We’re only a few weeks away from the big Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Despite the official cancellation of E3 2022, Microsoft still looks set to go all-in at its annual gaming conference in June. And as the only major platformer with an exhibition date on the table, all eyes are on the Xbox and what they will have prepared for Sunday, June 12th.
When the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase was originally announced, the energy and excitement of the community was palpable. Team Xbox had spent the last many years building momentum and shifting narratives about the perceived shortcomings of the ecosystem. The enthusiasm around this upcoming exhibition seemed amplified by the positive reception of last year’s collaboration conference.
What does a successful Xbox + Bethesda Games Showcase for 2022 look like for you?May 26, 2022
Unfortunately, shortly after the announcement of the official date, Xbox and Bethesda announced the high-profile delays of both Starfield and Redfall, two of the most anticipated games of the year. For some fans, these first-party setbacks hit particularly hard. The conversations and expectations surrounding the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase have changed dramatically, and the outlook for some people has become markedly more pessimistic.
After these delays and ongoing criticism, I took to Twitter to ask the community what a successful Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase would look like in 2022. We all have our get-hype wishlists with specific announcements or revelations (cough Legend of Mana on Xbox cough), but I would like to highlight the most prominent pain points that gamers hope the Xbox addresses with its upcoming presentation. Based on your input, here’s what fans want from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
Gameplay
By far, the most consistent request from Xbox community members regarding my exhibit request is more gameplay. While the Xbox has done a decent job of letting players know what’s in store for the future of Xbox Game Studios titles, many fans have expressed their frustrations when it comes to the lack of demonstrations in the engine. We have yet to see gameplay for previously announced titles like Everwild, State of Decay 3, Fable, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Redfall, Contraband, Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Indiana Jones and Elder Scrolls VI.
While last year’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase was generally considered one of Microsoft’s strongest conferences, some gamers still felt disappointed with the amount of CG trailers presented. In many ways, CG revelations are often effective tools to set the tone in a video game world for a short period of time. Vocal critics, however, feel that the Xbox leans too much into these marketing methods and prefers to see more extensive gameplay on the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
Without going into several tweets of what games etc. I would like to see, the most important thing is gameplay and preferably gameplay on console to give a good representation of what gamers can expectMay 26, 2022
It seems safe to expect a collapse for Starfield and Redfall at this upcoming conference, but players are still hoping for a little more in the gameplay department this time around. According to the community, deeper dives into Avowed, Contraband, Hellblade 2 and Forza Motorsport would greatly satisfy these desires. Here is the hope that the Xbox has heard this criticism loud and clear and plans to deliver a huge wealth of gameplay at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
Game schedule
Even before the delays of Starfield and Redfall, Xbox fans shared their concerns about the seemingly lightweight first-party lineup for 2022. As it is now, Xbox has not officially announced that any first-party titles will be released for the rest of the year, which certainly has not helped on the situation. From The Quarry to Gotham Knights, there is no shortage of notable games coming to the Xbox in the near future. Still, many gamers feel frustrated by the lack of compelling exclusive content.
Gameplay and release dates / windows for the first festival game already announced.May 26, 2022
Like the previous Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, fans want to see Xbox prioritize announcements that revive the excitement of the platform’s near future and provide a rough roadmap for first-party and third-party partnership releases. Community members hope the Xbox will be able to present a respectable selection of titles concentrating on the next 12 months. Players know that the Xbox has plenty of games on the horizon; they just want to know when they can expect them.
Xbox Game Pass releases
It undeniably seems almost impossible for the Xbox to completely fill the first-party gap after the absence of Starfield and Redfall in 2022. But some aggressive partnerships with day-to-date Xbox Game Pass releases have the potential to soothe the wounds of wounded fans. And for subscribers who are attracted to the service because of its emphasis on electrifying day-one releases, the community wants to see the Xbox Game Pass come out and swing at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
not kidding with exclusives, but yes, what will fill Game Pass the rest of the year.May 26, 2022
During last year’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, the team opened by setting expectations for what players would see during the 90-minute conference. Part of their promise to players was to deliver one notable Game Pass release a month. Fans and subscribers want to see the Xbox deliver similar messages in June. Valuable additions like Elden Ring, Saints Row or Evil Dead: The Game would ensure a beneficial value proposition for the growing gaming subscription service.
Surprise reveals
In my thread, there were mountains of requests for more gameplay, massive Game Pass announcements, and desires for a transparent game schedule, but society also seems to unanimously agree on the importance of surprise revelations. While many fans were quick to drop their fantasy playlists, an impressive number of others will simply have a little unpredictable marvel sprinkled across the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
I want surprises, something I literally know nothing about.May 26, 2022
It’s hard to beat the incredible feeling of witnessing a video game revelation for the very first time, especially when it’s a project that really resonates with you. Xbox has delivered plenty of memorable game announcements in its 20-year history. Fans are obviously eager to see what the impressive array of Xbox titles look and play like. Yet, successful surprise revelations can often make or break an effective showcase. Whether it’s fan-requested titles like a Banjo-Kazooie reboot or a sequel to Lost Odyssey, or something completely new, fans will want to be thrilled and delighted with the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
Everything will be known soon enough
Regardless of your hopes, wildest dreams and most modest expectations, it is safe to say that the upcoming Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will feature a collection of appealing games coming to the platform. On June 12, 2022, Microsoft will host a 90-minute presentation, designed to get gamers of all types excited about the future of Xbox and Xbox Game Studios.
Despite some of the negative energy surrounding the upcoming showcase after a few unfortunate delays, Team Xbox understands the importance of delivering an annual conference that captures headlines. In many ways, last year’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase set a new benchmark for the gaming brand. Hopefully we will see some amazing Xbox games from the passionate teams at Xbox Game Studios and maybe even a handful of great third party partners.