Lords of Gaming’s Predictions and Expectations of the Xbox Showcase

The Xbox Games Showcase is premiering in just a few days. Outside of the annual Call of Duty, everything and anything could or could not be on the table. There are so many rumors, and so much speculation on what people could see on Sunday. From the next Gears of War, more of Fable, to maybe State of Decay 3? There is so much to wonder about, and we at Lords of Gaming came together to share what we think could be coming.

Doom, Diablo, and Gears of Wars, From Mahmood Ghaffar, Editor-in-Chief

Let’s get the easy ones out of the way, we will definitely see more of the three remaining first-party titles from the Developer Direct earlier this year. There are already an absurd number of leaks that suggest that we will see the latest DOOM: The Dark Ages, Towerborne shadow drop, and possibly a hint of the upcoming Xbox handheld. 

Expect to finally see what The Coalition is up to, whether that be Gears 6 or the long-suggested Gears of War collection, the UE wizards will likely show off something. There will also be definitive release dates for both Blizzard expansions in Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred and World of Warcraft: The War Within.  We will also get deeper looks at Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and STALKER 2. Especially the latter since it’s due to release on September 5. 

Since 2024 is the year of Call of Duty Black Ops, I expect previous Black Ops titles to hit Game Pass shortly after the showcase. But the most important and frankly most exciting thing about the Xbox Showcase is that Game Pass subscribers will have tons to play without having to buy more games a la carte. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your gaming.

Stalker 2, Ark 2, and Zenimax’s New MMO at the Xbox Showcase, From Billy the Brewer, Associate Author

The buzz surrounding the xbox games showcase this weekend is palpable. The Xbox team has had some highs and some very low lows thus far in 2024. So, while there is excitement in the air, there is also a hint of apprehension. Let us push all that aside for a moment and focus on the excitement that is the predictions of the future of video games on the Xbox platform. Here I will share what I feel confident we will see at the showcase, what my realistic hopes are, and finally my moon shot.

For my highest confidence levels of games we will see at this year’s Xbox Games Showcase, we’ll get more gameplay and release dates for Avowed and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. We’ll also get more gameplay for Star Wars: Outlaws, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. We’ll also see what Zenimax has for Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 and upcoming content of Rare’s Sea of Thieves. With the acquisition of Activision finalized we’ll also see content from those teams as well. Black Ops 6’s October 2024 release date will be revealed alongside gameplay, it will also be coming to gamepass day one.

My realistic hopes of what we can see at the showcase are as follows. Gears of War 6, we’ll get gameplay and more than likely a 2025 release for the next title in the Gears of War franchise. Stalker 2 and Replaced gameplay and 2025 release windows will be shown. Let’s also get our first looks at Rare’s Everwild,  Studio Wildcard’s Ark 2, and Avalanche’s Contraband.

I typically set realistic goals for myself in life, but the end of this write up is not one of those times. My reaching for the stars hopes of what we will see at the showcase is gameplay and 2025 release window for Playground Game’s Fable, I’ve grown up with this franchise and I am itching to get my hands on it. We know that Zenimax is also working on a new original IP. So, let’s make it a fantasy-based action RPG, let’s make it an MMO, and let’s shadow drop it on Sunday.

Lock in my predictions for just a bit of what we will see on Sunday, and follow along with all of us at Lords of Gaming for more coverage, and see how many of our predictions come to fruition!

Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remaster, and Final Fantasy 16, from Chris Jones, Co-Community Manager, and Senior Author

When it comes to the Xbox Showcase this year there are many things we can expect to see. The obvious, Call of Duty will be shown off and they will hype up the fact it will be in Game Pass Day 1. I believe we will see something to do with Gears 6. Probably a little tease and maybe a Gears Collection announcement. I also think there will be an official window or release announcement for the Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remaster along with showing what Zenimax’s new MMO might be.

In addition to those I believe we will see something to do with a Xbox Handheld and more about a Game Pass app on TVs. But my big prediction for the showcase is an announcement on when Final Fantasy 16 will be coming to Xbox and Persona 6 Game Pass announcement.

Indiana Jones, and Star Wars: Total War from Jacob MacDonald, Associate Author

When it comes to my own predictions for the Xbox Summer Showcase, I think the cat is out of the bag on a few of them. Before their appearances were all but confirmed by leaks, I felt both Doom and Gears of War had to show up. Both franchises have had plenty of time to cook something new up for their fans.

Starting off small, I think viewers will get a more in-depth look at both Indiana Jones and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. They should both be set to release around Holiday 2024. Avowed will likely make an appearance as well to show off some more focused gameplay. I think all three of these will get release dates revealed at the show.

With regard to bigger-ticket items, I feel Fable might skip out on the show altogether. I think they’ll have more to show closer to 2025 in a Developer Direct. I’m guessing 2K will tease Mafia 4, though they will also be at Summer Games Fest beforehand. Selfishly, I hope the recently rumored Star Wars Total War title is shown off. Creative Assembly pumps out a lot of Total War games, so a Star Wars instalment shouldn’t take eons to develop.

A Little Fable, a Little Atlus, and a Whole lot of Square Enix at the Xbox Showcase, from Joseph Repko, Co-Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Wednesday night was pretty magical for me. Considering the long awaited Octopath Traveler 2 Xbox port finally released on the platform. As well as a new update for that game after being out for about 15 months. So, considering their recent partnership with Square Enix. I would like to go against the grain here, and say that the rest of the HD-2D games will come to Xbox. This includes Triangle Strategy and Live A Live. It may also surprise and delight JRPG fans on Xbox to get the Pixel Remaster Collection. 

As someone who is also recently converted to the cult of Atlus. I think we should see another big trailer for Metaphor: ReFantazio, and maybe an announcement of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance going into Game Pass day 1. The latter has already been debunked, but due to the series being practically unknown to the Xbox audience. It would benefit the game immensely from the virality effect Game Pass gives games naturally. Especially from those who are seeking “Demonic Pokémon” to go alongside Palworld.

But one major expectation as someone who played Xbox when he should have been outside more playing with dirt is a more in-depth reveal of Fable. So far, what the moment-to-moment gameplay is like, and what the scale of the world will be, remains a mystery. Considering this will be the next hallmark title for Xbox as a brand, let alone a console platform. It would be a devastating mistake to keep people like me in suspense when we have waiting almost 15 years for another entry.

But this is all of our expectations of the upcoming Xbox Showcase. You can find the link to watch the show on Sunday here. If you would like to see what we expect from Geoff  Keighleys Summer Games Fest stream later today, you can find it here. Thank you for reading, dear reader!