
Everything Xbox Game Studios is working on: Roadmap, news, rumors
Source: Windows Central
As Microsoft grows beyond its console base, Xbox streaming via Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming will bring Microsoft’s wide range of games to audiences on mobile devices. Microsoft has begun supporting PC gaming like never before, alongside its next-gen Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles too.
To further invest in its own output, Microsoft previously purchased industry heavyweights like Obsidian Entertainment, inXile, Undead Labs, and many more. Last year Microsoft completed its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which includes studios like id Software, Bethesda Softworks, Machine Games, and many others.
Here’s a rundown of every studio and all the games (we think) we know about so far, joining our list of most anticipated upcoming Xbox games for 2022 and beyond, including games from ZeniMax. Microsoft will show off even more projects during their E3-style Xbox Bethesda showcase this June.
TL;DR quick list
- 343 industries: Halo Infinite
- Compulsion Games: Project Midnight
- Double Fine: Unannounced projects, Psychonauts 2
- inXile: Project Cobalt, Wasteland 3 updates
- Mojang: Minecraft updates, Minecraft Dungeons updates, two unannounced projects
- Ninja Theory: Project Mara, Hellblade II
- Obsidian Entertainment: Grounded, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, unannounced project
- Playground Games: Forza Horizon 5, Fable
- The Coalition: Gears of War, unannounced project
- Rare: Sea of Thieves updates, Everwild
- The Initiative: Perfect Dark
- Turn 10: Forza Motorsport 8
- Undead Labs: State of Decay 3
- World’s Edge: Age of Empires IV, partner projects
- Bethesda Softworks: Starfield, Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 76 updates
- id Software: Unannounced projects
- Arkane Studios: Deathloop, RedFall
- Tango Gameworks: Ghostwire Toyko, unannounced project
- Machine Games: Indiana Jones, Wolfenstein III
- ZeniMax Online: Elder Scrolls Online, unannounced projects
- Xbox Publishing: Project Indus, Project Dragon, Project Belfry, Project Shaolin, As Dusk Falls, Contraband
343 Industries
The story will re-focus on Master Chief, following the grave events of Halo 5, which sees the galaxy caught in the grip of gigantic ancient constructs known as the Guardians, controlled by the now-rogue AI Cortana. The story will revolve around the mystery of Cortana, and will revolve around the Banished, a rogue Brute faction from Halo Wars 2. Halo Infinite will be on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, with a free-to-play multiplayer component.
Compulsion Games
Source: Compulsion
Double Fine
inXile
Having shipped Wasteland 3, inXile is working on a mysterious first-person RPG codenamed Cobalt. We understand this to be a Victorian-era styled steampunk adventure, with Industrial Revolution-inspired sci-fi tech and a branching narrative.
Mojang
Minecraft’s next big update is called The Wild Update, and will revamp parts of the game’s forests and jungles. This follows Caves and Cliffs (Part 2), which should launch before the end of the year. Minecraft Dungeons also picked up new updates in Fall 2021, adding seasonal endgame content starting with The Cloudy Climb.
Ninja Theory
While the original game was limited in general scope, Microsoft and Ninja Theory seem keen to grow further, having expanded to a new building and hiring several new staff. Ninja Theory is also working on a title dubbed Project: Mara, although little is known about it.
Obsidian
Obsidian shipped the excellent The Outer Worlds, a vibrant sci-fi RPG under a contract from Take-Two. It would appear that Microsoft owns The Outer Worlds IP as a result of acquiring Obsidian, meaning that future entries in the franchise will be exclusive to Microsoft platforms. To that end, Obsidian recently revealed The Outer Worlds 2, with arguably the most hilarious trailer in recent memory. Obsidian is also working on Grounded, a survival multiplayer “passion project,” where you’re shrunk to the size of an ant. Grounded is getting more updates to fill out its already impressively sized world.
Additionally, Obsidian veteran Josh Sawyer is building a game with a smaller team of developers. Not a lot is known about this title at the moment, but it’s described internally as an “indie darling.”
Playground Games
Rare
For a time, Rare was all-in on Sea of Thieves, but recently, it was announced they’re also working on Everwild, which looks to be some form of multiplayer survival game, although little is known about the project.
The Coalition
The Coalition is currently working on expanding Gears 5’s multiplayer content, and presumably future installments in the Gears franchise. There are rumors that The Coalition may be exploring new IP, however, or maybe even licensed IP from the likes of Disney.
The Initiative
Turn 10
Turn 10 recently confirmed that it is working on a new Forza Motorsport, with a completely new engine built specifically for the Xbox Series X and S.
Undead Labs
State of Decay 3 has now been revealed with a cinematic trailer, built specifically for the Xbox Series X. The trailer certainly suggests a bigger focus on visuals, and we’ve heard Undead Labs will place a bigger emphasis on character development in this one, but we’ll have to wait and see for more details.
World’s Edge
We’ve heard that World’s Edge may be exploring other titles based on the Age of Empires IP as well, which may include some kind of MOBA-lite like League of Legends.
Bethesda Softworks
From E3 2021, we now know Starfield is a full Xbox platform exclusive. Starfield has been described by Todd Howard as “Skyrim in space,” emphasizing that this is designed to be a “hardcore RPG.”
id Software
Arkane Studios
At E3 2021, Arkane unveiled its shiny, new 4-player vampire shooter called RedFall. Not a great deal is known about how the game will play exactly, but it looks pretty slick from its CGI trailer.
Tango Gameworks
Machine Games
ZeniMax Online Studios
Xbox Game Studios Publishing
Microsoft also unveiled Contraband, in partnership with Avalanche Studios. Contraband, we’ve heard, is an online action game where players plan out and execute heists in teams of four.
Microsoft has also commissioned a range of indie exclusives, including As Dusk Falls, and The Gunk, which look rather awesome. Microsoft’s attempt to bring Crossfire X over from Korea seems have gone a bit awry, after missing its initial target launch window.
We also know about a project possibly codenamed Shaolin from Brass Lion Entertainment, which is an action RPG-style game featuring the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. We’ve heard Microsoft is working with Mainframe on a cloud-first multiplayer game for Xbox called PaxDei, while also building a 4X strategy game with Oxide, codenamed Indus. Finally, we’ve also seen Project Belfry, which is a side-scrolling brawler from the developers of The Banner Saga, Stoic Studio.
There are also other codenames we’ve uncovered that we have yet to attach projects and studios to, which really slams home the idea that Microsoft is going hard on investing in their upcoming games lineup.
A huge backlog

The central criticism of Microsoft’s current-gen Xbox has been the strength of its exclusive games, which have received mixed success. While the Forza Horizon series rocked many accolades and praise, other titles like State of Decay 2 launched in a relatively rough condition. Xbox Game Pass has helped add value to some of the lower-end titles since all Microsoft games are set to appear in the subscription service, although there’s a big appetite for true “AAA”-quality experiences that match Sony’s efforts in the space.
Hellblade II, Halo Infinite, and Starfield certainly look as though they could fit the bill, and the size of studios like Playground certainly lends hope to Fable following suit.
Even if you’re still pining for the types of production values Sony brings to the table, nobody can deny the diversity and value being offered by Xbox Game Pass, with titles like Flight Simulator, Age of Empires IV, and Psychonauts 2. Given the sheer volume of investment being pumped into Xbox right now, I think it’s only a matter of time before Microsoft silences criticism of its games lineup once and for all.
When you factor in the size of the first-party studio stable, Microsoft is undeniably well placed for a game-rich future. More and more games are coming both from first- and third-parties as Microsoft grows out Xbox Game Pass. It remains to be seen whether the company can truly match Sony and Nintendo on quality in the minds of the wider audience, but there are signs the tide is turning. Many polls from major multi-platform outlets described Xbox as “winning” E3 2021, thanks to a very strong showcase.

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