Xbox is preparing to unveil its new broadcast format, the Xbox Partner Preview, on October 25. This new show promises an engaging look into what third-party partners have in store. Eager audiences can anticipate a riveting showcase with over 20 minutes of fresh trailers and captivating new gameplay footage. The event is set to air at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and fans worldwide will undoubtedly be tuning in to catch every exciting moment.
The confirmed lineup for the show is already impressive, with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Remedy Entertainment, and Studio Wildcard confirmed to be part of the roster. This means that gamers can expect tantalizing peeks into in-game activities for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. In addition to this, Remedy Entertainment will be revealing a new trailer for Alan Wake 2 – the upcoming sequel isn’t off to a great start ahead of its release – and Studio Wildcard is going to be presenting the inaugural gameplay for Ark: Survival Ascended. There’s also an exciting deep dive scheduled for Dungeons of Hinterberg by Microbird Games.
Beyond these confirmed previews, Microsoft hints that more developers will be joining the showcase. This suggests that there might be other unexpected treats in store for viewers, adding an element of suspense to the event. Thus, the one million dollar question is, will Activision Blizzard be a part of this showcase?
For those in the loop, Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard King was a headline-making move, sealing a whopping $69 billion deal. With such a significant merger, there’s understandable eagerness from fans to know if there will be any big announcements or reveals associated with the newly acquired giant.
However, in what may come as a slight disappointment, Microsoft has stated the Xbox Partner Preview won’t feature an update related to the buyout. The Xbox leadership, including the Xbox boss Phil Spencer, has previously indicated that fans shouldn’t expect games from the Activision Blizzard portfolio, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4, to make their debut on Game Pass until at least 2024.
Thus, while the Xbox Partner Preview promises a slew of engaging content from various third-party developers, any and all announcements or showcases from Activision Blizzard are officially off the table for this event. It’s safe to say that updates regarding the company’s plans for the upgraded Xbox Series X, among others, aren’t coming as well.
To cater to the global audience, Microsoft has ensured that the broadcast will be accessible in a multitude of ways. The Xbox Partner Preview will be streamed live on Xbox’s official channels, available both on YouTube and Twitch. Microsoft will also be streaming the event in more than 30 languages. In an inclusive move, the tech giant is offering its streams in American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and English Audio Description. To ensure every viewer gets the best experience, Microsoft’s official YouTube stream will support up to 4K/60fps, while all other channels will offer a resolution capped at 1080p/60fps.
While the Xbox Partner Preview promises a deep dive into what several third-party partners have to offer, including the latest updates on fan-favorite games and a fresh mix of indie games, any hopes of seeing content related to Activision Blizzard will have to be shelved for now. Nonetheless, with such a rich lineup, the event promises to be a memorable showcase for every gaming aficionado tuning in.
