Gamescom, the world’s largest gaming event, is set to return this year with a hybrid format of physical and digital shows. Among the confirmed exhibitors are Xbox and Bethesda, who will join the show floor in Cologne, Germany, from August 23 to 27. This will be the first time that the two companies will attend Gamescom as a unified entity, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media in 2020.
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What to Expect from Xbox and Bethesda
Xbox and Bethesda have not revealed any details about their plans for Gamescom 2023, but fans can expect to see some of their upcoming games and updates. One of the most anticipated titles is Starfield, Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG that is slated to launch on September 6, 2023, exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Starfield was first announced in 2018, but it was not until this year’s E3 that we got a glimpse of its gameplay and setting. Starfield is set in a realistic and grounded universe, where humanity is exploring the stars in search of new discoveries and mysteries. The game will feature a vast open world, customizable characters and ships, and a branching story that will be influenced by the player’s choices.
Another game that Xbox and Bethesda fans are looking forward to is Forza Motorsport, the next installment in the acclaimed racing simulation series. Forza Motorsport will be a reboot of sorts, featuring a new engine, new physics, new graphics, and new gameplay modes. The game will also support ray tracing, 4K resolution, and 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Forza Motorsport is expected to release on October 10, 2023.
Besides Starfield and Forza Motorsport, Xbox and Bethesda may also showcase some of their other games that are in development or have recently launched. These include Halo Infinite, Psychonauts 2, Redfall, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Deathloop, GhostWire: Tokyo, The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, Fable, Perfect Dark, Everwild, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, State of Decay 3, and more. Xbox and Bethesda may also announce some new games or partnerships during Gamescom 2023.
How to Watch Xbox and Bethesda at Gamescom 2023
Gamescom 2023 will kick off with an Opening Night Live event on August 22 at 8 PM CEST (11 AM PT / 2 PM ET / 7 PM BST). The event will be hosted by Geoff Keighley and will feature announcements and trailers from various publishers and developers. Xbox and Bethesda are likely to participate in this event as well.
The show floor of Gamescom 2023 will open on August 23 and will run until August 27. Visitors who have purchased tickets can access the physical booths and demos of various exhibitors, including Xbox and Bethesda. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be strict health and safety measures in place, such as limited capacity, social distancing, mask wearing, and testing requirements.
For those who cannot attend Gamescom 2023 in person, there will be a digital platform that will offer live streams, videos on demand, interviews, news articles, community activities, and more. The digital platform will also allow visitors to interact with exhibitors and other attendees through chat rooms, forums, polls, quizzes, and more. The digital platform will be accessible through the official Gamescom website or app.
Xbox and Bethesda will likely have their own live streams or videos on their respective channels during Gamescom 2023. You can follow them on YouTube (Xbox | Bethesda), Twitch (Xbox | Bethesda), Twitter (Xbox | Bethesda), Facebook (Xbox | Bethesda), or Instagram (Xbox | Bethesda) for the latest updates.