The Xbox Games Showcase returns today, and if you’re a GeForce NOW fan, it’s one to watch closely. We expect most if not all games from Xbox Game Studios, including Bethesda and Activision, to land on GFN. That includes everything from long-anticipated sequels to entirely new IPs, all of which could become cloud-playable not long after their console and PC release. For third-party games appearing as day-one Game Pass titles, the trend is also clear. While not every Game Pass game comes to GFN, the majority now do, and the platform’s support for day-one launches has never been stronger. With Microsoft doubling down on a multi-platform future, this showcase could quietly mark another major leap for GFN’s growing library.
When and where to watch
The Xbox Games Showcase takes place today, Sunday June 9. The main event kicks off at:
- 6 PM BST (UK)
- 1 PM EDT (US East Coast)
- 10 AM PDT (US West Coast)
You can watch the livestream on Xbox’s official YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and TikTok channels. The stream will also include English audio description, ASL, and BSL support for accessibility.
Immediately after the showcase, there will be a full Outer Worlds 2 Direct, offering a deeper look at Obsidian’s upcoming RPG.
What we expect to see
Gears of War: E-Day
The long-rumoured Gears prequel is all but confirmed at this point. Titled E-Day, it’s expected to take players back to the early days of the Locust War, with a young Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago fighting for survival. The Coalition has been working with Unreal Engine 5 for years, and this could be the visual showcase of the event. Expect a darker tone, explosive set-pieces, and brutal close-quarters combat.
Fable
Playground Games has been quiet on Fable since the cinematic teaser, but a return is long overdue. Built with the same engine used in Forza Horizon, this reboot promises a fresh take on Albion, with lush environments and a blend of dry humour and fantasy action. Whether it’s a full gameplay reveal or another teaser, fans are hoping for a proper release window this time around.
Perfect Dark
The reboot from The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics has had a rocky development, but signs point to a big showing. Set in a near-future world dealing with ecological collapse, the game will reportedly mix spy mechanics, gadgets, and parkour movement. It’s been off the radar since the first reveal, so this is a key chance to reintroduce it with a clearer vision and gameplay footage.
State of Decay 3
Announced back in 2020 with a cinematic trailer, State of Decay 3 has remained behind the scenes. Undead Labs has spent the last few years rebuilding core systems to support more dynamic AI, deeper survival mechanics, and improved co-op. This showcase could finally mark its proper reintroduction, setting expectations for the next evolution of the zombie survival formula.
Call of Duty 2025
This year’s entry is expected to be led by Treyarch, potentially continuing or reimagining elements of the Black Ops series. Leaks suggest a near-future setting and a heavy focus on multiplayer, though the campaign is reportedly ambitious as well. Whether it gets a proper trailer or just a tease, it’s likely to be one of the biggest games of the year regardless.
Clockwork Revolution
inXile’s ambitious steampunk RPG was first revealed back in 2023, but updates have been sparse since then. Set in the city of Avalon, the game blends first-person action with time-manipulation mechanics that let players alter the past to reshape the present. The world is full of mechanical servants, social upheaval, and twisted clockwork technology. With the developers behind Wasteland and Arcanum at the helm, this could be one of Xbox’s most unique RPGs—if it reappears during the showcase.
The Outer Worlds 2 Direct
Right after the main showcase, Xbox is airing a dedicated deep dive into The Outer Worlds 2. This follows the same format used for Starfield and Call of Duty in previous years, setting aside time to fully explore one of their biggest upcoming games.
Obsidian’s sequel returns to the satirical sci-fi universe of the original but promises a bigger scope, new star systems, and more player choice than ever. The studio has kept quiet since the reveal trailer, which openly mocked the state of early game reveals, but development has been steady behind the scenes. This Direct is expected to offer the first proper look at gameplay, characters, and systems possibly including improved combat and new faction dynamics.
It’s also a chance for Obsidian to set the tone for what could be Xbox’s next major RPG franchise alongside Avowed and Fable. If The Outer Worlds 2 sticks to its blend of humour, player agency, and moral grey areas, this deep dive could be a major highlight of the day.
What might be missing
While this showcase is shaping up to be a big one, there are still a few games that probably won’t show up.
Forza Horizon 6 feels overdue. It’s been nearly three years since Horizon 5, and Playground Games typically doesn’t let that gap grow too long. But the rumour mill has gone quiet, and insiders suggest the title isn’t quite ready yet. With the studio focused on Fable, Forza Horizon 6 may still be further out than expected.
Other likely absentees include Everwild and Contraband, both of which have been in the shadows for years. There’s been no new marketing or updates, so they’re unlikely to make a sudden reappearance now.
Finally, Halo may not be ready to step into the spotlight yet. The studio—now rebranded as Halo Studios—has confirmed future entries are being built in Unreal Engine 5. A polished tech demo called “Project Foundry” has been shared internally, but the series is still in early development . With Halo Infinite winding down live service support, a new Halo is undoubtedly coming someday—just not today.
Third-party games to watch
Alongside its first-party lineup, Xbox usually brings a strong showing of third-party titles — especially those launching day-one into Game Pass. With most of those also landing on GeForce NOW lately, this section of the showcase could end up being just as cloud-relevant as the main event.
Persona 4 Remake
SEGA and Atlus have a strong history with Xbox, and the buzz right now is all around a Persona 4 remake. It hasn’t been officially announced, but with leaks and domain activity ramping up, this could be a surprise reveal and if it’s day-one on Game Pass, it’ll be one of the showcase’s standout moments.
A Plague Tale – New Sequel
A third entry in the Plague Tale series appears to have leaked ahead of schedule, and with Requiem having launched into Game Pass, a reveal here would make sense. The timing lines up perfectly, and Asobo Studios has been quiet for just long enough to fuel anticipation.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake
Ubisoft has been unusually quiet this summer, and rumours are swirling that Black Flag is getting a full remake. While it hasn’t been confirmed, this could be a major surprise drop at the showcase (More on Ubisoft shortly)
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Yes, again. After skipping SGF, all eyes are on Xbox to finally deliver a new update. The game is still listed as coming to Game Pass, and current rumours suggest it may launch in the next couple of months. If it’s ready, this would be the perfect time to announce it.
Black Myth: Wukong
Just confirmed for Xbox Series X|S earlier this week, this action-heavy mythology epic is getting close to launch. A new trailer during the showcase seems highly likely — and while it’s not a Game Pass title, it’s been a regular in Xbox marketing, so it’s almost guaranteed to show up.
Hardware and Game Pass rumours
Outside of game reveals, this showcase could also feature some major updates on Xbox’s broader ecosystem, particularly around Game Pass and handheld gaming.
The most talked-about hardware rumour is a new ASUS ROG Ally handheld, built in partnership with Xbox. It’s expected to be a more Game Pass-focused version of the Ally, potentially featuring a streamlined OS and tighter Xbox integration. Whether it’s a full reveal or just a tease, it would mark a clear step forward in Microsoft’s strategy to make Xbox more portable and cloud-ready.
Game Pass is also expected to get some spotlight, with growing rumours of a major Ubisoft drop. The big headline is that Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be added to the service very soon, despite launching just weeks ago. Other recent Ubisoft titles may also join the lineup, making this one of the most aggressive third-party pushes on Game Pass in months.
This part of the showcase may not be flashy, but if Xbox delivers on both fronts, it could set the tone for the next year of hardware and service expansion.
Third-party support beyond Xbox
The era of Xbox exclusivity is shifting fast. With Forza Horizon 5 now available on PlayStation and multiple Xbox-published titles already on Switch, Microsoft’s cross-platform push is no longer a quiet experiment. It’s a clear strategy. This showcase is expected to double down on that direction, with many trailers likely to carry PlayStation and Nintendo logos either during the show or in announcements that follow.
Almost every Xbox Game Studios title shown today is a candidate for multiplatform release. While some might be timed exclusives, the days of console lock-in are clearly numbered. This move isn’t just about selling more copies. It reflects Microsoft’s new vision of Xbox as a platform rather than a box.
We could also hear more about Xbox’s growing PC presence. The company is currently testing a rebrand of the Xbox Store on Windows, aiming to better separate console identity from its PC-first strategy. That might come with UI changes, cloud integration improvements, or new partnerships.
On the cloud front, deep integration with GeForce NOW continues to evolve. Players can now stream eligible titles directly from some Xbox Store pages using GFN, without needing to leave the browser. That kind of visibility is a huge step for cloud gaming and may get a quiet nod during the event.
All signs point to Xbox embracing a future where its games are playable almost anywhere. Today’s showcase might be the clearest reflection of that yet.
Why this showcase matters
This is more than just another Xbox event. It’s the first full showcase since Microsoft’s multiplatform shift became undeniable, and it’s happening at a time when the company is quietly redefining what “Xbox” even means.
We’re expecting a strong lineup of first-party games that will shape the next two years of releases, and many of them are almost certain to end up on GeForce NOW. From Gears to Fable to The Outer Worlds 2, these are not just console exclusives anymore they’re games you’ll likely be able to stream across devices, regardless of hardware.
At the same time, the third-party presence is stronger than ever. Between Game Pass partnerships, Ubisoft rumours, and cross-platform releases, this showcase could end up showing just how big Xbox’s reach really is. Add in possible announcements around cloud integration and PC rebranding, and you’ve got an event that touches every corner of Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem.
It’s not just about what gets announced it’s about where you’ll be able to play it. And right now, that includes more places than ever before.
