Xbox marks 25 years with massive Gamescom 2026 showcase

Xbox is heading to gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, to mark a quarter-century of play with one of its biggest booth presentations yet. The company will bring 25 upcoming games and 140 gaming stations to the show, giving attendees a chance to get hands-on with titles spanning the full spectrum of what's coming to the platform.

Among the games available for play are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Fable, and Minecraft Dungeons II—a mix that speaks to Xbox's range, from blockbuster shooters to reimagined classics and beloved franchises. The booth will also host Xbox FanFest, offering exclusive experiences for those making the trip to Germany.

If you can't make it to Cologne in person, Xbox will stream the event across YouTube and Twitch, so there's a way to tune in and see what's being shown regardless of where you are. It's a thoughtful approach to a milestone moment—25 years is worth celebrating, and Xbox is making sure the celebration reaches as many people as possible, whether they're standing at a gaming station in person or watching from home.

What's on the booth:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 takes center stage. Step into the franchise’s signature Core 6v6 Multiplayer on XBOX Series X, where every match showcases the fluid movement and best-in-class ballistics that define Modern Warfare 4. Whether you’re returning after the Early Access Beta or getting your first taste of the action, this is your chance to experience the next chapter of Modern Warfare Multiplayer firsthand.
2. Gears of War: E-Day brings the first public playable hands-on experience with campaign to gamescom, giving players an early look at the brutal origins of the Locust War and the beginning of the brotherhood between Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago ahead of its October 6, 2026, release.
3. Play Minecraft Dungeons II for the first time. Drop your pickaxe and grab a sword (and a friend) because the foes are tougher than ever – but the loot is worth the battle. Can you fight the crisis?
4. For the first time ever, Fable will have a live demo theater presentation by Playground Games, showcasing live gameplay to the public, taking fans on a Hero’s journey that highlights its smooth and responsive combat. Seamlessly combine melee, ranged, and magical abilities to forge a combat style that feels uniquely your own.
5. Play STRANGER THAN HEAVEN for the first time. Face down fate in the 50-year, action-adventure saga’s demo showcasing the innovative combat system that has you independently control the left and right sides of protagonist Makoto Daito across 3 of the 5 immersive Japanese cities & eras found in the full game.
6. Get hands-on with METRO 2039 for the first time at gamescom ahead of its release in February 2027. Explore, scavenge, and survive the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow in the next landmark FPS from acclaimed storytellers 4A Games.
7. Halo: Campaign Evolved lets attendees go hands-on with the faithful yet modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s legendary campaign, featuring updated visuals, refined gameplay, expanded combat options, and the iconic ringworld adventure that started it all.
8. Between new Forza Horizon 6 features and partnership collaborations, there is always something new happening in Japan. Players can test their driving skills in the new Drift Attack feature and get a sneak peek at partnership collaborations dropping over the next few months.
9. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 brings riveting content and announcements from the world of digital aviation, including the first public playable hands-on experience with the National Championship Air Races, giving players a chance to experience the fastest motorsport on earth.
   There’s so much more to play including Alien Deathstorm, Alien: Isolation 2, Bad Magpie, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Crowsworn, Genigods: Nezha, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, STAR WARS Zero Company, Terrible Lizards, Turok: Origins, and Valor Mortis.

Source: Xbox WIRE