Gamescom 2019 has kicked off with a bang as Xbox revealed exciting gaming news and updates.
Below is a recap of everything announced during Xbox’s special Inside Xbox Gamescom 2019 presentation.
Gears 5 Horde Mode
An all-new Gears 5 Horde mode was revealed, which adds new gameplay features and Ultimate abilities. Every Horde character will have a unique Ultimate ability, which extends to cross-over characters like Sarah Connor from Terminator Dark Fate, and Kat and Emile from the newly announced Halo: Reach Character Pack (included in Gears 5 Ultimate Edition).
Xbox has also confirmed that the Gears 5 is now available for pre-purchase on Steam and will launch on all platforms at the same time.
More Great Games Coming to Xbox Game Pass
Eight new titles were announced for Xbox Game Pass, three of which are available today.
August 19
- Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
- Devil May Cry 5 (Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
- Stellaris (Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass for PC)
August 22
- Ape Out (Xbox Game Pass PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
August 27
- Bard’s Tale IV (Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
August 30
- Blair Witch Project (Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Gets a Release Date
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has finally received a release date. The game will launch on November 14, 2019. Pre-orders are now available for $19.99USD, and it will also be available for Xbox Game Pass for PC which includes the 4K remaster, complete with a brand-new campaign, and all the expansions and content from the original release.
The team also announced that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will be released on Steam as well, and even better, it will support cross-network play between Steam and the Microsoft Store, so you can play with anyone, regardless of what platform you or they own the game on. For full details, check out the full news post here.
Gears POP!
Gears POP!, the free-to-play, real-time multiplayer mobile entry in the Gears franchise will be available on Android, iOS, and Windows 10 in just three days on August 22.
The team also confirmed that cross-saves will be enabled across all three platforms, so you can move from one device to another and maintain all your progress. You can pre-register today, so you’re all set when the game releases on August 22.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Season 4 News
Xbox’s Chris Charla was joined by Console Producer, Koo Sung Jeong, and Console Community Lead, Ray Kim, from the PUBG Corporation to debut the Season 4 update for PUBG.
One of the biggest changes in Season 4 is a massive, stunning visual update to the original PUBG map, Erangel. Many of the famous landmarks, such as Military Base and Mylta Power, have seen upgrades. Beyond the new look and feel, fans can expect newly balanced weapons and vehicles. Secret clues have also been added that help develop the lore of Erangel and give fans a sense of what happened on this dangerous island.
Xbox have also announced a much-requested feature, cross-platform play for console! This will allow Xbox players to join matches and compete against PlayStation players, enabling matchmaking to draw from a larger pool globally and offer more competition for players. The PUBG team is aiming to have the cross-platform play feature on the Pubic Test Server (PTS, a free download from the Microsoft Store) in late September and release to live servers in October
Season 4 also introduces Survivor Pass: Aftermath, which allows players to unlock over 100 rewards, as well as brand new cooperative missions, which allow the community to work together to accomplish special milestones to unlock new rewards.
PUBG Season 4 will launch on Xbox One on August 27.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint PVP Reveal
Leading off the show was the reveal of Ghost War, the intense, tactical 4v4 competitive multiplayer mode that will launch with Ghost Recon: Breakpoint on October 4.
Ghost War, which will take place on dedicated servers, rewards communication and cooperation within teams amongst the open and diverse maps on offer. The Shared Progression system also ensures that whether you’re playing PVE or PVP your character is always evolving and progressing.
Wasteland 3 New Gameplay Trailer
Wasteland 3 debuted a trailer full of brand new gameplay, including the first look at the mysterious Patriarch, who lures your Desert Ranger from the post-nuclear wastes of Arizona with a promise of aid if you can help rescue his land from the grips of his three bloodthirsy children.
The new trailer also showcased the first footage of the Kodiak, an upgradeable battle-truck that will play a key role in the game. We also saw the new precision strike system, where players will be granted a first-person view, allowing them to target enemy weak points, adding an additional tactical layer to a series known for its strategic approach to combat.
Empire of Sin Reveal
At E3, earlier this year, Romero Games and Paradox Interactive gave us a glimpse at the noir stylings of 1920s Chicago in their upcoming title, Empire of Sin. At Gamescom, Xbox delivered an interview with both Brenda and John Romero, who provided a first in-depth look at the gameplay that will drive your experience through the criminal underworld.
Metro Exodus: The Two Colonels
Metro Exodus debuted its first major story expansion, The Two Colonels, which harkens back to the series’ roots with a tense, claustrophobic journey through Novosibirsk. As the name suggests, players will take control of two brand-new protagonists: Colonel Khlebnikov, who you’ll journey with in the last days of his life, and Colonel Miller, who will investigate what befell his fallen comrade.
The Two Colonels will also offer a brand-new tool for exploration and eradication: the flamethrower! Like the classic Tikhar, you’ll need to pump up the flamethrower to maintain its power and effectiveness. This first expansion is the first or two promised new storylines, with the even larger Sam’s Story set to release in early 2020.
Destiny 2
The upcoming Shadowkeep expansion for Destiny 2 returns players to the moon, and Bungie Game Director, Ben Wommack, was on hand to not only discuss the mischief Eris Morn is getting into, but also reveal a definitive look at the final Finishers that Guardians will wield when the expansion drops on October 1.
New Trailers Galore
The Inside Xbox Gamescom episode was also home to a series of incredible new trailers for some of this year’s most anticipated games, including a terrifying new look at the Blair Witch Project, available on Xbox Game Pass on August 30.
Also shown off was a fresh look at the popular MyCareer mode for NBA 2K20, which revealed that British actor, Idris Elba, as well as Rosario Dawson and many other notable celebrities will appear in the game.
There was also an in depth overview of the world of The Surge 2, and a full breakdown of the factions and diplomacy that drive the drama and action in the much anticipated action RPG, Greedfall.
X019
At E3, Xbox announced that X019, a global celebration of all things Xbox, will be coming to London this November. At Gamescom, Xbox’s Aaron Greenberg revealed that X019 will take place November 14-16 at the Copper Box Arena in London, UK with a special episode of Inside Xbox kicking off all the incredible news, world-premieres and reveals followed immediately by Xbox FanFest.
On November 15 and 16, X019 will include never-before-seen playable demos, developer panels, Xbox gear, and incredible experiences. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, September 24, priced at £19 per session with all proceeds going to charity. For more info on how you can attend X019, read the full recap of the news here.
Hardware/Accessories Announcement
Controller reveals are something of a tradition on Inside Xbox, and at Gamescom the team brought two brand-new entries to show off to the world.
The aptly named Night-Ops Camo Special Edition brings a rugged look to the fore with a black, grey, and metallic gold camouflage pattern, as well as etched trigger grips to help your fingers stay on point in even the tensest encounters.
The team also unveiled the Xbox Wireless Controller – Sport Blue Special Edition, which leaps off the shelf with a vibrant blue design with metallic accents and a rubberized diamond grip.
2019 is definitely shaping up to be a fun filled year with exciting Xbox happenings!
