Xbox's Latest Showcase Shows Significant Progress

The image below shows the post-trailer image for Robocop: Rogue City.

QR = quite resourceful

As I observed the Xbox Partner Preview, one notable improvement caught my attention. After each announcement, there were brief still images displayed. While I have seen similar practices during PlayStation State Of Play presentations, the inclusion of mentioning and providing a QR code to blog posts was a fresh and innovative approach.

One half of the intermission section.

Brief intermission

At the 14:18 mark of the presentation, this Xbox Partner Preview surprised and delighted me. It provided a comprehensive recap of everything I had seen thus far, with concise one-line summaries highlighting the focus of each update. Additionally, it cleverly used special symbols to indicate the unveiling of new games. In a world where our short-term memory is often lacking, this was a brilliant move.

This brief 20-second intermission accomplished several important objectives. Firstly, it served as a reminder of all the content I had witnessed up to that point. Secondly, it briefly highlighted the reasons why those games were featured in the showcase, whether it was the debut game from a leading indie studio like Ikaro Will Not Die, the immersive gameplay experience of Still Wakes The Deep, or the upcoming release date of Robocop, ensuring that even latecomers to the showcase were informed. Thirdly, it took inspiration from Nintendo Direct by giving viewers a chance to catch their breath—a sort of "soft reset"—before delivering a knockout blow with the Metal Gear Solid Delta footage. This well-thought-out pacing made the major announcements even more impactful and demonstrated that Xbox had thoroughly prepared for this event.

Here's the complete rundown.

Out with a bang

When Nintendo launches a new Nintendo Direct, it eventually releases a graphic on social media featuring every game showcased in the Direct. Xbox followed a similar approach with the Partner Preview, but instead of waiting and sharing the graphic later, it strategically placed that graphic as the final thing seen before the showcase concluded. In total, ten games were presented in these 30 minutes, and this video ensured that you were reminded of each one—presented in the exact order they appeared—before bidding farewell.

A new partner

Finally, Xbox has found its stride in the Partner Preview, following in the footsteps of Nintendo's Direct and Sony's State of Play. This format eliminates lengthy discussions and focuses solely on showcasing the games coming to Xbox. Xbox's confidence shines through as they recap the event and fearlessly embrace potential negative reactions. They proudly display what they are excited about, leaving it up to the viewers to accept or reject. I admire this confidence and look forward to seeing it in future installments.

A new partner

After witnessing Nintendo's Direct and Sony's State of Play, Xbox has finally found its place in the gaming industry with their Partner Preview. The event was a streamlined affair, devoid of unnecessary discussions and filled with exciting trailers exclusively for Xbox games. Xbox's approach to future showcases is commendable, as they not only solidify their own strategy but also offer valuable suggestions to other competitors on how they can enhance their own presentations.

A new partner

I hope the Partner Preview is here to stay…and I also hope there's a first-party Preview in the pipeline too.