The time for a new, exclusive Xbox event showcasing a variety of upcoming Xbox and Windows PC games has passed. Another Xbox Partner Preview has concluded, and we saw plenty of new trailers, announcements, and even world premieres from a variety of Xbox's biggest third-party partners. Xbox already confirmed some of what we saw, but there were also plenty of surprises, including world premieres from major studios and even a handful of shadow drops and new Xbox Game Pass day one additions.
I won't waste any more of your time. Keep scrolling for everything you can't afford to miss, including how to watch the Xbox Partner Preview event, all the announcements and trailers as they happened, and more.
How can I watch the Xbox Partner Preview event?
The latest Xbox Partner Preview event aired on Oct. 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. BST. You can rewatch the show via the YouTube stream above (in English audio and 4K resolution) or use one of the below links.
- YouTube (English, 4K)
- YouTube (American Sign Language)
- YouTube (British Sign Language)
- YouTube (Audio Description)
- Twitch (English)
- Twitch (American Sign Language)
Subtitles are offered in: Arabic (MSA), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Czech, French, Canadian French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish, and Turkish.
The show is approximately 25 minutes in length.
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What was announced during the Xbox Partner Preview event?
Here's where you'll find a chronological list of all the games and projects revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview event in Oct. 2024, which I've continued to update with more information.
5 Xbox Game Pass additions & 2 shadow drops
I'm retroactively cutting the line here to highlight some of the more interesting announcements from the Xbox Partner Preview, being the five games confirmed (or reconfirmed) to be heading to Xbox Game Pass on day one and the two games that surprise released during the show.
Out of today's games, Subnautica 2, Eternal Strands, Wheel World, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and FBC: Firebreak are all heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass. Blindfire and Animal Well are the two games that released during the show, so you can go play them now.
Alan Wake II "The Lake House" DLC
First up, we have a terrifying and gruesome trailer for Alan Wake II "The Lake House" DLC expansion. This DLC is set to be the darkest and scariest setting yet for the Alan Wake franchise, so a lot of horror fans are unsurprisingly excited for it. The new trailer showcases some gameplay footage and confirms the previously leaked release date. Alan Wake 2's The Lake House releases exclusively to Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition owners on Oct. 22, 2024 for Xbox, Windows PC, and PlayStation.
This expansion takes place alongside the main Alan Wake 2 campaign and directly connects to it, but it also offers yet another connection to Remedy Entertainment's Control universe.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Continuing the horror theme appropriate for spooky season, Bloober Team has joined the Xbox Partner Preview in order to announce its next project. Cronos: The New Dawn is set in a futuristic, alternate 1980s Poland, and is a brutal survival-horror game that builds on Bloober's improvements with the Silent Hill 2 remake. The studio is certainly keeping busy lately, with Cronos: The New Dawn set to release sometime in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.
Blindfire
Next, we have a brief gameplay trailer for Blindfire, a new first-person shooter that is already available in early access. This is a fast-paced arena shooter in which players will need to make careful use of tools, traps, and even echolocation to track down their opponents in darkened spaces. One of two games shadow-dropped during the Xbox Partner Preview, Blindfire is a part of the Xbox Game Preview program for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Like a Dragon franchise, which succeeds the legendary Yakuza JRPG series, is getting a new entry featuring fan-favorite Goro Majima becoming a... Pirate in Hawaii? I won't pretend to know much about Like a Dragon or Yakuza, but I do know that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii got a new trailer during the Xbox Partner Preview showcasing slick visuals and new gameplay footage with action-packed combat, goofy antics, and even our first look at naval ship battles.
On top of that, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is now releasing on Feb. 21, 2025 for Xbox, Windows PC, and PlayStation, a week earlier than originally announced.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire
We also got a new look at Mouse: P.I. for Hire, a really unique first-person shooter that faithfully captures the old-school animation style of classic Mickey Mouse cartoons in a new format. It seems you'll explore a greyscale world on journeys to solve a variety of mysteries, equipped with an arsenal of over-the-top weaponry. Mouse: P.I. for Hire releases on Xbox Series X|S and PC sometime in 2025.
Subnautica 2
Subnautica is a legendary survival game with light heavy elements, and it's getting a long-awaited sequel with some serious graphical and cinematic upgrades. Subnautica 2 is releasing in early access for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC sometime in 2025 through the Xbox Game Preview program, and will also be available day one through Xbox Game Pass. Oh, and the co-op feature players have been requesting for years will finally make its debut in Subnautica 2.
Animal Well
Animal Well is a truly unique 2D mystery-platformer that blends Metroidvania elements into its secret-filled world, and it's the second shadow-dropped title of the day. Animal Well is already available for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC starting today.
EDENS ZERO
EDENS ZERO is a new Konami-published action game set in the EDENS ZERO manga and anime universe created by Hiro Mashima. Following the exploits of Shiki Granbell, EDENS ZERO will see players recruit a variety of unique characters on a quest to track down a mysterious cosmic entity. EDENS ZERO is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC at some point in 2025.
Eternal Strands
Eternal Strands is a fire-filled, third-person action-adventure game that has already accrued a fair amount of attention. Created by developers who worked on Dragon Age, Assassin's Creed, and more, Eternal Strands boasts titanic bosses, deep crafting systems, and diverse combat. Eternal Strands got a brand-new gameplay trailer during the event, and is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2025.
Mistfall Hunter
This new game mixes Soulslike gameplay with extraction mechanics to create something new, and it's set in a dark fantasy world that blends magic and technology. Mistfall Hunter doesn't have a release date or even window yet, but it's coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. There will also be a closed beta in the near future that players can sign up for now.
Wheel World
Originally announced as "Ghost Bikes," Wheel World is an upcoming indie game published by Annapurna Interactive in which you'll explore a vast, colorful open world at your own pace. Your goal? Collect and repair all of the missing ghost bikes, which possess the ability to travel between the living and dead worlds. In addition to exploration, crafting, and secret-hunting, you'll also participate in bike races. Wheel World is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2025.
Phasmophobia
After what feels like an eternal wait, Phasmophobia is finally making its Xbox debut later this month. A popular online co-op horror game, Phasmophobia tasks you and up to three of your friends with identifying supernatural entities at haunted locations utilizing a vast arsenal of tools. Now, Xbox Series X|S players will be able to join in on the fun from Oct. 29, 2024.
The Legend of Baboo
This adorable action-adventure game is more brutal than it looks, with child hero Sepehr struggling against hordes of mighty foes using only their wits and weapons. Of course, Sepehr is also joined by Baboo, a massive dog that can also be used as a mount. The Legend of Baboo is heading to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC in 2025.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
The third game that Xbox confirmed for its Partner Preview show is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a dark and stylistic action game heading to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass at some point in 2025. It's no surprise to see this game here, since it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024. There's no new information in store here, but we do get plenty of fresh gameplay footage showing off that sleek and smooth Soulslike gameplay and gorgeous visuals.
FBC: Firebreak
Set in the Control universe, this 3-player co-op multiplayer game represents a first for Remedy Entertainment. Players will work together and challenge armies of supernatural enemies in familiar locations. FBC: Firebreak is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass in 2025.
Looking ahead to the future of Xbox
The Xbox Partner Preview has concluded, and the show honestly surprised me. It's always interesting to get a sneak peek into the future of the Xbox gaming ecosystem, with some of the best upcoming Xbox games always stealing headlines at these shows, but there was a lot more than what Xbox teased when the Xbox Partner Preview event was announced.
Fresh looks at Alan Wake II "The Lake House," Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers were all expected, but we also got the next new project from horror experts Bloober Team in Cronos: The New Dawn, the long-awaited Subnautica sequel, Remedy's first-ever co-op multiplayer game, two shadow-dropped games in first-person shooter Blindfire and mystery-platformer Animal Well, and five Xbox Game Pass day one additions in Subnautica 2, Eternal Strands, Wheel World, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and FBC: Firebreak.
At least a few of these games will absolutely secure a position on our list of the best Xbox games remains to be seen, and we'll be keeping an eye on this lineup moving forward. The games shown off during the Xbox Partner Preview are heading to platforms and devices like Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC, Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and (probably) Xbox Cloud Gaming, with most set for release at some point in 2025.
You can keep an eye on our list of all the upcoming Xbox Game Pass additions to see when you can expect some of these games to become available on the popular gaming subscription.
Overall, I really enjoyed this show. There were far more games than I expected to see in such a short period of time, and there was a great variety between expected arrivals, fresh surprises, major releases, and smaller projects. There were also a lot of horror games, which felt perfect considering the time of year. It also reminded me that I really need to get to playing Alan Wake 2.
