The list mentions several games Microsoft has planned for 2023.
There is no doubt that Xbox has been suffering from a gaming drought. Gaming-wise, Microsoft did not have a good 2021 or 2022 as not many major AAA exclusives were released for the platform. A recent claim suggests that 2023 might be a lot different.
The prominent report, Jeff Grubb, revealed some interesting information during episode 146 of the Xbox Expansion Pass podcast. He claimed that in 2021-22, the internal schedule of Microsoft was hoping for nine major exclusive games in 2023. We can add even more titles to the list.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II in 2023 seems likely, as the game has been in development for a while now. The highly anticipated sequel was revealed in TGA 2019, with the first gameplay footage in TGA 2021. Microsoft should unveil more at this year’s The Game Awards.
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark is another game that was revealed a while ago. It was announced in 2020 and is supposed to be a AAAA game. Microsoft’s studio, The Initiative, is working with Crystal Dynamics to develop the game.
Fable
Playground Games, the developer of the Forza Horizon series, is confirmed to be working on the next Fable game. According to Microsoft, the game is being developed using ForzaTech and will release for Xbox Series X|S and Microsoft Windows.
Contraband
Contraband is an upcoming co-op game by Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios. Players will participate in heists in a fictionalized version of 1970s Bayan.
Avowed
Avowed is one of the most anticipated Xbox-exclusive games for good reasons. The developer Obsidian Entertainment had previously worked on critically acclaimed titles like Fallout New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. So, players have an actual reason to be excited.
Everwild
Everwild is Rare’s next big title after Sea of Thieves. The reveal trailer has fans excited because of its art direction. More information about the title should be close, as it’s been almost three years since the initial announcement.
New Games from inXile Entertainment, Compulsion Games, and The Coalition
It has been a while since these three studios released proper triple-A games. Microsoft has confirmed that the above studios are working on games and have refused to share the names. At least we know that The Coalition title is not Gears 6.
Starfield
Starfield’s release next year is a dead certainty. After multiple delays, the developer confirmed the space RPG will release in the first half of 2023. It will be the first new Intellectual Property by Bethesda in over 25 years. The same studio is also developing The Elder Scrolls VI, but that title should be years away. It makes sense that Grubbs didn’t mention Starfield as it was previously targetting a 2022 release.
Forza Motorsport (2023)
Turn 10 Studios is developing the next entry in the Forza Motorsport series for Xbox Series X|S and Microsoft Windows. The game is targeting the second quarter of 2023. Weirdly this title was also not mentioned by Grubb but is assured to release next year.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Even though Microsoft has canceled and refunded Pre-orders of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the developer is still adamant that they will release the game next year.
STALKER 2 has had a tough time recently. The game was put on indefinite hold due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, as the original developer is based there only. A new team in Prague is now in charge of the project.
Just because Microsoft thinks that these games will release next year doesn’t mean they absolutely will. Nothing is set in stone in the video game industry, as projects can get delayed for various reasons.
