Earlier than we begin getting pumped up for what must be a giant 2024 for Xbox, I needed to take the chance right here on this ultimate Unlocked column of 2023 to look again on my favourite Xbox moments of the yr. It’s actually been a memorable yr for Xbox, what with a serious shadow-dropped first-party unique, the most important first-party launch since a minimum of Gears of Battle 3 (if not Halo 3), the continuing saga that was the Activision-Blizzard acquisition, and extra. Right here’s what I’ll keep in mind most once I assume again on Xbox in 2023:
Out of the Shadows
When Microsoft held its first-ever Xbox Developer Direct in January, we anticipated great things that we bought, like a launch date for Redfall. We additionally anticipated some great things we’d find yourself having to attend longer for, like launch dates for Forza Motorsport and Starfield. However Microsoft managed to pleasantly shock everybody with the mid-Developer Direct announcement – and quick launch – of Hello-Fi Rush, a classy rhythm-action sport from Tango Gameworks, a studio recognized for making video games which are tonally the polar reverse of the cheery and upbeat adventures of a robo-armed teenager named Chai. It wasn’t simply cool as a result of it was a shadow-dropped first-party sport. It was cool as a result of it was a shadow-dropped first-party sport that’s legitimately excellent. That second goes to be remembered for years to return in Xbox historical past.
A Weekend in Hell
Diablo 4 was not just one of my most anticipated video games of 2023, it was in all probability one of my most anticipated video games within the final half-decade. I’m a large fan of the collection, and Diablo 4 as much as that time had been giving off some critical Diablo 2 vibes (this can be a very, superb factor) ever since I first bought my arms on it final December.
So when Blizzard held its first beta weekend in March and allowed us to play all of Act 1 of the long-awaited action-RPG, I used to be glued to my sofa, barely transferring off of it as I voraciously consumed every thing the beta needed to supply and test-drove the Barbarian I’d come to roll with the complete model in June. And it was the water-cooler second for players of all stripes, be they Xbox gamers or not. Everybody appeared to find it irresistible, and on prime of that, it served as a vital take a look at of Blizzard’s servers that will later show beneficial when the full, ultimate model of Diablo 4 launched with no main on-line connectivity points.
ForzaTech Goes Fantasy
In my humble opinion, the Fable reboot that’s properly underway at Playground Video games – a studio with an impeccable monitor report – has the very best ceiling out of something within the Xbox portfolio not named The Elder Scrolls 6 (which is even farther away than Fable is). And I’m speaking each in phrases of potential high quality and potential gross sales. Fable could possibly be unbelievable and it could possibly be big, and it couldn’t be in higher arms than Playground’s, when you ask me.
As such, getting our first glimpse of in-engine gameplay from Fable at June’s Xbox Showcase was merely superior – each for the way unbelievable it seemed from a graphics standpoint in addition to its distinctive new Jack and the Beanstalk-inspired new tackle the Fable universe. Fable dropped my jaw, and I clearly wasn’t alone. Actually, there was a lot of chatter on-line within the aftermath of the Showcase from followers who didn’t imagine what we have been proven was actual. Playground confirmed that it’s from their sport engine, and I completely can’t wait to see extra. This may’ve low-key been my favourite of these half-dozen favourite Xbox moments in 2023, solely as a result of it gave me much more confidence that Playground goes to blow us all away each time the Fable reboot is lastly able to go.
Into the Starfield
That first weekend of Starfield? The early entry weekend when Xbox followers lastly bought their arms on Todd Howard’s first new RPG since Fallout 4 in 2015? That was particular. It was in all probability the Xbox’s greatest “you needed to be there” water-cooler second in an extended, very long time. The thrill, the thrill, the hype – Xbox gamers hadn’t loved a launch that monumental in a few years. Say what you’ll concerning the ultimate sport when it was all mentioned and accomplished – some people have been a bit upset, whereas others have fortunately sunk lots of of hours into it – however there was an vitality within the air within the Xbox group as August turned to September that stands out, if for the unlucky cause that it had been far too lengthy for the reason that final time it occurred. Right here’s hoping that feeling turns into much more commonplace in 2024 and past.
The $69 Billion Verify Will get Cashed
I nearly didn’t imagine it at first. Was it lastly over? Had Microsoft lastly cleared its final regulatory hurdle and been allowed to shut its $69 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King? Regardless of the USA’s Securities and Alternate Fee making one final authorized Hail Mary, Phil Spencer’s examine lastly cleared in October as Microsoft welcomed tens of hundreds of proficient builders into the Xbox household throughout many various studios.
I admit this was extra of a aid than a “favourite second,” as I’d grown fairly weary of listening to concerning the drawn-out regulatory approval course of (and much more drained of speaking about it on Podcast Unlocked). However the deal bought accomplished, and Xbox players will all look again on this acquisition as, hopefully, the beginning of tons of new video games not named Name of Obligation from the numerous stellar studios underneath Activision’s umbrella, in addition to the beginning of the purging of systemic toxicity from Activision-Blizzard’s office tradition by Spencer and the Xbox management group.
Sharpening Xbox’s Blade
Xbox followers have longed for “their” Spider-Man – a console-exclusive, AAA superhero sport they’ll name their very own. At The Recreation Awards earlier this month, they bought their want, although in all probability not in any means they might’ve imagined. Whereas PlayStation’s Marvel hero is understood for being bit by a harmful creature, Xbox’s Marvel hero is the damaging creature doing the biting. Sure, Xbox bought Blade, and the partnership is one I admit I’d have by no means seen coming, as Arkane Lyon – the studio recognized for doing first-person sandboxes with emergent gameplay like Dishonored and Deathloop – can be bringing Blade to Xbox. The reveal proved to be an important capper for the yr, sending Xbox’s 2023 out on a really excessive notice we received’t quickly overlook.
What have been your favourite Xbox moments of the yr? Hold forth within the Feedback beneath, and we’ll see you in 2024!