E3 2021 is well underway, and we’ve already seen some great announcements from Summer Games Fest, Guerrilla Collective, Prime Media, Ubisoft Forward and the Devolver Digital show, to name a few. The big one for me though, and most likely the most talked about for many gamers is the joint Xbox/Bethesda E3 showcase. Both parties have always had some huge line ups of game announcements, and ones that are right down my gaming alley.
Given how many games studios Microsoft has acquired over the years, then add in Bethesda and the other Zenimax studios that came with them, there would be far too many games to fit into one show – I would watch it though, even if it went for hours, just saying! There is 343 Industries for Halo, The Coalition for Gears of War, Undead Labs for State of Decay and many more. Then within Bethesda/Zenimax there’s id Software for Doom, Arkane Studios for Dishonored, Machinegames for Wolfenstein and Zenimax Online for The Elder Scrolls Online, plus others.
Leading into the show, a quick scan over my Twitter feed had gamers hyped for news on the some of the bigger games from the team. Games like Halo Infinite, given its November release date, Starfield and whether it will release this year, Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Empires IV could likely drop this year. Psyconaughts 2 looks like it is readying for a 2021 release date and Hellblade 2, which we saw the epic trailer last year, could release this year.
The show has now been run and done and wow, did it pack a punch, and then some! Here is everything that we saw from the Xbox/Bethesda E3 2021 Showcase.
Starfield – Trailer and release date, November 11, 2022, Day 1 on Game Pass and exclusive to Xbox Consoles/PC/Cloud
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery. Launching November 11, 2022 exclusively on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Become a member of Constellation at StarfieldGame.com and be among the first to receive Starfield news and updates.
Stalker 2 Heart of Chernobyl gameplay trailer looks very polished 28 April 2022
From epic cutscenes and underground labs to open-world fields, here is the first look at the gameplay of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl. The game is next-gen only (PC, Xbox Series X|S) and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass (both console and PC).
Back 4 Blood PvP announce trailer – releases October 12
New PVP mode for Back 4 Blood tells us one thing – things are about to get messy. Coming Slay, October 12 day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Contraband announcement trailer – co-op open world
From Avalanche Studios and Xbox Game Studios, a co-op smuggler’s paradise set in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan.
Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life announcement trailer. – Pirates of the Caribbean joins sea of thieves June 22nd
Split across five incredible Tall Tales packed with secrets and side-quests, Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life sees Captain Jack Sparrow sailing in from beyond the horizon to sweep players into an epic new adventure! Free Jack from his prison and witness the power of the world’s greatest Pirate Treasure, which he just so happens to have stolen, before joining him on an unforgettable quest to stop dark forces from dominating this pirate paradise. This lovingly crafted story will be available to play alone or with a crew, and will be a free update for all players with the arrival of Sea of Thieves: Season Three on June 22.
Yakuza Like a Dragon available on Game Pass
Play Yakuza: Like A Dragon today on console, PC, and cloud with Xbox Game Pass.
Battlefield 2042 gameplay trailer – Releases October 22
Play Battlefield 2042 starting October 22, 2021. Fight to define the future in a world transformed by disorder. For the first time in Battlefield’s history, 128 players can join the all-out war at the same time* – giving you the chance to take part in massive-scale battles where anything can happen. Get an even greater sense of spectacular, large-scale war on seven massive maps where you’ll experience ever-changing battle conditions and gameplay challenges.
Twelve Minutes date announce trailer – August 19, 2021
Twelve Minutes is coming Xbox console & day one to Xbox Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud on August 19, 2021. An interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop. Featuring James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe.
Psychonaughts 2 gameplay trailer – Releases August 24, 2021
Psychonauts 2 is available August 25. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass. Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers. Psychonauts 2 serves up danger, excitement, and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain. Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
Fallout 76 Steel Reign releases July 7, free for all players
Steel Reign brings the conclusion of the Brotherhood of Steel storyline. You arrive back at Fort Atlas to find the tensions between Paladin Rahmani and Knight Shin have reached a boiling point. After swarms of Super Mutants start to appear and people are reported missing, how will you guide the Brotherhood? Will you take the side of justice or will you remain committed to duty? Free for Fallout 76 Players. Available July 7.
They also announced a new Fallout76 Expeditions – The Pitt, coming in 2022.
Expeditions: The Pitt is a free update to Fallout 76 that will, for the first time, take you outside of Appalachia! Expeditions are story driven, repeatable missions to various exciting locales in the Fallout universe – starting with The Pitt in 2022!
Elder Scrolls Online reaches 18 million players with ESO Blackwood just released. ESO Deadlands in fall and comes to next-gen consoles this Tuesday. You can read my review in-progress on PC here.
Experience Tamriel unleashed with Console Enhanced, a new version of the game for Xbox Series X|S that fully utilizes the native power of current-generation machines to provide incredible boosts to performance and graphical fidelity. Tamriel has never looked or played better on consoles with Console Enhance—available June 15 for Xbox Series X|S.
Party Animals coming 2022 day one Game Pass
Get ready to party like an animal. Party Animals is coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2022. Fight with or against your friends in Party Animals! Choose your character from a diverse cast of adorable animals as you battle it out across multiple game modes to be the last one left standing in the ultimate competitive brawler.
Hades coming to Game Pass August 13, 2021
Battle out of hell in Hades, recipient of more than 50 Game of the Year awards, coming to Xbox Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud on August 13, 2021 and also available for pre-order now. In this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion and Transistor, you’ll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.
Somerville announcement trailer – coming 2022
In the wake of catastrophe you must find the means to make your family whole again. Somerville is a Sci-Fi adventure grounded in the intimate repercussions of large scale conflict.
Halo Infinite campaign and season one of multiplayer releasing November
Play Halo Infinite day one with Xbox Game Pass. Coming Holiday 2021 to the Xbox One family of consoles, Xbox Series X, and Windows 10 through the Microsoft Store and Steam. The legendary Halo series returns with free-to-play multiplayer service and the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet.
Diablo 2 Resurrected releases September 23, 2021
A dark figure wanders in the East and he must be stopped at all costs. Own the definitive remastering of Diablo ® II and its Lord of Destruction ® expansion on 23/09/21 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
A Plague Tale: Requiem coming 2022
Embark on an emotional and breathtaking journey. Follow Amicia and her brother Hugo on a perilous new quest, doing whatever it takes to survive a brutal, uncaring world. A Plague Tale: Requiem will be released on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2022. The game will be available at launch on Xbox Game Pass for Consoles, PC and Cloud.
FarCry 6 gameplay
Watch new FarCry6 gameplay from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Takedown settlements with the help of an angry alligator Fang for Hire, resolver weapons, and customizable backpacks. Bring freedom back to Yara with co-op matchmaking.
Slime Rancher 2 announcement
Beatrix LeBeau is returning to the Far, Far Range in Slime Rancher 2!
Shredders announced
A love letter to snowboarding, Shredders takes inspiration from snowboarding movies, the Amped games from the original Xbox, and the snowboarding heroes on social media. Shredders is a project fed by passion and built to shine on Xbox Series X|S.
Atomic Heart announced
Atomic Heart is coming day one to Xbox Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud. Atomic Heart takes place in the Soviet Union in an alternative reality sometime in 1955, where technology like the internet, holograms and robots have already been invented. The main protagonist is a special agent called P-3, who is sent by the government to investigate a manufacturing facility that has fallen silent.
Replaced announcement trailer – I love the pixel art on this one
Discover the dark secrets of Phoenix-City. Define your shared future in REPLACED coming in 2022 to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass for Console and PC, with an optimized version for Xbox Series X|S.
Grounded – Shroom & Doom Update drops June 30
Befriend pets, build castles, unlock achievements, fight the Broodmother, and so much more, in one of our biggest updates to Grounded yet, coming June 30. Play Grounded today in Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass.
Among Us 15 Player Lobbies
Among Us celebrates its 3rd birthday on June 15, and our gift to you is a special update: You can play with EVEN MORE of your friends with the launch of 15 Player Lobbies!
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Announcement Trailer
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an exciting new JRPG adventure published by 505 Games and developed by Rabbit & Bear Studios. Featuring a traditional 6-character battle system utilizing painstakingly created 2D sprites and gorgeous 3D backgrounds. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a celebration of the JRPG genre readily associated with studio lead Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden I & II) and director Osamu Komuta. Eiyuden Chronicles is both a throwback to the classic JRPG games that have entertained millions and a modern, exciting tale of discovery and adventure featuring a cast of hundreds of fully realized characters.
The Ascent Day One with Xbox Game Pass
Play The Ascent day one on console, PC, and cloud with Xbox Game Pass on August 19, 2021. The Ascent is a solo and co-op Action-shooter RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Can you survive without it?
Age of Empires IV – Official Gameplay Trailer
Age of Empires IV is available October 28, 2021. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass for PC. One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV on Xbox Game Pass for PC, Windows Store, and Steam, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation. Choose your path to greatness with 8 diverse civilizations, 4 distinct campaigns with 35 missions that include legendary historical figures, user generated content tools for custom games, 8 player multiplayer modes, and a tutorial system and story mode designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success.
The Outer Worlds 2 Announce Trailer
New solar system, new crew, same Outer Worlds. The Outer Worlds 2 is coming…and when that day is closer we will show you more…but until then enjoy this.
Microsoft Flight Simulator – Xbox Series X|S Gameplay Trailer
Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to Xbox Series X|S July 27, 2021 (my 40th birthday!). Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass. Players will experience the same level of depth and complexity that fans of the critically acclaimed flight simulator have come to love on PC. The Microsoft Flight Simulator team also announced today a one-of-a-kind expansion in partnership with Paramount Studios to coincide with the exciting launch of the new Top Gun: Maverick movie. More details on the experience will be revealed as the November 19 premiere of the movie and release of the expansion draw closer.
Forza Horizon 5 Announce Trailer
Your ultimate Horizon adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars. Play Forza Horizon 5 day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Forza Horizon 5 Official Gameplay Demo
Forza Horizon 5 is available on November 9. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass. Mike Brown, creative director of Forza Horizon 5 debuts an extended first look at gameplay. Join Mike and a few friends as they showcase a taste of what Forza Horizon 5 has to offer. Beautiful, diverse landscapes are on display as our players dip into a game of Piñata Pop through Horizon Arcade. Be sure to stick around until the end to check out a few possibilities of EventLab including custom races, challenges, stunts, and entirely new game modes.
Redfall Announce Trailer
