Xbox Gamescom 2017 Show Recap: All Xbox One X, All Bundles
Microsoft offers the Xbox One X for pre-order and more.
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It's not hard to see that Microsoft is hitting a rough patch this year. Primary competitor Sony is riding high with its PlayStation 4, which has sold 63.3 million systems worldwide. Nintendo has the momentum with the Switch, which is supply-constrained in Japan and other regions. In contrast, the Xbox One X may be powerful, but the price is high and Xbox One exclusives keep dropping off the board.
With this Gamescom 2017 press conference, Microsoft has another chance to show off not only why players should be an Xbox One this holiday, but also an Xbox One X. Let's see how they do.
Assassin's Creed Origins
To kick off the show, Assassin's Creed Origins creative director Jean Guesdon showed off the game's CGI cinematic trailer. Bayek goes in as a one many army to assassinate a masked priest. Assassin's Creed Origins is launching for Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4 on October 27, 2017. The game will have upgraded graphical effects for Xbox One X.
Jurassic World Evolution
As a genuine surprise, Microsoft showed off Jurassic World: Evolution, which is a Rollercoaster Tycoon-style game, but allowing players to build their own Jurassic World park. The game is being developed by Frontier Developments, the team behind Planet Coaster. Jurassic World Evolution is coming to Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4 in summer 2018.
Xbox One X Upgrades: Halo 5, Quantum Break, and World of Tanks
Like the PlayStation 4 Pro, one reason to get the Xbox One X is for the 4K enhancements for your favorite Xbox One games. While onstage, Xbox head of marketing Aaron Greenberg announced that Halo 5 and Quantum Break will be seeing 4K enhancements for Xbox One X and a trailer showed World of Tanks getting into the 4K action as well. Microsoft also offered an up-to-date list of Xbox One X-enhanced games.
ReCore Definitive Edition
Comcept's ReCore may have come out only a year ago, but it's getting a remaster already, with improved graphics and high dynamic range (HDR) color support. The Definitive Edition also adds the new Eye of Obsidian adventure to the game. ReCore: Definitive Edition is coming on August 29, 2017. If you're an Xbox Game Pass member, you get ReCore: Definitive Edition for free as a part of the program.
ID@Xbox Games
To celebrate the one year anniversary of the ID@Xbox program, program director Chris Charla showed off a sizzle reel of the indie games coming to Xbox One. The reel included Unruly Heroes, Hello Neighbor, Path of Exile, Raiders of the Broken Planet, Fable Fortune, Tacoma, Cuphead, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Battlerite, Strange Brigade, Black Desert Online, Robocraft, Conan Exiles, and Train Sim World.
Sea of Thieves
On the stage, Sea of Thieves executive producer Joe Neate and PC design lead Ted Timmins announced that the game will have full cross-play on Xbox One and PC. Neate called the experience "seamless". Sea of Thieves is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 in the first half of 2018.
Xbox One S Limited Edition Minecraft Bundle
This new Xbox One S (1 TB) features a full custom console and controller sporting looks from the game. It also includes a digital download of Minecraft, alongside additional Minecraft skins, sounds, and textures. It will be launching in all Xbox One market on October 3, 2017.
Middle Earth Shadow of War: Xbox One X Enhanced and Bundles
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War isn't an Xbox One exclusive, but Microsoft was playing up the game on stage. Shadow of War will be Xbox One X enhanced, but there will also Xbox One system bundles with the game. You can pick up an Xbox One S (500 GB for $279 or 1TB for $349) with Shadow of War by pre-ordering today, with a full launch on October 10, 2017.
Surviving Mars
Paradox Interactive and Haemimont Games are bringing Surviving Mars to Xbox One in 2018. This continues Paradox' console push after the release of Cities Skylines for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition
Available for pre-order today alongside the vanilla edition of the Xbox One X is the Project Scorpio Edition, featuring a custom One X in black and sporting the Project Scorpio logo. The controller matches the system and the pack comes with a vertical stand for the system as well. It's still the same price as the basic One X - $499 - so if you're pre-ordering one, you have options.
Family Games
For families, Disneyland Adventures, Rush: A Disney/Pixar Adventure, and Zoo Tycoon are also being remastered for Xbox One, with 4K and HDR support for Xbox One X.