Xbox's June Showcase Games Confirmed for Release

The wave of video game cancellations and studio closures following Microsoft's significant layoffs this week has raised concerns about the future of nearly every Xbox game without a confirmed release date.

Among the casualties are Rare's Everwild, an unannounced ZeniMax Online Studios MMO from the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, and the Perfect Dark reboot. The Initiative, the studio behind the Perfect Dark revival, has been shut down. The team responsible for new content on Blizzard's mobile title Warcraft Rumble has also been let go.

External developers backed by Microsoft funding were impacted as well. Romero Games, founded by Doom co-creator John Romero and Brenda Romero, experienced major layoffs, casting doubt on its new shooter project.

This leaves us with a pressing question: which Xbox Game Studios titles are still in development, and were any others quietly shelved?

In an internal memo to Microsoft gaming staff viewed by IGN, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, stated the company still has "more than 40 active projects, a strong pipeline of games launching this fall, and a robust lineup extending into 2026."

A source also informed Variety that every title featured during June's Xbox Games Showcase is still moving forward. So, which games are currently considered safe, at least for now?

Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, showcased at the event, is still slated for a late 2024 release despite layoffs affecting its development teams. inXile's Clockwork Revolution, a standout from the show, remains secure. Obsidian's Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2, both featured, are assumed to be safe. The same applies to Double Fine's Keeper, The Coalition's Gears of War: Reloaded, Ninja Gaiden 4, and the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Order of the Giants DLC. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 and the ROG Xbox Ally, also present, are continuing. Despite Everwild's cancellation, Rare continues to support Sea of Thieves with new content.

Xbox head Phil Spencer concluded the showcase by teasing a Forza title, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and a Halo: Combat Evolved remake planned for 2026. Since these were mentioned, they are presumably safe, though it's worth noting the referenced Forza game is likely the next Forza Horizon entry from Playground Games—which is also developing Fable. Turn 10 Studios, the team behind the simulation-focused Forza Motorsport series, was significantly affected by the layoffs.

While we know which games Microsoft still plans to release, the recent events make it difficult to consider other in-development Xbox projects without some apprehension. Everwild and Perfect Dark were notably absent from last month's showcase and have since been canceled. What other games failed to appear?

Minecraft—remember, Microsoft owns it—remains a massively successful and secure franchise. But what about Contraband from Avalanche Studios, the developers of Just Cause? Where is Undead Labs' State of Decay 3? What about Ninja Theory's Project Mara? Microsoft has an agreement with Hideo Kojima for OD—is that project still proceeding? Toys for Bob, the studio behind Crash Bandicoot 4 that left Activision in February 2024, signed a direct publishing deal with Xbox for its next game. Is that agreement still active?

And what about Bethesda? While ZeniMax Online's MMO was canceled, Bethesda Game Studios' The Elder Scrolls VI and the next Fallout installment are likely secure. However, the promised Starfield expansion feels uncertain given Bethesda's silence on the game. As for Blizzard, reports last year indicated work on a StarCraft shooter—is that still in development?

Reviewing the games that were not featured in last month's Xbox showcase highlights the stakes: Microsoft owns a vast network of development studios worldwide, from Bethesda and Blizzard to Activision and the Halo team. When Xbox faces major challenges, a significant portion of the video game industry and its developers are affected as well.

Attention now turns to gamescom in August, where Microsoft is expected to provide more details about its upcoming lineup. Perhaps Phil Spencer will offer clarity on which Xbox projects are moving forward as the company continues its multiplatform strategy. Plans for a next-generation Xbox console are still underway, though a release timeframe remains unknown. Is the first-party Xbox handheld device Spencer mentioned last year still in development? Does Microsoft still intend to launch its own gaming app store, despite the underperformance of Call of Duty Warzone Mobile and Warcraft Rumble, coupled with recent cuts at Candy Crush developer King?

In the immediate future, the games showcased in June are still on track. However, the long-term vision for Xbox remains increasingly uncertain.