It’s the 2023 Microsoft Leak that just keeps on giving. As our original article indicated, all Microsoft’s gaming plans were revealed when their 2023-2030 Roadmap was accidentally put online by them themselves. But it wasn’t just their PC and console hardware plans for new consoles, a handheld and a new premium controller that got leaked, no, the entire Xbox Future Games Roadmap regarding Bethesda Software was put online for all to see as well. Let’s go over what newly revealed video games have been greenlit for Xbox’s future…
Here is Xbox’s Unannounced Future Games Roadmap:
As part of the FTC vs Microsoft court case, over three years ago in July 2020 Microsoft gave a presentation about the at-the-time not yet realized ZeniMax (Bethesda, Machine Works, Tango) acquisition. One of the games that is listed under a tentative title, but has actually already been released, is the code-named Project Hibiki that is now known as Hi-Fi Rush.
Please note that these release dates are tentative and many have already been delayed by 1 year or more.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (originally set for a fiscal year 2022 release).
- Indiana Jones Game (originally set for a fiscal year 2022 release).
- DOOM Year Zero and future DLC (fiscal year 2023) and a second set of DLC (fiscal year 2024).
- Project Kestrel (fiscal year 2023) and an expansion (fiscal year 2024).
- Fallout 3 Remastered (fiscal year 2024).
- Ghostwire: Tokyo 2 (fiscal year 2024).
- Dishonored 3 (fiscal year 2024).
- Project Platinum (unknown date).
- Licensed IP Game (unknown date).
The leaked document (shown above) revealed plans for remastered Bethesda RPG games including “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered” and “Fallout 3 Remastered”. As expected lots of “Starfield DLC” expansions are in the making, with the first DLC scheduled to arrive 1 year after launch. For shooter fans, a new DOOM game titled “DOOM Year Zero,” and other Bethesda titles in development are “The Elder Scrolls 6” and the long-rumored “Indiana Jones” video game. Which fans are sure to love much more than the 4th movie in the franchise, so do not expect the game to be set in the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny setting.
Over on Reddit, an Xbox fan compiled a list of these games and others in development by other Xbox studios like Gears 6, Ori 3, a new Killer Instinct, etc. In general, if you have a Game Pass subscription, you’ll be hard pressed not to find at least two games a year to play to make it worth the yearly subscription price, since all these games will appear “on Game Pass Day One”. It’s the best deal in gaming.
As for other third-party developers Microsoft is looking to buy up to expand their games lineup…
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer expressed interest in a leaked email in acquiring Nintendo, but acknowledges the challenges of such a merger due to Nintendo’s financial strength. So the acquisition remains uncertain, which seems obvious as Nintendo over the past 20 years has repeatedly declined Microsoft’s take-over bids.
Last I checked Nintendo’s warchest is so large that they can have failed consoles/handhelds for the next 20+ years and still not go bankrupt, but obviously their Switch games continue to be successful and the company is even expanding to real-life Nintendo theme parks and making chart-topping movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie that grossed $1.36 billion on a $100 million budget.
Microsoft is actively discussing other mergers and acquisitions as well, including Warner Brothers Interactive (of Batman Arkham, Harry Potter, Lego, Mortal Kombat games fame) and even Valve (known for Half-Life, Counter-Strike and of course the Steam PC storefront). The Xbox team aims to continue expanding its gaming portfolio.
I doubt they can get Valve, Steam makes billions, so they have stacks of money left and right and no need to sell since they’re a privately owned company. Now that they are working on a new VR headset and the Steamdeck PC handheld has been such a success, they have even less reason to sell when they can just do whatever they feel like nowadays. I just wish they felt like finishing the story of Gordon Freeman in Half-Life 3!
Which of the leaked Xbox games are you most excited for?
It’s DOOM Year Zero and Bethesda’s Indiana Jones Game for me! 😀