Xbox and Bethesda have teamed up to host their first joint E3 conference since Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media in September of last year. It was a hit show filled with exciting reveals and updates, but if you want to cut down on the fat, here are all the details on the show's five biggest announcements. From Starfield to Redfall, and everything in between, here are the biggest announcements from the Xbox and Bethesda games showcase at E3 2021.
Starfield is an Xbox exclusive and will arrive in 2022
Todd Howard started off with one of the show's biggest revelations. 25 years in the making, Starfield is being described as a next-gen RPG epic about hope and our shared humanity, and it finally has a release date. During the Xbox conference, we got our first look at the footage built into the game engine, which was first shown in 2018. The video introduced us to one of Starfield's characters, who is part of a space movement called " Constellation". , described as "the last group of space explorers". Players will participate in the "Beginning of Humanity's Final Journey" and explore many worlds. The other big Starfield news is that it will release on November 11, 2022. And if you were wondering if future Bethesda games will be Xbox exclusives after Microsoft's historic acquisition in 2020, here's a compelling answer, one that he repeated throughout the show. In addition to coming to PC, Starfield will be an Xbox console exclusive. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also be able to access it on launch day.
Contraband is a new open-world cooperative game from the creators of Just Cause Avalanche Studios.
Xbox unveiled a new game at the opening of its E3 conference, set to the soundtrack of Steely Dan's “Do It Again”. Contraband is an open-world cooperative game in development by Avalanche Studios, the developers of Just Cause and Mad Max. It sounds like you'll be playing as a treasure hunter, as the video featured a blueprint to steal loot from a fireproof safe. The images also gave us a little glimpse at some of the Contraband characters. Stuck in time, they were seen lying down, possibly discussing the next big score and fixing a dirty truck. The game has a distinctive 1970s theme, judging by the decor. Sadly, we haven't had any indication of a release date for Contraband, but it's coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one, and it's going to be an Xbox console exclusive. It sounds promising, especially for fans of the chaotic action and brilliant movement technology featured in the early Avalanche games.
Obsidian creates the Outer Worlds 2 and is an Xbox exclusive
Thanks to a wonderfully irreverent Obsidian trailer, we learned that the studio is hard at work on The Outer Worlds sequel in 2019. The Outer Worlds 2 is an Xbox exclusive, which means it's coming to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Windows 10 and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also be able to play it on launch day, the trailer revealed. But uh, when it comes to the content of the trailer, the narrator made it clear that nothing is finished yet, except the title of the game. The CGI visuals were amazing though, and it's certainly possible to 'expand The Outer Worlds IP into a series of space RPGs. It's a shame the huge monster from the trailer isn't in the game, apparently. Unfortunately, there was no game to show yet, but we will surely see it in time. Of course, there's no word on a release date either, but at least we know it's on the way!
Forza Horizon 5 is set in Mexico and will arrive on November 9
Playground Games revealed Forza Horizon 5 during the Xbox conference, and it's set in Mexico. The sequel to 4's Forza Horizon 2018 features a lot of biodiversity, as the game featured cars driving through small detailed cities and volcanic mountain ranges. The largest preview showed that real players can connect and play together with very few conditions thanks to improved server technology and the "Forza Link" artificial intelligence system. One clip showed players seamlessly jumping into an event where they had to pop piñatas to win. Another more arcade-focused event saw cars crash into bowling pins in an artificial arena. The end of the trailer revealed that Forza Horizon 5 is coming to Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also be able to experience Forza Horizon 5 on launch day, which is November 9, later this year.
Arkane Austin's next game is Redfall, an Xbox-exclusive open-world cooperative shooter.
Xbox closed the show with a big reveal. Redfall is the next game from Arkane Austin (Prey, Dishonored) and it is an open world cooperative shooter that will arrive in the summer of 2022 (that is, between June and August). Redfall takes its name from the game's backdrop, a town in Massachusetts where vampires have blocked out the sun. Redfall stars four characters, Devinder Crousley, Layla Ellison, Jacob Boyle, and Remi De La Rosa. The trailer showed the four vampire hunters fighting hordes of leeches with robots and supernatural powers. The game's website claims that Redfall will blend singleplayer and multiplayer options seamlessly, meaning you can have fun on your own or with a group of four friends in co-op. There will also be "different Hero Loadouts" available to fine-tune your hunter and increase variety. Redfall is an Xbox console exclusive, which means it releases on Xbox and PC, not PlayStation. It will also be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers on launch day, which is summer 2022.