Alex Omenye
Microsoft kicked off its annual Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday, unveiling a new all-digital version of its Xbox Series X and S consoles, along with trailers for more than a dozen upcoming games, including the highly anticipated next installment of “Call of Duty.”
The showcase comes at a critical juncture for Xbox and Microsoft, as the gaming industry faces a downturn with publishers grappling with softer sales, layoffs, and studio shutdowns.
Among the hardware revealed were three new gaming consoles: a disc-less version of the Xbox Series X and S, and a special edition of the Series X boasting 2 terabytes of storage.
This hardware refresh is seen as a strategic move to boost Xbox console sales in competition with Sony’s PlayStation 5.
The event featured a variety of game trailers, including “Doom: The Dark Ages,” the latest installment in the long-running “Doom” franchise, and a sneak peek at the newest “Gears of War” title, marking the end of a five-year wait for one of Xbox’s most popular series.
Many of these new titles, including “Doom” and “Call of Duty,” will be available on Xbox Game Pass on their launch day. This indicates Microsoft’s strong commitment to its subscription service as it aims to attract consumers amid a relatively softer economy.
Following the showcase, Activision Blizzard studios presented a special feature on “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” slated for release in October. Developers Treyarch and Raven Software shared clips from the game’s campaign, set in the early 1990s, highlighting new features such as a movement system that allows players to sprint in all directions and a preview of the fan-favorite “Zombies” mode.
