Xbox confirms first-party Series X event for July

Xbox has confirmed it will hold a first-party Series X games showcase in July.

This Thursday, May 7, the platform holder will publish a video presentation showing the first Xbox Series X gameplay from “partner” studios, including Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Xbox will also confirm games that will utilize its Smart Delivery feature, it said, and all titles featured in the presentation will be Xbox Series X optimized.

This will be followed by a new video presentation every month for the rest of the year, Xbox announced on Tuesday.

“These monthly moments will take place throughout the rest of the year and will be a way for us to engage, connect and celebrate with you about what’s in store for the next generation of gaming,” said marketing CVP Jerret West. “Every month will bring something different.”

In July, West said Xbox would dedicate time to focus on the games coming from Xbox Game Studios.

“A number of our studio teams are looking forward to sharing first looks at new gameplay, insights from development teams being optimized for Xbox Series X, and brand-new game announcements,” he said.

The marketeer reiterated Xbox’s “goal” to launch Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020, and also confirmed that Halo Infinite is on track for that date.

Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer indicated last week that game production was a “bigger unknown” than the Series X hardware due to complications caused by remote working due to the coronavirus.

The exec told CNBC he “feels good” about the current state of game production but added that the safety of his employees and customers is paramount.

“We’re learning every day,” he said. “I say over and over, the safety and security of our teams is the most important thing. Obviously creating safety for our customers online with our services is critically important.”

Spencer added: “Teams are doing a really good job of keeping our hardware on track. I would say the bigger unknown is probably the game production, just being honest. Game production is a large-scale entertainment activity now: you have hundreds of people coming together, building assets [and] working through creative.

“On the hardware side we feel good about our plans and there’s obviously some impact to schedules, but overall, I think we’re in line with where we thought we would be.

“On the game production side, we’re learning every day. I still feel good about it, but I also need to make sure that the security and safety of the teams is the most important thing, and not unduly push when things just aren’t ready.”

A recent New York Times report suggested that some third-party game developers have decided to cut the scope of their games planned for later this year, rather than delay them.