As the conventional stalwarts like E3 and Gamescom slowly fade into growing obscurity, it’s been the time of the biggest gaming companies to establish their own exhibitions of the latest and greatest in both upcoming software and hardware. We’ve had the Summer Game Fest, and Microsoft’s answer to this call is that of the Xbox Games Showcase, which recently wrapped up and provided us with a ton of new announcements, trailers and details on our favourite games to drop in the future. Oh, and there was also the tiny announcement of a brand-new line of Xbox consoles!
So you don’t have to wade through the plethora of information to find what you are looking for, allow us to sum up the biggest elements of the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 – right here, right now.
Doom Guy is Back!
As major, major fans of both DOOM (2016) and the sequel Doom Eternal, we cannot wait to get our hands on the next entry in the heart-pumping adrenaline-fest that is id Software’s FPS franchise.
Well, we now know that 2025 will be the release window for Doom: The Dark Ages – a medieval spin on the series that will have us using chain-flails, shields and swords (as well as shotguns, of course!) to dismember all manner of demonic ghouls in as gory way as possible. Expect to be dashing through hordes of foes, leaving them splattered in your wake, as well as constantly switching up your weapons to suit the next enemy to make the mistake of getting between Doom Guy and his mission.
Doom: The Dark Ages will release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and PC in 2025, and is coming to Game Pass day-one.
A New Starfield Adventure
The first major piece of DLC for Bethesda’s space-epic, Starfield, was announced at the Xbox Games Showcase. By the name of Starfield: Shattered Space, this expansion takes us on a perilous adventure to the city of Dazra – the capital of the homeworld of House Va’Ruun. Make sure to explore every nook and cranny of the new planet that Shattered Space is centered around, in order to pick up the new weapons, spacesuits and gear smattered around the place.
Bethesda also announced the introduction of brand new features as part of the June Update, which can be downloaded for free now on Xbox and PC. This brings with it enhanced melee combat, a new way to conduct bounty hunting, as well as official mod support to the game via the Creations menu.Â
Starfield: Shattered Space will be available to download for Xbox Series X|S and PC players at some point later this year.
Free Fallout!
As well as creating new worlds for Starfield fans to enjoy, Bethesda have also been hard at work adding new content to the Fallout universe. In Fallout 76’s next major expansion – Skyline Valley – you’ll be adventuring to the new southern region of Shenandoah, and investigate the strange occurrence of an electrical storm. Skyline Valley will come free to all players, and features a new enemy type, shocking Ghoul-based storyline to follow, as well as a new Public Event and Region Boss. Lots of free, Fallout fun to be had!
Fallout 76 – Skyline Valley will be free to download on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PC on June 12th, with Fallout 76 free for those on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra.
Dragon Age Returns!
One for all of you fantasy RPG fans, as EA and BioWare have proudly announced a brand new single-player entry into the long-running Dragon Age series. Coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC in late 2024, Dragon Age: The Veilguard brings with it some of the deepest companion storylines the series has ever seen, with the opportunity to converse (and most likely romance) all manner of companions that you can add to your party. Playing as a fully-customisable hero known as Rook, you’ll be using strategic combat to battle your way through the game, making decisions that will shape the future of Thedas forever more.
John Epler, Creative Director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, had this to say on their exciting new announcement:
Dragon Age: The Veilguard features some of the deepest companion storylines in Dragon Age history, navigating romance, tragic loss and complex choices that will affect relationships with players and the fate of The Veilguard… BioWare’s storytelling roots shine through every chapter of this adventure, and we are incredibly excited for Dragon Age fans as well as those new to the series to experience this crafted, character-driven narrative that is so intertwined with our studio’s DNA.
And Much, Much More
Whilst we’ve singled out the most exciting announcements made at the Xbox Games Showcase, we have to of course make some honourable mentions. Sea of Thieves is undergoing its 13th season soon, with a new faction to align with. We received new details on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, the super-exciting upcoming Fable title received a 2025 release window, The Elder Scrolls Online is getting a large update, and of course Call of Duty had something to say. We’ve in fact got separate articles detailing the deep dive into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, as well as info on a new line of Xbox Series consoles coming later this year, up on the site. Make sure to check them out!
What has got you most excited from the Xbox Games Showcase? Let us know in the comments below and on our usual social media channels.
Need more? The Xbox News Wire is full of it.
