One of the main criticisms of the recent PlayStation Showcase is that it was mainly composed of CGI trailers. Microsoft isn’t making that same mistake as it promises that only actual gameplay and in-engine trailers are going to be used in its upcoming games showcase event.
Xbox’s VP for Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg recently revealed on Twitter that the upcoming Xbox Showcase will only use the in-game engine to show off its new titles. This is in response to a tweet by a fan stating that he wants to see only gameplay footage for announced titles.
“None of our first party games in the show are full CG trailers,” Greenberg tweeted. “Everything is either in-game footage, in-engine footage, or in-game footage with some cinematics. Each of our trailers will be labelled so it is hopefully clear for our fans.”
None of our first party games in the show are full CG trailers. Everything is either in-game footage, in-engine footage, or in-game footage with some cinematics. Each of our trailers will be labeled so it is hopefully clear for our fans.
— Aaron Greenberg 🙅🏼♂️💚U (@aarongreenberg) June 4, 2023
Fans have called out both Sony and Microsoft as its previous games showcases featured little gameplay footage. The most recent PlayStation Showcase features only CG trailers for most of the announced titles.
The Xbox Game Showcase and the Starfield Direct will run for around two hours and will only feature video games. “Can confirm there will be no movie or TV show trailers in our games show,” Greenberg added. This may be a dig at Sony’s recent event that featured a trailer for the upcoming Gran Turismo movie.
Greenberg also said that Microsoft will not commit to a 12-month release deadline for games featured in the upcoming event. This is the opposite of Microsoft’s promise during last year’s event that all featured games will come within 12 months. Hollow Knight: Silksong broke this promise from the tech giant as it has been delayed beyond the first half of 2023.
Many fans are expecting Microsoft to pull out all the stops with its upcoming showcase. The previous game showcase has been tainted by the botched release of Redfall, receiving negative reviews, and was released with technical issues with Xbox chief Phil Spencer reportedly upset with the game’s launch.
We do expect Microsoft to bring its A game with the upcoming event. Starfield will be the highlight of the event and will get a standalone deep dive directly after the main event. The game is set to launch on September 6th and this may be Microsoft’s last extensive showcase for the game before its release.
The Xbox Games Showcase will be live-streamed on June 11 at 10 am Pacific / 1 pm Eastern / 6 pm UK.
