Rumor: Xbox Games Showcase Planned for Early 2023

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Reports of an Xbox games showcase planned for early 2023 are being shared online, including hints at a new game announcement from a first-party studio. 2022 has been a challenging year for Xbox, with Starfield slipping into 2023 and a thin lineup of major first-party releases otherwise. Next year Xbox is looking to improve its situation through what will hopefully be a much stronger lineup of great games. A show in early 2023 focusing on those games could help start the year strong.

Games previously announced for Xbox in 2023 include Redfall, Starfield, Forza Motorsport, and Minecraft Legends. All four of these games have uncertain release dates, but an early 2023 showcase would be a great opportunity for an update on each game's development. Xbox Game Pass is also going to continue being a major focus for Xbox in 2023. A showcase would be an opportunity to offer updates on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Ark 2, Flintlock, and other anticipated releases.

The report of an Xbox games showcase in early 2023 comes from Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb. Grubb explains that he's heard about the event himself, though he doesn't cite any sources or offer his certainty that the event will happen. He does say that others have "hinted" that an event is happening, too, perhaps to support what he's saying.

There is one other exciting detail tied to Grubb's Xbox report. He says that the event will feature an announcement of a new game from one of Microsoft's studios. Specifically, it's said to be a new game from Tango Gameworks, but with a catch. Instead of something the size of The Evil Within or Ghostwire: Tokyo, the new game is supposed to be smaller. Think Pentiment, a smaller Obsidian Entertainment project while the studio works on Avowed at the same time.

Games aside, Xbox really has to address a big question that most of its fans are probably thinking about right now. That question is regarding what Xbox is even doing right now. Xbox has had a surprisingly quiet back half of 2022 and most fans likely don't know what's happening on Xbox in 2023. Even if Xbox doesn't have much to show, an event showcasing Xbox and Bethesda games in early 2023 would help sate fans' worries.

For the time being, news of an Xbox event early in 2023 should still be looked at as a rumor. While Grubb has historically been reliable in his reporting, he can also be misinterpreted or have news that's changed since he's heard it. If there is an Xbox event coming in the next few months, though, expect to hear an official announcement before long.