Xbox Showcase 2024 Recap: Exciting Game Reveals

The Xbox Showcase 2024 dazzled fans with over 30 game announcements and unveiled exciting new hardware options, expanding the Xbox Series X|S lineup.

This article focuses on 12 major game announcements and reveals, along with eight game updates and expansions, highlighting the latest developments and what fans can look forward to.

Major Game Reveals & Announcements

In this section, we provide easy-to-digest details for each of the significant game reveals and announcements. Those games are part of a series or franchise that fans eagerly await.

You’ll find information on the release dates, story backgrounds, game types, new notable features, platforms, and Xbox Game Pass availability.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Release Date: October 25

Story: Spy action thriller set in the early 1990s. A mysterious group has infiltrated the U.S. government, forcing players to go rogue.

Type of Game: First-person shooter

New Features:

Omnimovement: Sprint, slide, and dive in any direction.
Classic Prestige: Return of the popular ranking system.
Theater Mode: Allows replay and analysis of gameplay.
Round-Based Zombies: Popular mode returns with new challenges.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC

Xbox Game Pass: Available on day one with select plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, Game Pass Console)

Doom: The Dark Ages

Release Date: 2025

Story: Prequel to Doom (2016). Players battle demonic hordes as the mighty Slayer in an epic tale of gods, kings, and monsters.

Type of Game: Single-player, dark fantasy action first-person shooter

New Features:

Atlan Mech: Colossal mech for battling titanic beasts.
Mecha Dragon: Jet-fueled, cybernetic steed for aerial combat.
Shield Saw: A new throwable weapon.
Flail: A face-shattering weapon.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC

Xbox Game Pass: It will be available on Xbox Game Pass.

Gears of War: E-Day

Release Date: TBA

Story: During the pivotal Emergence Day, 14 years before the original Gears of War. Follow war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they battle the Locust Horde.

Type of Game: Third-person shooter

New Features:

Enhanced Visuals: Using Unreal Engine 5 with 4K resolution and 30 FPS.
Reimagined Music: New instrumental version of ‘Mad World’ by Adam Lastiwka.
Technology: Cutting-edge animation, hardware raytraced lighting, reflections, and shadows.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Available on day one on Xbox Game Pass.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Release Date: November 15

Story: Set in 16th Century Japan. Naoe, a shinobi from Iga, and Yasuke, a samurai and the first fully playable historical figure in Assassin’s Creed.

Type of Game: Action-adventure game.

New Features:

Dual Protagonists: Naoe and Yasuke differ in equipment and abilities, complementing each other.
Wider World: Expansive game world with changing seasons.
Gameplay: First gameplay trailer revealed unique combat styles and an immersive world.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna, and PC

Xbox Game Pass: Not available.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Release Date: TBA

Story: The world of Thedas features rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities. Players will unite and lead a team of seven companions to fight against a pair of corrupt ancient gods who have broken free from centuries of darkness.

Type of Game: Action RPG.

Main Features:

Companions: Seven companions, each with rich backstories, unique abilities, and individual skill trees.
Protagonists: A new hero created by the player, leading the Veilguard.
Combat: Battle demons, dragons, and ancient gods with a customizable team.
Familiar Faces: Returning characters such as the archer Lace Harding.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Not available.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

Release Date: TBA

Story: The beginning of the Metal Gear Solid saga. Players step into the boots of Snake in a high-stakes espionage thriller.

Type of Game: Action-adventure, stealth game.

New Features:

Enhanced Visuals and Sounds: Utilizes the full potential of Unreal Engine 5.
New Camera and Control Layout: Offers a new third-person perspective and intuitive controls.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Not available.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Release Date: Later this year.

Story: Various locations, including the Himalayas. Players become Indiana Jones, facing sinister forces to uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries. An intercepted message sends Indy and Gina on a treacherous trek through the mountains, leading to a startling discovery.

Type of Game: Action-adventure game.

New Features: No specific new features were mentioned.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Play it on day one on Game Pass.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Release Date: October 29 (Ultimate Edition pre-orders can play from October 15).

Story: Several years after the events in Arcadia Bay, at Caledon University. Max Caulfield returns as an artist-in-residence. After her friend Safi is killed, Max uses her ability to Shift timelines to solve the murder mystery, exploring two parallel realities.

Type of Game: Narrative adventure game.

New Features:

Supernatural Twist: Max’s power has evolved from rewinding time to Shifting timelines.
Parallel Realities: Explore two realities to uncover the truth behind Safi’s death.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Xbox Game Pass: Not available.

Perfect Dark

Release Date: TBA

Story: Near-future Earth, impacted by global environmental disasters. Follow secret agent Joanna Dark as she hunts down Daniel Carrington to uncover mysteries behind technological breakthroughs threatening millions.

Type of Game: First-person secret agent thriller.

New Features:

Gameplay: Fluid traversal, parkour abilities, close-quarters combat, gunplay, stealth, and extensive use of gadgets.
Gadgets: Analyze NPC voices for deepfakes, scan NPCs, and create distractions.
Combat: Lethal and non-lethal weaponry, abilities for multi-enemy takedowns, choice of loud or quiet approaches.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

State of Decay 3

Release Date: TBA

Story: Years into the apocalypse with evolving zombie threats. Players must fight back, reclaim lost ground, and build a community of survivalist homesteaders.

Type of Game: Open-world zombie survival game.

New Features:

Gameplay: Brutal combat, cooperative battles, permadeath, and interactive elements like opening car doors to hit zombies.
Shared World: Features a larger, shared, open world with emotional storytelling and context.
Co-op: Enhanced online co-op with flexible shared-world experiences.
Technology: Utilizes Unreal Engine 5 for higher fidelity, reactive combat, and realistic dismemberment.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

Fable

Release Date: 2025

Story: The setting is Albion, with a focus on past heroes and current threats. Humphry, Albion’s once-greatest Hero, is forced out of retirement to combat a mysterious threat.

Type of Game: Action-adventure RPG.

New Features:

Gameplay: Mixes narrative-driven quests with action elements.
Characters: Features a darker narrative with a new character, Humphry.
Collaboration: Developed in collaboration with Eidos Montreal.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Release Date: TBA

Story: The setting is the Zone, an unforgiving landscape filled with mutants and anomalies. Players explore a non-linear storyline, encountering various threats and mysteries within the Zone.

Type of Game: First-person shooter, survival horror game.

New Features:

Gameplay: Encounters with mutants, archanomalies, and hub areas for resting and preparing for missions.
Narrative: Non-linear storyline with narrative snippets.
Voiceover: Ukrainian voiceover with subtitle options.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

Game Updates & Expansions

This section covers significant updates and expansions for existing games, providing details on release dates, new content, and what players can expect. Find out how these expansions will enhance your gaming experience.

World of Warcraft: The War Within

Release Date: August 26

Story: The 10th expansion for World of Warcraft. First of three expansions in The Worldsoul Saga. Deep dive into the game’s mythology, weaving together narrative threads from the past two decades.

Type of Game: MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game)

New Features:

Expansion: The War Within expansion.
Bundle: The special bundle includes the Dragonflight expansion, a level 60 character boost, and 60 days of game time.

Platforms: PC via Battle.net

Xbox Game Pass: N/A

The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road

Release Date: June 18

Story: Celebrates a decade of adventures within Tamriel’s Second Era. A new chapter, Gold Road, explores the return of the Forgotten Prince.

Type of Game: MMORPG

New Features:

Custom Abilities: Introduction of the Scribing System to create custom abilities.
New Region: West Weld, not seen since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4.

Xbox Game Pass: N/A

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

Release Date: October 8

Story: First expansion for Diablo IV. Neyrelle strives to thwart Mephisto’s sinister plot.

Type of Game: Action RPG

New Features:

New Class: Spiritborn.
New Adventures: New Dungeons, Strongholds, enemies, and PvE co-op activity.
Mercenaries: Introduction of new Mercenaries.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4.

Xbox Game Pass: N/A

Fallout 76: Skyline Valley

Release Date: June 12

Story: Explore the southern reaches of Appalachia, once Shenandoah National Park.

Type of Game: Online Action RPG

New Features:

New Mysteries: New locations, Vault 63, and mysteries to uncover.
New Public Event: Dangerous Pastimes.
New Region Bosses: Robo-brains.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4.

Xbox Game Pass: Available on day one.

Age of Mythology: Retold

Release Date: September 4

Story: Combines elements of Age of Mythology (2002) with modern RTS design.

Type of Game: Real-Time Strategy (RTS)

New Features:

Redesign: Redesigned deity portraits and divine powers.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Available on day one.

Sea of Thieves: Season 13

Release Date: July 25

Story: Captain Flameheart returns. Players can become the boss fight in a new world event.

Type of Game: Action-Adventure

New Features:

New World Event: Seize Flameheart’s mighty flagship.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 5.

Xbox Game Pass: Available on day one.

Starfield: Shattered Space

Release Date: Later this year

Story: Explore House Va’ruun territory.

Type of Game: Action RPG

New Features:

Mods: Official mod support with Creations.
New quest DLC: Trackers Alliance.
Fighting and Bounties: New bounty hunting features and melee weapon improvements.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Available from day one.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Release Date: November 19

Story: Next installment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. Allows simmers to pursue various aviation careers.

Type of Game: Flight Simulation

New Features:

Flying Features: Features like aerial firefighting, search and rescue, commercial flights, VIP charter service, air racing, and more.
New Aircraft and Airports: Largest, most detailed fleet of aircraft and airports.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox Game Pass: Available from day one.