Some of the info shared during the show was as welcome as it was expected (such as new trailers for Redfall, Starfield, and Forza Motorsport). Others, however, were pleasant surprises. For instance, few can really say they hated learning that the Persona franchise was finally coming to Xbox or that Hideo Kojima was creating an Xbox-exclusive title. However, those games only make up a small sampling of the titles coming to Microsoft’s supported hardware. Countless studios closely affiliated with the Xbox are busy working on major games. Unfortunately, quite a few of those games were missing from Xbox and Bethesda’s otherwise massive presentation. Given that the presentation focused on games that are coming out in the next 12 months…well, that might tell you a little something about what your expectations for those missing titles should be. Here are the biggest previously confirmed titles that were missing in action during the Xbox and Bethesda showcase.
The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls is the legendary fantasy franchise that helped put Bethesda on the map, and the series’ most recent numbered entry, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, was a landmark title that downright revolutionized the open-world RPG experience. Instead of simply releasing the next major Elder Scrolls game, though, Bethesda has instead re-released Skyrim on every console since then and also released the franchise’s well-received online spin-off, The Elder Scrolls Online.
Perfect Dark
In 2000, Rare released Perfect Dark: an N64 spy thriller-themed FPS about conspiracies and aliens. The game received critical acclaim from reviewers and fans but was sadly followed by the underwhelming Perfect Dark Zero for the Xbox 360 five years later. Two years ago, Microsoft announced a Perfect Dark reboot set to be developed by The Initiative. However, aside from a cinematic announcement trailer, we haven’t seen hide or hair of the game since then. Sadly, some reports suggest that the game’s development is coming along somewhat slowly and that the game is still at least a couple of years off.
Fable
The Fable franchise is a beloved Xbox institution that takes place in a very tongue-in-cheek fantasy version of England. The series is lauded for the myriad of ways it allows players to interact with NPCs, and most of the entries in the series were developed by Lionhead Studios. However, in 2016, Lionhead officially closed its doors. Many assumed that was the end of the Fable franchise. That was until 2020 when Microsoft announced a new Fable project set to be developed by Playground Games. In what is becoming a theme you’ll find throughout this list, that trailer was just an announcement video to show the game was in development. Much like Perfect Dark, most of what we’ve heard about this game since then doesn’t exactly fill us with hope that it will be released any time soon.
Indiana Jones
There probably isn’t a person alive who hasn’t heard of Indiana Jones. The franchise’s titular character has been on countless timeless adventures throughout the years. He’s uncovered plenty of hidden treasure, punched numerous (yet never enough) Nazis, and expressed his hatred of snakes in numerous movies and video games. Xbox owners will even be able to experience an exclusive Indiana Jones adventure soon. Well…at least we hope it’s soon.
Avowed
Sometimes, gamers are excited to learn about the next entry in a legacy franchise. On occasion, though, they only need to see who is working on a new title. In 2020, Xbox announced Avowed: a fantasy RPG set in the world of Obsidian’s own Pillars of Eternity franchise. Given the studio’s history of developing beloved sequels to established franchises, many assumed Avowed would be to The Elder Scrolls as Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds was to Fallout. Unfortunately, that’s really still all we know about the game. The 2020 reveal trailer was the first and last time Microsoft and Obsidian mentioned Avowed. The game was absent from the 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. It again sounds like there is still quite a lot of work that needs to be done on this game, so a 2024 release date is looking like its absolute earliest possible debut.
An Update On Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite is in a weird spot. While the game’s multiplayer falls short of its predecessors, its single-player campaign is almost everything Halo veterans wanted (even if it still needs co-op). The developers are hard at work addressing criticisms and updating Halo Infinite, or at least that’s what we think is going on. 343 Industries hasn’t exactly been the most forthcoming when it comes to regular updates. In April, 343 Industries outlined a roadmap for the rest of the year, which included new multiplayer game modes, quality of life improvements, and campaign co-op. And last month, the company implemented its multiplayer mode’s second season. Since then, not much. A lore drop here, a multiplayer event there, but not much else. Since Halo is a legacy Xbox franchise, the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase would have been the best time to update audiences on the state of Halo Infinite. Sadly, that didn’t happen.
Contraband
Xbox revealed a fascinating new project called Contraband during their big 2021 showcase that really looked like it was going to be one of their bigger upcoming exclusives. The 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase marked the game reveal’s one-year anniversary. What better time or excuse could there have been to reveal more info about it? As you already know by virtue of being here, though, that didn’t happen.
Everwild
The sad truth of the matter is that Rare has struggled to relive its Nintendo 64 glory days since being acquired by Microsoft. Instead of producing the next Banjo-Kazooie or Perfect Dark, the studio has pumped out lackluster Kinect titles and Sea of Thieves (which required numerous updates to impress audiences). Everwild is positioned to be the studio’s next big shot at something great, but the sad fact of the matter is that we still don’t know a ton about that supposedly ambitious project. Microsoft announced Everwild during the X019 event and later released another trailer during the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase. That video displayed a striking artstyle and a magical world that seemed to set the title’s tone. However, Rare has yet to disclose any information ever since that trailer’s debut. We don’t know how Everwild will play or what it’s about, and the 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Games didn’t change that. We just hope this isn’t another Rare game that is secretly in trouble.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
On the surface, the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a trek through a world inspired by Norse mythology. In reality, it’s a deep dive into the protagonist’s psychosis. The game was praised as an indie AAA title and won several BAFTA awards. In 2018, Microsoft purchased Hellblade’s developer, Ninja Theory, and one year later, announced its sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, at The Game Awards. Unlike other entries on this list, Microsoft and Ninja Theory haven’t kept quiet regarding Hellblade 2. During The Game Awards 2021, Microsoft provided a six-minute gameplay trailer where Senua fights a crawling giant. The trailer pleased audiences, but that was the last we’ve heard about the game. Since Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 was a no-show at the 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Game Showcase, that would seem to suggest the game isn’t going to be released in the next 12 months. Honestly, that’s kind of surprising.
State of Decay 3
Every zombie game has a unique feature to help it stand out from the crowd. State of Decay combined zombies with survival simulator mechanics to help them feel like they were actually maintaining a team of survivors. The game was so successful that it spawned a sequel, which (despite its problems) performed well enough to encourage the Xbox team to greenlight another sequel.
The Outer Worlds 2
The Outer Worlds made waves in the gaming world largely thanks to its developer’s pedigree. Not only was it created by Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind the fan-favorite Fallout New Vegas, but it was directed by the Fallout franchise’s original directors, Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky. The result was an award-winning and well-selling sci-fi experience that deserved a sequel. While The Outer Worlds is getting that sequel, all we really know about it is that it exists. During last year’s Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, Microsoft officially announced The Outer Worlds 2. Instead of demonstrating the sequel’s story or gameplay, though, the game’s debut trailer was far too focused on lampooning cinematic trailers…while also being one. The game’s official website sadly doesn’t have any additional information. Since the game was announced during the previous Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase it would have been fitting for this year’s event to expand on the upcoming title. Since that didn’t happen, we’re left waiting for some kind of update.
