games, and Undead Labs are up to, since joining Microsoft. Nosotros've already mentioned how Playground Games is likely working on Fable 4 and how Undead Labs is continuing with its back up of Country of Decay 2, still, we don't know a great bargain nearly Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, or indeed, the mysterious new "AAAA" studio "The Initiative," led by Darrell Gallagher of Tomb Raider fame.

Exclusive content could brand or break Microsoft'due south gaming ambitions.

The transition from independent studio to starting time-party is no doubt disruptive. At least in Ninja Theory'south example, the company is having an all-new HQ constructed, as recently as last July. Microsoft has also taken a lot of criticism for announcing Crackdown three too early on, and so I wouldn't exist surprised if nosotros don't hear more about what these studios are working on at X0.

Some other hot topic revolves around acquisitions. It felt like little coincidence that Phil Spencer mentioned the Rare acquisition at a previous X0 event during this year'southward X0 declaration. Ane of the studios we've heard is in the running for an conquering is Obsidian Entertainment, known for Fallout New Vegas (ahem, the all-time Fallout), and more recently Pillars of Eternity. Another possibility we've been digging into is Turtle Rock Studios, known for Evolve and more than prominently, Left 4 Dead.

Indeed, every bit Microsoft moves deeper into subscription-style services on the dorsum of Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud'southward internet game streaming, exclusive content could make or break Microsoft's gaming ambitions equally they gear up to compete with Google's Project Stream, and any Amazon is cooking upward. Speaking of which ...

Project xCloud

Projection xCloud was offset teased at E3 2022 and subsequently revealed, following Google'south own annunciation for pursuing net-based game streaming to mobiles and other devices. Getting AAA games onto mobile devices is the adjacent big shift for the core gaming industry, allowing them to ensure abiding engagement with their corresponding audiences. Who knows? They might also convert some Processed Beat casuals in the process.

Because Microsoft is planning to debut beta testing for xCloud in early 2022, it might be pertinent for Redmond to detail a picayune more virtually how information technology will piece of work. Volition they provide accessories to help you lot clip your phone to an Xbox controller? Volition they brand a Nintendo Switch-similar game streaming-focused Windows tablet? There are then many mysteries surrounding xCloud right at present, and it's downwards to Microsoft to decide when to clear things up.

"Scarlett" and the next Xbox

Nosotros've heard that Microsoft'south "Scarlett" side by side-gen Xbox family is targeting a 2022 holiday season launch date, and will be comprised of multiple devices. Whether that includes a traditional console and a streaming-focused device like the cancelled Projection Hobart stick, nosotros're unsure.

There's always a distinct possibility that Microsoft will over again tease the adjacent-gen Xbox, peculiarly if they talk almost xCloud. Microsoft will be groovy to stress they have no intentions of abandoning traditional console hardware, and intend to maintain the power advantage over PlayStation into the foreseeable hereafter.

Wait the unexpected

In my previous E3 2022 predictions I took a more than conservative position when it came to announcements. But it's quite apparent that Microsoft'southward wallet is at present open and ready to create big surprises, as it gears up to compete with Google and other tech giants as the next war front in gaming begins to open up.

After dropping our collective jaws at E3 2022 with the rapid-fire studio acquisition segment, a prominent Xbox exec sent me a message noting "this is only the start." If indeed, Microsoft is gunning to become a global gaming powerhouse, serious, smart investment is required, and we've already begun to meet the foundation of that pivot. For so long gaming felt similar a side project at Microsoft, only at present that the Xbox division has a seat on the senior leadership tablet at Redmond, it'due south fair to expect that the future is very brilliant indeed.