It has been an odd year for video game marketers. No longer able to rely on the E3 hype that comes around in June, Xbox instead opted to host regular streams/showcases detailing news about its upcoming games and, most importantly, the Xbox Series X.
Following months of speculation, leaks, delays, memes, and showcases, the Xbox Series X and its budget alternative, the Xbox Series S, are set to release in just a few days time.
You'd think at this point, Xbox would be done with livestreams and showcases, but they've got one more event to bring us into the next generation of gaming...
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Xbox Series X launch celebration stream
As we count down the days and hours until the Xbox Series X/S launch, Xbox UK will host a livestream celebration on November 9 from 6 PM GMT.
This show, hosted by Xbox On, will feature Series X gameplay from the console's launch titles, alongside prizes given out to those who participate in interactive challenges.
When the stream hits midnight, fans will be treated to a holographic display set against London's iconic skyline - something you might have seen in Watch Dogs Legion.
You can watch the stream from the Xbox On Twitch channel here.
Xbox will also hold another celebration stream on November 10 at 2 PM ET/7 PM GMT to mark the beginning of the next generation of gaming. You can view this stream on YouTube or Twitch.
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When was the last Xbox Games Showcase?
The first Xbox 20/20 video was broadcast at 8 a.m. PDT on May 7th 2020. And the latest Xbox event, known as the Xbox Games Showcase, took place on Thursday 23 July at 9 AM PT/5 PM BST.
READ MORE:Xbox Series X news today
How to watch the Xbox Showcase
You can tune in to Inside Xbox and Xbox Games Showcase on the official Xbox Mixer, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube accounts. Click any of those links to make sure you follow Xbox on your platform of choice!
The previous event was streamed at 1080p/60fps, and is now available to watch in a VOD at 4K/60fps here:
What did we see at the last Xbox Games Showcase?
After the previous Xbox event focused on third-party titles, the latest Games Showcase was dedicated to first-party games.
We saw a first look at the Halo Infinite campaign, including gameplay, and learned more about Hellblade II, The Medium, Everwild and Crossfire
Xbox also announced some huge new titles including a new Fable game, Avowed, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2, and Tell Us Why.
You can see our full breakdown of the Xbox Games Showcase here.
READ MORE: Xbox Series X games reveal: the full list of confirmed titles for Xbox Series X
What will we see in the next Xbox Showcase?
The Xbox Showcase on 24th September will NOT contain next-gen news. Instead, Xbox has said that it will hit thesee key topics in the show...
- Celebrating Japanese game creators & games
- Updates coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator for PC
- Japanese Minecraft community creativity
- Showcase broadcast in Japanese only
Xbox Series X pre-orders are open now
You could argue that we don't really need an Xbox show right now, because things have actually been happening beyond just hype and chat: that is to say, who needs a live-stream when Microsoft has bought Bethesda and Xbox Series X pre-orders began on 22nd September 2020.
Right now, we are seeing live product pages on Argos for the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles - you can click either of those links to see them!
There is also a live product page for the Xbox Series X on Amazon - you can click here to check it out. And you'll find Amazon's Xbox Series S product page, which still has stock at the time of writing, by clicking right here.
You could also check out the pre-order listing on the official Microsoft Store in the US here, or here if you're in the UK.