"She's been making a lot of promises to old Xbox fans while pitching a return to the brand's roots." That framing sets the tone for Sunday's Xbox Games Showcase 2026, the first major event since Asha Sharma replaced Phil Spencer as Xbox CEO earlier this year. This isn't just another summer presentation. It's the first real test of whether Sharma's promises translate into an actual game lineup.
The event also lands on Xbox's 25th anniversary, which gives the company every reason to swing big. Here's the lowdown on what's confirmed, what's likely, and what's definitely not showing up.
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When and where to watch
The main Xbox Games Showcase starts at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 7. Right after it wraps, a dedicated Gears of War: E-Day Direct follows on the same platforms without any break between them.
You can catch everything live on YouTube in 4K60, Twitch, Facebook, Amazon Live, Amazon Prime Video, Steam, and Bilibili for viewers in China. An ASL version will also stream simultaneously. If you're planning to watch, YouTube at youtube.com/xbox or twitch.tv/xbox are your cleanest options.
The one confirmed game: Gears of War: E-Day
This is the only title Xbox has locked in ahead of the event. Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel set during Emergence Day, the moment the Locust first surfaced and tore humanity apart. Expect a segment during the main show followed by a much deeper look in the standalone Direct.
The big question hanging over E-Day is its release window. The game was targeting a 2026 launch, but Xbox has a history of slipping dates. Fable already pushed into 2027. Whether E-Day holds or follows the same pattern is something Sunday should finally answer.
First-party games without release dates
Halo: Campaign Evolved and Minecraft Dungeons II are both Xbox first-party titles still floating without specific launch dates. Both are realistic candidates for release window announcements here.
Clockwork Revolution, the next project from InXile Entertainment, has been quiet for a while and is overdue for a proper update. State of Decay 3 was teased back in 2020 and has barely surfaced since, which makes this a plausible moment for Undead Labs to resurface with something substantial.
Rumors around Toys for Bob developing a new Spyro game have circulated for some time. Nothing is confirmed, but the timing would fit if the project is far enough along.
Xbox has confirmed Project Helix, the next-gen console hardware, will not be addressed at this event. The showcase is focused entirely on the near-term software lineup.
The Bethesda wildcard: Fallout 3 remaster and more
This is where things get interesting. A Fallout 3 remaster has been rumored for a while, and after Oblivion Remastered pulled off a successful shadow drop earlier this year, there's a real template for Bethesda to repeat that move. The lack of concrete leaks this close to the event cuts both ways, though. Either the secrecy is intentional, or the remaster simply isn't ready.
Arkane's Blade game is another Bethesda title that could surface with new footage. MachineGames reportedly has the next Wolfenstein in development, and even a brief tease would generate significant buzz.
Activision's slot: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is coming this year, and Xbox will almost certainly dedicate time to it. Whether that means a new multiplayer reveal, campaign footage, or a release date confirmation, Activision has too much riding on this title to skip the platform's biggest summer moment.
What Sharma's first showcase actually means
The games matter, but so does the framing. Asha Sharma stepping into the Xbox CEO role with explicit messaging about returning to the brand's roots puts real pressure on this event to deliver something that feels different from recent years. Xbox has had strong individual game announcements before, but the follow-through on release windows and exclusivity has frustrated a lot of long-term fans.
This showcase is the moment where promises either start becoming reality or stay in the pitch deck. For a deeper look at everything Xbox has in its current library while you wait, check out our game reviews or browse the full gaming guides hub for tips on titles already available.
The Xbox Games Showcase starts Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the Gears of War: E-Day Direct following immediately after. Clear your afternoon.
