After a multi-year absence, Microsoft’s gaming focused ‘X’ trade show recently made its triumphant return to unveil the latest on the horizon for Xbox and PC. This year’s edition dubbed ‘X018’ promised a number of big reveals relating to both platforms and most certainly delivered with announcements of new titles, release dates, and new studios joining the Xbox umbrella. Check out the recap of reveals below.

Xbox Game Pass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B9KA8flOVg

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, a.k.a. PUBG has been letting Xbox One players scramble for the coveted Chicken Dinner for a number of months now, eventually reaching its 1.0 milestone on the console this past August. With this momentous launch behind them, the battle royale title has gone on to celebrate the occasion with their addition to the Xbox Game Pass service, allowing subscribers to freely play the game starting on November 12th.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is another title notably hitting the service, following its premiere on the Xbox One earlier this year. It too will see a free offering on Xbox Game Pass, alongside a myriad of others such as Ori and the Blind Forest, Agents of Mayhem, and Thief of Thieves. Also premiering is a stylish new title called Void Bastards inspired heavily from strategic shooters such as BioShock and System Shock 2.

The full list of titles announced for Xbox Game Pass include:

November 10th

• Thief of Thieves

November 12th

• PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

November 22nd

• Agents of Mayhem
• MXGP3
• Thomas Was Alone

December 4th

• Mutant Year Zero

December 17th

• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

December 20th

• Ori and the Blind Forest

December TBA

• Kingdom Two Crowns

January 2019 TBA

• Aftercharge

2019 TBA

• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Pathologic 2
• Secret Neighbor
• Supermarket Shriek
• The Good Life
• Void Bastards

Crackdown 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulPrpqAOA7U

Another announcement that “got the jump” on Xbox fans was the reveal of Crackdown 3, or rather it’s long-awaited release date. Arriving February 15th, 2019, the title will finally head to Xbox One and PC, ushering in the announcement with a hilarious Terry Crews video as well as some explosive new gameplay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90bS4Ngjgcs

Crackdown 3’s launch can’t come soon enough, but what will surely soothe the pain of that wait time is the original Crackdown, which has become free of charge for a limited time. The digital download is currently live on the Xbox Marketplace and touts a number of Xbox One X enhancements for all those 4K enthusiasts out there. The offer only lasts until November 30th, so it’d be best to get crackin’! Crackdown 3 launches for PC and Xbox One on February 15th, 2019.

Battlefield V

The intricately recreated landscape of World War II is the subject of Battlefield V and developer EA DICE seems to have done a stellar job in immersing players in the era. Crisp gameplay and visuals are surely expected from the storied shooter franchise, but this aspect is given even greater emphasis for those on the Xbox One X. X018 has shown of several of the enhancements arriving to the game at launch, including a touted 4K resolution and deeper HDR visuals. Of course, nobody can spot these pretty upgrades on a YouTube video, so Battlefield V is likely best seen when it hits Xbox One X (alongside PC and PlayStation 4) on November 20th.

Xbox Adaptive Controller

Good news: The Xbox Adaptive Controller is coming to 17 new markets—including Mexico—in 2019. #X018 #InsideXbox #GamingForEveryone pic.twitter.com/cZPEjAJPVj

— Xbox (@Xbox) November 10, 2018

Since the Xbox Adaptive Controller was announced, the gaming peripheral has been celebrated for its dynamic and effective ease in allowing disabled players to enjoy the interactive medium. The innovating device went live in several earlier this year, but X018 has revealed that we can now expect an epic worldwide launch in 17 new markets. The full list of areas getting the acclaimed controller are listed below:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Israel
• Japan
• Mexico
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Slovakia
• Taiwan
• Turkey
• UAE

Kingdom Hearts III

We’ve already seen the like of Tangled, Big Hero 6, and Pirates of the Caribbean make the cut for Kingdom Hearts 3, but we now have confirmation that the lovable critters from the Hundred Acre Wood are also joining the fun. Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and a number of other familiar Disney characters appeared during their X018 showcase alongside plenty of of intriguing gameplay. Kingdom Hearts 3 arrives for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 29th, 2019.

Xbox One Backward Compatibility

⚪ #FinalFantasy XIII
⚪ #FFXIII-2
⚪ Lightning Returns #FFXIII

are all coming to #Xbox One as backward compatible titles next week! #XO18 pic.twitter.com/UK51I5mTkg

— FINAL FANTASY (@FinalFantasy) November 10, 2018

While Final Fantasy XV experiences a halting of DLC, the series nonetheless moves forward with the addition of Episode Ardyn, a new Dissidia character, and a special crossover event. However, those who were fans of last generation’s XIII trilogy are in luck as the trio of titles are being added to Xbox One’s backward compatibility program! Huzzah!

Sea of Thieves – ‘ The Arena’

The pirate-themed MMO Sea of Thieves has brought a number of different updates since launch, but now brings a new PvP aspect to the swashbuckling proceedings. Called ‘The Arena,’ players will be able to test their pirate might in fast-paced matches and treasure hunts against rival crews. The new mode introduces new goals, rewards, as well as a tavern under a new Trading Company called the Sea Dogs. All is sure to have players arrr-ing with delight when it arrives in Early 2019.

Jump Force

While we already knew Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza would feature among Jump Force’s manga-fied roster, X018 revealed some exceptionally powerful iterations of the three characters. Vegeta and Goku are now confirmed to appear in their Super Saiyan Blue transformations while Lord Frieza is gilded in his glorious golden form. Seen above, they’ll also come packed with a few of their super-enhanced abilities such as the Super Kamehameha and the planet-annihilating Death Ball. Jump Force hits PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

State of Decay 2 – Zedhunter Update

Next up was State of Decay 2’s free Zedhunter Update, which adds several pieces of content to the zombie-slaying simulator. A tactically deadly crossbow enters the player’s inventory, as does a number of other murderous melee weapons, consumables, and updates to the base gameplay. More information regarding the update is set to arrive closer to the its launch sometime in 2019, but at least we got a nifty trailer out of the deal.

Just Cause 4

Causing a tidal wave of mayhem and blowing it all up is pretty much the norm in the Just Cause franchise, and the forthcoming fourquel looks to top that action-packed premise in more ways than one. The newest trailer gives a cinematic look at the epic feats at the reach of players fingertips, including storm-ridden vehicle chases, fiery helicopter diving, and yep, a bevy of amusingly over-the-top situations. Just Cause 4 hits PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on December 4th.

#GiveWithXbox

You can help give the joy of gaming!
📸 Take a photo that shows what ‘gaming together’ means to you.
📣 Share on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
👊Tag with #GiveWithXbox.
🎁 For every photo #Xbox will donate $5 in Xbox products–up to $1M to four charities!https://t.co/crNaKk1BIN pic.twitter.com/tHqgsrca8r

— Xbox (@Xbox) November 10, 2018

The holiday season is upon us, and while we’ve all got pumpkin pie on the mind, Xbox has already begun gift-giving with it’s new #givewithXbox campaign. For anyone who shares their heartwarming story of gaming togetherness on social media and hashtags #givewithXbox, the company has pledged to give $5 USD (up to $1 million) to four gaming-related charities: Child’s Play, Gamers Outreach, SpecialEffect, and Operation Supply Drop. Not only will players’ feeds be sporting some lovely holiday cheer, but the gift of gaming will also reach those who wouldn’t normally get it. Win-win for everyone!

Minecraft – Cats & Pandas Update

Minecraft has been tapped by fans to include blocky representations of cats and pandas, and while simply adding the two species to the sandbox game would be sufficient, it wouldn’t exactly be Mojang’s style. No, they’ve instead built lore around why cats and pandas were never included in the first place, citing the two animals’ interspecies feud stretching back multiple hundreds of years. Luckily the cute critters eventually reach a means for peace by the end and are now headed to Minecraft in an upcoming update.

Devil May Cry 5 – ‘Void Mode’

X018 broke up the epic stream of gameplay showcases with a look at the goings on over at Capcom and eventually reveal a new mode within the upcoming Devil May Cry 5 called Void Mode. The feature is essentially a means to practice combos, learn enemy tactics, and explore capabilities of the game’s Devil Breaker abilities. It’s packed with a pretty wide assortment of options, seemingly suiting the needs of any stylish-hunting hero. Devil May Cry 5 will release for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 8th, 2019.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider – The Forge

Following the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, players who reached the end of Lara Croft’s adventure were likely left wanting more of the series’ signature exploration and puzzle platforming, a promise Square Enix was keen to answer with a slate of seven upcoming content packs. The first of these new quests sends Lara to a new setting called The Forge, and it looks to have much of what fans are clamoring for. New story elements and both single and co-op challenges are made available in this new DLC as well as a tactical array of extras. The Forge hits PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 13th.

Metro Exodus – Spartan Collector’s Edition

The desolate Russian wilderness is open for exploration in the upcoming Metro Exodus, having now left the intricate tunnels of series past behind. The new season-changing setting of the thrilling survival shooter is poised to give fans a quality experience, and clearly reflecting the concept with the Spartan Collector’s Edition at X018. The package includes a number of goodies such as replicas of Artyom’s in-game postcards, a set of Spartan Order dog tags and patches, as well as a premium quality Artyom statue; all of which are contained within a large biohazard canister. Pre-orders are currently live on the Metro website. Metro Exodus drops for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on February 22nd, 2019.

Razer x Xbox

While a great many enjoy giving their games ago with controllers, any PC player will profess the advantages of a keyboard and mouse setup. For this reason the mode of control has often flirted with Xbox hardware, enabling support for a handful of games such as Fortnite and Warframe as of writing. Now, hardware manufacturer Razer is partnering with Xbox to produce a new keyboard-mouse combination from the ground up. While this is an intriguing notion, little else was revealed about the in-the-works devices, but was teased for the CES 2019 event taking place from January 8th to the 11th.

Forza Horizon 4 – ‘Fortune Island’

Hunt for hidden treasure and explore the largest, most extreme location ever seen in a Horizon game. #ForzaHorizon4 Fortune Island arrives December 13th. #X018 #InsideXbox pic.twitter.com/86KQT5FeqB

— Xbox (@Xbox) November 10, 2018

Acclaimed racing experience Forza Horizon 4 also had a showcase at the recent X018 event, detailing a rough new expansion called Fortune Island. The DLC will bring drivers along the interesting terrain of the northern British Isles, where cliffs, extreme weather, and the skyscape glow of aurora borealis graces the incoming track environments.

Though not part of the Fortune Island update, Forza Horizon 4 is also continuing its rollout of five vehicles featured in the upcoming Ken Block car series GymkhanaTEN. A total of three slick cars have already been released for Car Pass members at the end of October, with November and December yielding another set before the year is over. A list of subsequent cards can be seen below alongside a trailer.

October

• 1977 Ford GymkhanaTEN
• 1977 F-150 Hoonitruck
• 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth Group A

November TBA

• 1965 Ford Hoonicorn Mustang V2
• 2017 Ford Fiesta RS

December TBA

• 2016 Ford GymkhanaTEN Focus RS RX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2492gqA5II

Microsoft Acquires Obsidian, inXile Entertainment

.@Obsidian and inXile join the Microsoft Family. https://t.co/BsdX6JwJhb #X018 #InsideXbox pic.twitter.com/Z8BkV1me3Q

— Xbox (@Xbox) November 10, 2018

One of the biggest pieces of news to come out of X018 was news of Microsoft’s newest studio acquisitions: Obsidian and inXile Entertainment. Obsidian notably brought about popular titles Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, and inXile was behind the character-focused RPG Torment: Tides of Numenera. Having such creative studios on hand is almost sure to benefit Microsoft, but it’s currently unknown what the company could have planned for them in the future.

Black Friday Deals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMQ64hIKXds

Last but not least, X018 disclosed a number of discounts to both hardware and games. Xbox One consoles and bundles are touted at up to $100 off retail price, and games are getting slashed at up to $25 off. Additionally, Xbox Wireless Controllers and Design Lab are given a respective $20 and $10 USD discount, in addition to Xbox Game Pass and Gold memberships being only a dollar each for the first month. Those who want to browse the savings for themselves can do so on the Xbox site.

What do you think? Were you impressed with what Microsoft’s X018 had to offer, or were you not so enthused? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines from elsewhere in gaming, check out these next few headlines:

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