Microsoft has finally taken the wraps off of some Xbox Series X gameplay. Part of Microsoft's new Xbox 20/20 series of monthly livestreams, today's Inside Xbox event focused on third-party titles, showing us how the next wave of AAA games will benefit from 4K/60 fps performance, ray tracing and instant load times.
Wondering what you missed? Here's a full list of every game announced. Be sure to also check out the YouTube replay below and our archived live blog for all of our impressions on every title revealed.
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
- Madden 21
- Second Extinction
- Scarlet Nexus
- The Medium
- The Ascent
- Call of the Sea
- Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2
- Chorus
- Scorn
- Dirt 5
- Bright Memory Infinite
- Xbox Series X release date, price, specs and more
- All the Xbox Series X games we know about
Check out our live blog below for all the big announcements as they happened, complete with reactions, impressions and trailers.
Xbox Series X May 7 event live blog
All times ET - refresh for updates
11:46 am: And that's a wrap! A solid event overall. There weren't a ton of big third-party reveals aside from Madden (still no Call of Duty or Battlefield), but the games that we did see looked very impressive from a graphical standpoint.
It's encouraging to hear that a good portion of the games announced today support Smart Delivery, meaning anyone who buys them on Xbox One will get the Series X version for free. That could go on to be one of the Xbox Series X's defining features, especially if the PS5 doesn't have something to match. And developers seem especially keen on faster load times.
So when will Sony respond with its own reveal event? We'll just have to wait and see, but the rumors are pointing to June.
11:42 am: Next up is The Medium. From the team behind Layers of Fear and Blair Witch, this game focuses on psychological horror and will make the player question everything around them in a constantly shifting world. At this point I have to give Microsoft some props for the structure of the event -- we got tons of gameplay in 30 minutes, and now folks willing to stick around are getting more details on each title.
11:35 am: Looks like more deep dives on the announced games are coming. Next up is Dirt 5. The game will have tracks spanning the entire globe, tapping into next-gen hardware to make things like sunlight, rain and dirt really pop. And while we'll get plenty of online multiplayer options, there will also be 4-player split-screen for local multiplayer purists. You'll have options for either 4K gameplay at 60 fps or 1080p gameplay at 120 fps, the latter of which should look incredibly smooth. Oh, and Troy Baker and Nolan North are in here!
11:30 am: We're closing the show with a fresh look at Assassin's Creed Valhalla. That wasn't as much gameplay as we'd like to see, but what was there was quite impressive. The little tidbit of Viking adventuring on offer looked like a pre-rendered cutscene, which bodes well for the kind of fidelity we'll see on Microsoft's new console. Norway and the British Isles look gorgeous, but we want to see more action!
We're also getting a deep dive on the game from its creative director. Valhalla will feature raids that promise massive battles, as well as refined combat that builds on what we saw in Origins and Odyssey. Ubisoft confirmed that Valhalla will support Smart Delivery, so you'll be able to buy it on Xbox One and upgrade to the Series X version for free down the line.
11:27 am: Yakuza time! It looks like the beloved Japanese crime game is coming to Xbox Series X, with a new protagonist and some fantastic looking character models. Yakuza: Like a Dragon looks like more of the same Yakuza action that fans love, but dialed up to 11. And it's coming at launch!
11:25 am: There sure are a lot of creepy games at this show! Scarlet Nexus is a Japanese action game that has some of the most grossly mutated enemies I've seen in a game in a while, including what looks like bouquets of flowers with legs? The combat looks fast and fluid, and the anime-meets-horror art style definitely pops.
11:21 am: We're seeing The Medium, which is a surreal-looking horror adventure. Look at the particles on those crumbling buildings! It features the SIlent Hill composer, which should make it sound extra eerie.
11:18 am: Call of the Sea is a serene looking underwater exploration game. One takeaway from this show is that weather and water effects sure look pretty on Series X.
11:17 am: Now for something completely different. In this moody, creepy teaser for Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines II, we're seeing a mix of murder, people dancing, and a whole bunch of supernatural first-person adventuring. I'm getting a whole mix of Alan Wake meets Bioshock vibes here. Those special powers look awesome.
11:13 am: It's Madden Time! Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes showed up to confirm that Madden 21 is coming to Xbox Series X, before introducing a historical montage that shows the visual evolution of the iconic football game. As you might expect, this year's game looks incredibly lifelike from the brief tease we got. Madden 21 is also a Smart Delivery title.
11:11 am: We're now looking at Chorus, a futuristic space shooter with a really slick art style. This is the most gorgeous game of the show so far, with some amazingly realistic character models and tons of color. And it'll support Smart Delivery, so Xbox One owners get a free upgrade.
11:10 am: Now for something spooky. We're in some really eerie tomb with what looks like a remnant of the movie Alien lurking around a wall of flesh. The game is Scorn, and it seems like it'll use the Series X's power to really creep us out.
11:08 am: It wouldn't be an Xbox event without a racing game. Dirt 5 is an off-road racer that looks absolutely gorgeous running on Xbox Series X, with colors that pop and some impressively realistic weather and terrain effects.
11:05 am: And here. we. go. Our first game is Bright Memory, an intense looking first-person shooter with stealth gameplay, fluid movement, and a freaking grappling hook. Oh, and there are swords and driving mechanics? This game looks like Titanfall meets Dark Souls meets Forza, and we can't wait to play it. Oh, and it was made by one person.
11am: We're kicking things off with Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty, who stressed the important of every developer's safety, and how impressed he is at how well the first-party games are coming together from home. He also mentioned to stay tuned for the big July event, and all but confirmed that Halo Infinite gameplay is coming! But now it's time for third party stuff.
10:30 am: The big show is minutes away from kicking off, and the streams are live (see above to follow along on YouTube). Wonder what Xbox will start with? Our money is on Assassin's Creed.
9 am: We're just a few hours away from showtime! Last night, Microsoft revealed the "Optimized for Xbox Series X" logo, which it says we'll be seeing on every single game featured in today's showcase.
Every game you’ll see on #InsideXbox tomorrow will be Xbox Series X Optimized. Spoilers, you’re going to see this badge a lot.You ready? We’re ready. pic.twitter.com/pzSJmUvNUpMay 7, 2020
