In 2023, Xbox Game Pass has had a mix of offerings, with some months featuring heavy-hitting titles while others featuring lesser-known Indie and third-party games. However, the first-party offerings have been lacking, with Redfall being the only game that has been generating buzz despite its rocky launch. Fortunately, the Xbox Showcase has changed all that with its impressive game reveals and the exciting news that almost every one of them will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The showcase was also praised for its pacing, making it one of the standout events in the industry.
Every Xbox Game Pass Title Announced at the Xbox Showcase
Of the 26 games announced at the Xbox Showcase, a whopping 21 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on the day of release, including some highly anticipated titles. The showcase opened with the highly anticipated trailer for Playground's Fable reboot, which promises to turn the fantasy genre on its head with its satirical approach. Payday 3 was also announced, and although it may seem familiar to those who have played Payday 2, its inclusion on the service is sure to make September a busy month for Xbox Game Pass.
Obsidian's upcoming Xbox first-party title, Avowed, debuted its first gameplay trailer during the Xbox Showcase. Despite its brevity, the trailer showcased a refined Elder Scrolls-inspired combat system and impressive world-building, indicating that the studio is leveraging its past successes to create a thrilling new fantasy adventure. With Avowed set to join Xbox Game Pass in 2024, fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of fantasy-filled titles. Additionally, the Xbox Showcase included a new trailer for Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, which revealed a release window of 2024. Sea of Thieves also made an appearance, with a free Secret of Monkey Island expansion set to release on July 20 for game owners and Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Finally, Forza Motorsport received a brief trailer and an October 10 release date, rounding out a promising second half of 2023 for Xbox Game Pass.
The Xbox Showcase not only featured an impressive showcase of games, but also included exciting announcements of brand new, innovative titles set to release on Xbox Game Pass day one. Among these was South of Midnight, which stood out with its unique art style and haunting atmosphere, despite the developer's previous game, We Happy Few, falling short of expectations. Another highly anticipated reveal was 33 Immortals, which resembled a 33-player version of the popular game, Hades. The latter part of the showcase continued to deliver thrilling game reveals, including the tranquil puzzle climbing game Jusant, the Banner Saga-inspired Towerborne, and the BioShock-esque Clockwork Revolution, all of which confirmed that Xbox Game Pass still has plenty of exciting games in store for the rest of 2023 and beyond. It's clear that Xbox Game Pass subscribers can expect to receive a constant stream of new games every month.