The Xbox Showcase + Starfield Direct Could Be the Start of a Long Xbox Winning Streak

Confident Microsoft is back, and both the long-term and immediate future look extremely bright.

[Obscure_Observer]

Hopefully.

Xbox truly delivered a great showcase with plenty of true AAA next gen games. It was very genre diverse and I love the fact that Phil made Xbox more focused on RPGs like never before.

More and more third party publishers and developers are making Gamepass their home to debut new IPs, like´s Capcom´s surprising new IP!

Also, according to Phil and Matt Booty, we don´t have seen everything they have to show this year! O.o

Hype is real!

[just_looken]

alot of those titles can also be tossed onto playstations services also

they also could be meh or bad too soon to wave the victory flag.

[VenomUK]

"The Xbox Showcase + Starfield Direct Could Be the Start of a Long Xbox Winning Streak" says Ryan McCaffrey.

Look, there's nothing wrong with feeling optimistic about the future of Xbox. However, for at least a year and a half there has been consistent criticism from WITHIN the Xbox community (look at Defining Dukes and even Colt Eastwood) about the lack of triple-A games and the mishandling of big titles like Halo Infinite and more recently Redfall. So Microsoft has a strong 'E3' showcase (which looks even better in comparison to the lacklustre PlayStation showcase) and then suddenly 'all is forgiven' and the challenges facing the platform are ignored and McCaffrey has determined that Xbox is 'winning' now and will do so well into the future! This is not intended to be a console war comment; but Xbox will be winning when it releases those games and they are of a high quality and the Xbox audience is more consistently satisfied.

Xbox won E3 but it's premature for Ryan McCaffrey to interpret that as proof that Xbox is set to win this generation. He is simply performing to his audience.

[4Sh0w]

VenomUK
"Xbox won E3 but it's premature for Ryan McCaffrey to interpret that as proof that Xbox is set to win this generation."

-Where did he say Xbox is set to win this generation? A long term winning streak is what he says & that is open to interpretation...if you"re the "only ps can shine" type then yeah you would be inclined to immediately assume he means winning this gen(console sales?) but good writers tend to make a broad point and let readers decide, I took it at face value which is Xbox showed alot of promising games coming over the next few yrs=bright future/winning. Furthermore he summarized what he meant here, "winning" is about Xbox fans getting good games, which hardly sounds like console warrior crap:

"The point is, the days of Defensive Microsoft might finally be over, giving way to an exciting future and, more importantly for Xbox fans, an exciting present. Starfield is just over two months away…" -Ryan McCaffrey

-My final thought is I'm shocked people are shocked because we all knew Microsoft considerable increase in studios/acquisitions would=more games, the only thing surprising is it taken as long as it has to bear fruit.

[JackBNimble]

I really want to see xbox be a contender and be successful in the industry. But they have got a lot of proving to regain gamers trust, and one good exclusive isn't going to do it , it's a start , that's it that's all.
Hopefully going forward MS can minimize the fuck ups.

[Crows90]

This is great for Xbox. All they and to do is buy up all the popular Western IP developers...

But seriously it's good for Xbox...BUT it makes me wonder....of that's the case right now then what's been the situation for the past decade? And why did Xbox fans not want to be honest?

[cthulhucultist]

Ok to be honest, i felt that this was just an ok showcase. Dont get me wrong. For the first time I saw focus on single player games which I prefer.

Avowed
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
MS Flight Simulator
South of Midnight
Clockwork Revolution
Fable

All seemingly single player experiences. However almost no gameplay was shown which was a real bummer.

Hellblade should have shown more in game footage. The same is true for Fable.

South of Midnight and Clockwork Revolution seem very interesting but too far away judging by the no gameplay trailers and no release date announcements.

Rest of games not revealed (perfect dark, gears 6, ID software new game, contraband, indiana jones, everwild, Kojima game etc), seem to be set for 2025. That's 4 years after the launch of Xbox Series!

In view of the above, I definitely feel that the criticism over Xbox is warranted.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Hellblade should have shown more in game footage."

I´m positive that Ninja Theory will have a proper Hellblade II´s gameplay reveal this year. Most probably at TGA where it made it´s first announcement.

"The same is true for Fable"

I disagree. Fable in game engine footage was enough to make me salivate on how beautiful that game is becoming and, since Playground is a top tier studio, they want to make sure that Fable´s gameplay reveal is going to impress both old and new Fable fans.

"South of Midnight and Clockwork Revolution seem very interesting but too far away judging by the no gameplay trailers and no release date announcements."

South of Midnight does seem very interesting and intriguing, so I agree it would be very nice to see some gameplay.

Clockwork Revolution was really impressive and it does shown bits of gameplay which looked awesome.

"Rest of games not revealed (perfect dark, gears 6, ID software new game, contraband, indiana jones, everwild, Kojima game etc), seem to be set for 2025. That's 4 years after the launch of Xbox Series!"

Xbox started slow but it´s picking up speed. 2024 is already packed with games that we know and games that we don´t even know yet that just might just pop up like Hi-Fi Rush.

Besides, Xbox has 5 years worth of first party titles already announced or teased, and Matt Booty wants those games releases to be well spaced between each other. 4 first party releases in a year is the goal. Depends on how well development goes.

"I definitely feel that the criticism over Xbox is warranted."

Well, for most people and media Xbox is finally getting a hold of its future. And that´s has nothing to do with the competition. Xbox has first and foremost the obligation to please us, the Xbox gamers, first!

Whether non Xbox gamers will be convinced on getting on board or not, is another matter entirely and a long term game.

[Abear21]

Hype is manufactured and Xbox is top of that business. Now when it comes to actual must play games, Xbox is in last place and are so far behind there’s no catching up. Hopefully by the end of this generation Xbox has enough games it’s worth buying one, but as of right now and even post Starfield, one or two games is t changing their market share and this article should replace “winning streak” with “actually competitive”

[shinoff2183]

Aren't more and more 3rd party developers also just skipping xbox to though. Double edged sword. Also if your talking about exporimal or whatever. The game doesn't even look good. Well to me atleast. Finally might be good to own an Xbox for 1st party

[Obscure_Observer]

"Aren't more and more 3rd party developers also just skipping xbox to though."

Are they? I saw way more interesting third party games on the Xbox Showcase than I saw in other platforms. Most making its way to Gamepass including new interesting IPs.

"Also if your talking about exporimal or whatever. The game doesn't even look good."

*Exoprimal* is old news.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess is the SECOND new IP from Capcom to debut day one on Gamepass this year, which is HUGE!

More and more japanese games and JRPGs are making its way to Xbox like never before! Phil already reassured fans that Xbox just getting started and relationship with japanese publishers and developers will only improve from now on, SE included!

[Sonic1881]

"Phil made Xbox more focused on RPGs like never before."

It will be interesting to see if children and young adults are interested in only RPGs. Most Xbox gamers prefer multiplayer games, co-op games. and shooters like Halo and Gears

[Jin_Sakai]

We shall see. I feel like I’ve heard a similar statements for nearly a decade. I’m really excited for Starfield 30fps aside.

[Lightning77]

They have a actual lineup for 2024. Flight Simulator 2024, Towerborne, Avowed and Hell Blade 2. Plus lots of day one gamepass stuff. As I said when you buy studios in 2018 5 years ago eventually those Xbox games has to release sometime.

[Jin_Sakai]

Whether those games are good is another story. I hope they are though because Sony needs competition.

[ApocalypseShadow]

So, Microsoft has/had to purchase companies with games in development already to get any games out or put on game pass?

In-house developers like The Initiative have brought nothing and needed help from Crystal Dynamics. No "AAAA" games. Rare's game didn't even have gameplay thought out yet when they showed it. And so on.

But almost every game that has released or is releasing were developers Microsoft had to buy.

Good thing they got that checkbook. Or they would be in a world of hurt.

[--Onilink--]

@Apocalypse

And without a doubt the biggest asset that Sony has in terms of fast and consistent releases was also a purchased studio…. Insomniac.
Does it matter that they were purchased now that they are making PS exclusives? No
Do I care that they were bought when playing their games? No
Would an Xbox only gamer get anything from knowing they were bought when they still cant play the game? Also no..
Saying they are purchased studios or not is truly irrelevant to practically any realistic conversation about the quality of games, how often the release stuff, etc, regardless of the platform
They were bought, end of story, lets move on to discussions that are actually relevant

[Silly Mammo]

OnI- The difference he was saying is Insomniac wasn't developing Spiderman and R&C to be multiplatform and then Sony bought the company and had it only for PS.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

ApocalypseShadow

Why do you care how they decided to acquire talent, games, etc? They did. Bethesda was approved. It’s part of MSFT. They’ve had a long history working together. Why are you still so emotional about it?

[--Onilink--]

@Silly Mammo

Except that there is no difference. They are exclusive now and thats all that matters.
All those other comments are just console wars irrelevant topics.

Again, does it make any difference for the person playing the game knowing it previously was not exclusive? No, they are already playing it

Does it make any difference to the person who cant play it because its not multiplatform anymore? No, they still cant play

The reason anyone would care about that is to start fighting with other people in forums, because in actual practical terms is really irrelevant, the game/studio is exclusive now and thats that

[StarkR3ality]

Someone people in these comments seriously.. first it's Xbox has no games, then it's Xbox's games are bad anyway/they bought the studios that were making those games anyway.

If Starfield comes out and is a 9/10 title I know for a fact you'll still get people saying stupid shit. Xbox could release a goty contender every quarter and you people would still moan. Things for Xbox are looking up, so that means playstation will have to respond and guess what, better/more games for us.

Just enjoy gaming man and stop bitching, is this a news site or a nursery.

[Lightning77]

"So, Microsoft has/had to purchase companies with games in development already to get any games out or put on game pass?"

All those 2024 titles are made in house What are you talkin about?

"But almost every game that has released or is releasing were developers Microsoft had to buy."

If it wasn't for Sony buying Firewalk and Haven we wouldn't have Concord and Fairgames announced with your logic. Then their showcase would of been on life support considering it was already Sony's poorest showing in awhile.

[Magog]

Winning? By what metric? Winning what exactly?

[Angyobangyo]

By Starfield living rent free in your head.

[Godmars290]

That's the thing: it doesn't. It just doesn't.

The only time it supposedly does is when the Xbox fan camp insist that it does. Somehow its become legitimate to start an "argument" by obsessives to declare that others are obsessed with what they're obsessed with.

I want a space opera game that's actually a space opera. With alien cultures and such. Not something that can be mistaken for Fallout in Space.

[Godmars290]

Hype?

Something they've had a long winning streak in, but then those games come out and reality hits like a brick wall.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I want a space opera game that's actually a space opera. With alien cultures and such. Not something that can be mistaken for Fallout in Space."

People like you´ll continue to scream "Fallout in Space" or "No Man´s Sky 2.0" out of jealousy not matter what.

"Hype?"

Yeah, HYPE!

True AAA current gen games in the pipeline, ALL exciting games made by goty awarded studios, plenty of variety and genre diverse with a special focus on RPG which is my favorite game genre. So yeah, Xbox gamers has plenty to be hyped and excited about Starfield and all of upcoming Xbox first party games in 2024.

"Something they've had a long winning streak in, but then those games come out and reality hits like a brick wall."

That´s all that is left for you to hope for, really. So, good luck on whatever mission you´re trying to achieve, I guess?

[potatoseal]

They haven't actually 'won' anything yet. But the most important thing is they are winning only in the hearts of their true fans and that's enough for MS and the fans. Hopefully pointing to a bright future of games that a lot more people actually want to play down the line, like in Starfield. If Starfield turns out really great, then that's a good thing. Great games are great games. I dont care what platform they're on. Different variety is key and looks like we're seeing that potentially happen. So good on them for that at least. Despite what I think of MS as a company, if great games are produced under them that I actually want to play, then that's good. Starfield looks to be one of them. Regardless of the disappointing 30fps announcement. I'm getting over that news already :)

[KingKionic]

Ah yes ive seen it all coming together. The fire of Xbox is so strong. Xbox will be like a locomotive moving at top speed down a calm intersection as Starfield hits and then Forza Motorsport.

But then by god 2024 will be like warming the soul just seeing the titles that we know coming.

Xbox got this on lock. It was foretold.

[Flawlessmic]

I literally cringe every time I read one of your posts......

Do you got sleep with a photo of Phil on side, your xbox on the other side.

[Shane Kim]

He is doing it for laughs. Relax.

[Elda]

LOL!! That sounds about right or that person is just being very sarcastic. I hope it's sarcasm.

[andy85]

You surely have to be a parody at this point

[Ninver]

Sarcasm?

[__SteakDeck__]

This is like the 5th article that Ryan McCaffrey has wrote in the past decade where he says “Confident Microsoft is Back!” Then when they have a dry period of not releasing AAA games, or when they release duds like Redfall he says “We’ve been chasing that Xbox high for 10 years” or “Xbox can’t deliver great AAA consistently narrative will (deservedly) persist. Rinse and Repeat. Lol

[Magog]

The click bait machine hard at work. Selling these poor people hope just to take it away. Cruel but they keep coming back for more.

[tienchiase]

good game

[MrVux000]

Deja vu.

[Bathyj]

Wow, media sure is trying hard to give Xbox a leg up.

[Ninver]

It's because xbox is American. Must uphold the patriarchy. Must back the local team.

[raWfodog]

I know there are Xbox fans and Sony fans (Nintendo fans too) that want their console of choice to ‘win’. But a true gamer wants the entire gaming industry to win so this pastime of ours continues of all of us to enjoy. Yes, competition is important for innovation. Like a mutual rivalry that spurs each of the participants to strive for greater heights over the other(s). But the death of one stagnates the growth of the other(s).

This constant bickering back and forth always reminds me of the instigated East Coast vs West Coast rap beefs that likely led to the deaths of two iconic rappers. I enjoy rap music from both coasts (and many points in-between) and I’m glad that us vs them mentality is over. I hope this console beef crap is over and done one day soon, but I hope it doesn’t come at the expense of any of the three consoles.

[Flawlessmic]

Don't hold your breath brother, will never happen as nice as that would be.

There are to many man children that can only have 1 console and will forever feel the need to wish bad on the things they don't or can't have.

[CS7]

I know right. I always hoped that as gamers mature into their 30s and 40s this console war crap would stop.

It's so immature, pointless and stupid.

Imagine scrolling down on a movie review and instead of discussing the content people are bickering on which streaming service is better.

I long for a day with the gaming community could be more mature.

I recently asked what games does Sony have for 2024, like a genuine question and got like 18 downvotes. The immaturity is insane.

[garos82]

these xbox fluff pieces are getting a little out of hand

[Inverno]

Hype is pyre for unrealistic expectations.

[Hofstaderman]

Here we go. 2024 will be the best year ever for XBOX. I swear to God there’s a glitch in the Matrix.

[northpaws]

Before the game is even launched, they are talking about winning streak... it is either shitty journalism or fat pay cheque.

[Elda]

Winning what? What are they winning? Winning of saying the same thing over & over again?

[Markdn]

I thought there was. Way to much 2024 stuff even after 3 years nearly of waiting patiently and starfield looks great but isn't a game I'll be buying just not my cup of tea as is the case with most of Bethesda fallout ki D of games

[lellkay]

"could be" being the key here. They've been treading water for 10 years, they are going to need more than one good presentation to deliver here.

Get all these games out, and have them all be GOTY contenders and then we will BEGIN to talk about Xbox making a possible comeback

[Soulsborne]

winning in terms of sales against the ps4 in japan for the first time because of starfield? If so yes, you are absolutely "winning". 💀

[ChasterMies]

I’ve heard this since the awful launch of the Xbox One in 2013. That’s 10 years of Xbox on the cusp of a winning streak! I’ll believe it when I see it. My feeling is that a lot of the franchises that Microsoft bought will be sent out to die like all those franchises bought by EA. I just don’t think Microsoft is the kind of company that understands games enough to maintain a win streak. I hope I’m wrong,

[repsahj]

I like it, putting gasoline to sony to ignite later. More gasoline please.

[blacktiger]

we all heard this from all game developers say great stuff and then sigh*
Only studio i respect is Naughty Dog

[moomoo319]

My guy… it is one exclusive they bought for 7.5 billion… they havent announced sh*t else 😂

[hiroyukisanada]

It's always Ryan McCaffrey with the puff pieces, man lol
It would honestly be nice to see Xbox finally deliver consistent quality games for their fanbase who have been riding with them for over a decade without consistent high quality exclusives.

Given their track record, I would caution getting too hyped up until quality comes out first. Each time he has done this, stuff gets delayed (Ark 2, Flintlock, Starfield, Forza) or comes out terrible (Redfall) and it's right back to "what in the world is going on with XB Games studios?"

Just wait for it to drop, and after they have released a few great games consistently, you can officially be hyped.

Remember the articles about the drought officially being over?? Exactly lol

Those of us who pay attention, also know this is why they never "needed ABK to compete."

They have 23 studios. We all knew they were coming, just should have been here much sooner.

I hope Fable turns out great! Loved the original

[boing1]

Could == Cloud. Coincidence? I don't think so. Now we know what power of the cloud really meant. It's power of the could .

[Abear21]

Yup, it’ll be great for gaming as a whole if the Xbox console starts pumping out reasons to play on it. For me, Starfield and Flight Sim ‘24 are enough to pull the trigger, until those are out and proven though it’s a wait and see

[UltimateOwnage]

lol, IGN knows who’s money will butter their bread.

[anast]

I wouldn't get too excited these articles are just MS marketing.

[Destiny1080]

the only game that stood out at the xbox event for me was Clockwork Revolution but after rewatching the trailer there really wasn't much gameplay, but it still looks interesting, obviously there was starfield, it almost seems like everything is riding on this one game, fable the one shot of the character jumping threw the flames just looked janky to me, they've upped the graphics but at what cost, outside of starfield there's not a peep from xbox gamers, was there anything else worth talking about, at the showcase

[P_Bomb]

Every journey starts with a single step. Starfield is a good step.

[sertz]

I'm optimistic about Xbox from here on out. The first few years of this gen have been kind of bleak, and I do agree with many about Microsoft mishandling their first party games in these last few years. But I think they have had enough of a wake up call here to better pace their future releases.

I admit I don't envy the position they're in right now, but they do have a *lot* of amazing looking games coming soon, not to mention a lot of stuff that wasn't even shown at the showcase like the new Perfect Dark, iD's new game, etc. because they just arent far along enough to show yet. I feel like it'll be a situation with the Series consoles having a very slow start, but mid-gen finding their footing and maintaining a strong showing throughout the rest of this gen.

Right now they need a win. I hope Starfield lives up to those trailers... It looks incredible, and it's nice to see that Microsofts studios are finally helping eachother out with iD helping out with the graphics of Starfield, and the gunplay. M$ needs more collaboration with their internal studios, just like Sony's internal studios help each-other out. Namely Guerilla and Naughty Dog, Insomniac etc. They all help each-other out and churn out AAA games consistently. Xbox needs to take note.

[Ra3030]

Lol....do these people ever get tired of hyping Microsoft crap. Redfall could have been the start of a long Xbox winning streak. Grounded could have been the start of a long Xbox winning streak. That Pirate game could have been the start of a long Xbox winning streak. Halo Infinite was suposed to be the start of a long Xbox winning streak. The most powerful console ever made the Xbox Series X could have been the start of a long Xbox winning streak if Microsoft was able to hit the 60fps mark with the games they make for their next gen consoles......but Microsoft is simply just not good enough!

[cheetah]

“Could be” lolz, yeah it could also be a massive pile of propaganda to spin the narrative on a brand that is at rock bottom. This was all so predictable after redfall, marketing 101, tell people your weak point is your strong point. Games, games, games.

[MrNinosan]

Starfield, absolutely, but it stands against TotK and FFXVI
What else in that show would make a win for Xbox? Fable?
Yeah maybe, but that's a game without a release year.
What other games in that show would you mean are "wins" for Xbox?