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The 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase was one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it lived up to the hype. With this being just the second official joint presentation since Microsoft purchased Bethesda in early 2021, expectations ran high.

Over the 90-minute presentation, Xbox expanded on many of the finer details for its upcoming releases, giving fans a much better idea regarding what to expect within the next 12 months. Brand-new titles were also announced within the blockbuster showcase, spaced between world-first gameplay reveals and the confirmation of when some long-awaited games will become available.

Redfall

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The first game in the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase was Redfall, a vampire-slaying co-op FPS that was originally announced in 2021. A lot more gameplay was shown off for this Arkane Studios venture, and while a lot of the information was already known, the trailer did confirm that Redfall will launch in 2023 as a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

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A much-anticipated announcement was that of Hollow Knight: Silksong, a Metroidvania platformer and sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight. Originally announced in 2019, fans were able to get another glimpse into its gameplay, and it is now confirmed to be a day-one Xbox Game Pass release - even if its release date is still unknown.

High On Life

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A brand-new game announced at the showcase was High On Life, a highly stylized FPS from the creators of Rick and Morty. Thoroughly comedic in nature and boasting sentient organic weapons, High On Life is another Game Pass title releasing in October.

Riot Games and Xbox Game Pass

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Riot Games is launching a surprise partnership with Xbox Game Pass. For PC and mobile users, Game Pass subscribers will be able to play League of Legends, Valorant, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics this winter, including attractive bonuses such as all characters being unlocked in League of Legends.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

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A Plague Tale: Requiem, announced in 2021, also featured in today's showcase, with gameplay upholding the immersive, fantastical nature of the upcoming sequel. Requiem was confirmed to have a 2022 release date, and it will launch day-one for Xbox Game Pass.

Forza Motorsport and Horizon DLC

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A long-time Xbox exclusive franchise, the upcoming Forza Motorsport featured heavily. The latest installment of the veteran racing franchise shows incredible graphical fidelity with real-time ray-tracing, and is aiming for a spring 2023 release. Forza Horizon was also showcased, with new Hot Wheels DLC that will see players navigate bombastic and death-defying tracks.

Overwatch 2

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The high-profile Overwatch 2 also received pertinent new details during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. Overwatch 2 will official release in Early Access on October 4 with a free-to-play PvP mode, and a new playable hero named Junker Queen was revealed. This lethal Wastelander has grand aspirations that were conveyed with a character reveal trailer.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

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Microsoft Flight Simulator predictably commanded some spotlight, announcing a 40-year anniversary update that is scheduled to launch this November. Exclusive crossover content between Microsoft Flight Simulator and Halo Infinite was also announced, with the iconic Pelican from Halo coming to the simulator soon.

The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 DLC

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With The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 being the two quintessential multiplayer titles for their respective franchises, it makes sense that both will be receiving significant DLC in the near future. The Elder Scrolls Online is set to receive the High Isle expansion within the next week, while Fallout 76 will receive The Pitt expansion in September. Both DLCs will take fans to brand-new areas, including swathes of major content.

Ark 2

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While solid details surrounding the upcoming Ark 2 still remain mysterious, the showcase gave fans a closer look at a character played by actor Vin Diesel, tamed dinosaurs adorned with imposing decorations. This very brief snippet of a trailer gave fans a vague release window of 2023.

Scorn

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Scorn is an upcoming survival-horror game set within a gorey alien hellscape. The showcase featured a more intimate look at the title's gruesome aesthetics and gameplay, which is not for the faint of heart. Interested fans will be glad to hear that Scorn now has an official release date of October 21, 2022, when it will also become available through Xbox Game Pass.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

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An interesting title that featured in the showcase was Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, a third-person action-adventure game that sees the player wield supernatural powers to reclaim the world from the sinister undead army. This was confirmed to be a Game Pass title releasing in early 2023.

Minecraft Legends

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One of the most exciting reveals to come from the showcase came with Minecraft Legends. A wholly new Minecraft experience, Legends will see players unite the mobs of the overworld to fight armies from the Nether. The game will be a real-time strategy game, and is currently aiming for a 2023 date.

Lightyear Frontier

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Announced as releasing in Early Access next spring, Lightyear Frontier is a chill open-world farming adventure. With the help of a farming-oriented mech suit, players will be able to build up a homestead on a mysterious world through resource collection and crop harvesting.

Gunfire Reborn

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Launching in October 2022 for Game Pass, Gunfire Reborn is a first-person rogue-lite action game. Supporting up to four-player co-op, the shooter aims to use ability-based mechanics for a unique and deeply replayable game set in a cel-shaded world.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox

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The Last Case of Benedict Fox was revealed at today's showcase, being a Metroidvania title narratively set in 1925. The game sees Benedict Fox attempt to uncover grisly secrets surrounding his family's demise while contending with Lovecraftian horrors, and will release in spring 2023 with Game Pass availability.

As Dusk Falls

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As Dusk Falls is an extremely stylistic interactive drama that has been in development over eight years. Possessing a dynamic and branching story, the Xbox console-exclusive title is officially billed to launch on July 19.

Naraka Bladepoint

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Nakara Bladepoint is an action-adventure battle royale set within a mythical world that released in August 2021. Boasting 60-player matches, the melee-based title will come to Xbox consoles and Game Pass on June 23, 2022, with cross-play support.

Pentiment

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An interesting title that featured in the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase was Pentiment, a 16th Century narrative adventure set in Bavaria. Developed by Obsidian, the game was given a close release date of November 2022.

Grounded

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The popular survival title Grounded featured at the showcase, with Grounded's official 1.0 release date being set for September 2022. The game sees players control children who are shrunken down to insect size, battling for their lives against a now-gigantic threats in common gardens.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy

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Ereban: Shadow Legacy was announced at the showcase, being a cyber-stealth platformer set in a dystopian future. With mystical powers and futuristic tech at the player's disposal as they fight against a morally gray higher power, Shadow Legacy is set to release in 2023.

Diablo 4

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One of the most high-profile games in the showcase was Diablo 4. The fifth and final character class for Diablo 4 was revealed to be the sinister Necromancer. PvP, co-op, core gameplay, and endgame mechanics were additionally showcased for the dungeon-crawler, with Diablo 4 now officially being set to release in 2023.

Sea of Thieves Season 7

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Sea of Thieves's next exciting update was revealed during the Xbox showcase. The update will allow players to become a captain, complete with a fully customizable cabin and the ability to name their ship. Alongside other changes, Season 7 of Sea of Thieves is aiming to be a huge one come release on July 21.

Ravenlok

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Ravenlok is an upcoming third-person action-adventure game developed by Cococucumber. Ravenlok is an RPG that will see players take control of a young girl within a mystical fantasy world, clearly inspired by Alice in Wonderland, fighting fairy-tale enemies while navigating a dangerous prophecy. Ravenlok will release in 2023, with Xbox Game Pass availability planned.

Cocoon

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Another title announced at the showcase was Cocoon, an ambitious puzzle-adventure game from the mind of Jeppe Carlsen - lead gameplay designer for both Inside and Limbo. The game does appear to be more vibrant and colorful than these prior titles, aiming for a 2023 release.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

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Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was also revealed at the showcase, being a dark fantasy-action game set in feudal China. Featuring comprehensive melee combat developed by Team Ninja, the game appears to blend supernatural and historical elements in the telling of its story. Set for a 2023 release date, Fallen Dynasty will also appear on the Game Pass service.

Persona 3, 4, and 5

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In a landmark move for Microsoft's dealings with Japanese developers, Persona 3, 4, and 5 will be coming to Xbox and PC in October 2022. The iconic role-playing games have always favored PlayStation consoles, further establishing the importance of the games finally coming to Xbox.

Hideo Kojima's Unnamed Xbox Title

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Another watershed moment for the showcase came with the confirmation that veteran designer Hideo Kojima has partnered with Xbox to produce a brand-new exclusive. As Kojima is strongly associated with PlayStation releases throughout his storied career, the development of an Xbox title gives further credence to how Xbox is widening its scope this generation.

Starfield

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Capping off the show, Starfield is an action-RPG focused on space exploration and combat, developed by Bethesda of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout fame. With exact details being few and far between prior to the showcase, fans finally got to see gameplay and a comprehensive overview of many mechanics.

Starfield will have over 1,000 explorable planets, comprehensive character customization, ship customization and piloting, and a dynamic storyline. With Starfield releasing next year after a prior delay, it is safe to say that the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase gave fans plenty to look forward to.