Xbox Fans Rejoice: Major Game Reveals Set to Drop Sooner Than Anticipated

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Xbox fans eagerly anticipated the annual summer game showcase to catch a glimpse of their favorite first-party titles, but two highly anticipated games were conspicuously absent: State of Decay 3 and Perfect Dark. The former, announced in Summer 2020, aims to redeem the zombie survival franchise after its lackluster second installment, possibly by emphasizing a more cinematic and story-driven approach. However, no gameplay or trailer has been shown since the announcement, leaving fans wondering about the game's progress and direction. The latter, a reboot of the classic stealth action series featuring Joanna Dark, was unveiled at The Game Awards 2020, but has faced some development challenges and staff turnover, prompting the involvement of Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind Tomb Raider and Marvel's Avengers. Though the potential of these Xbox exclusives is still high, their actual release date and quality remain uncertain.

During an interview with Giant Bomb, Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty shared some insights into the potential release dates for Perfect Dark and State of Decay 3. He mentioned that he has personally seen builds of both games and hinted that gameplay deep dives could be expected in the next 18 months. Booty also acknowledged the expectation from fans to see gameplay footage and stated that the first-party studios are aware of this, as confirmed by VP of Xbox Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg prior to the showcase.

It's possible that Perfect Dark and State of Decay 3 could be included in the next wave of AAA Xbox titles stretching into 2025, following the release of Avowed and Hellblade 2 in the first half of 2024. Xbox's major first-party games have been making appearances at various events such as Gamescom, The Game Awards, and Xbox's Developer Directs, prompting fans to anticipate glimpses of State of Decay 3 or Perfect Dark gameplay at these future events. Matt Booty's comments only add to these expectations. Given that Hellblade 2 was first revealed at The Game Awards 2019 and showcased its gameplay two years later at TGA 2021, it's possible that Perfect Dark may follow suit with a gameplay reveal at a future event, potentially even as early as next year's TGA. This news is particularly reassuring following reports of the game's troubled development.

State of Decay 3 and Perfect Dark are in development.

Source: GamingBolt