Highlights

  • Avowed and Indiana Jones may be Xbox's heavy hitters for 2024, but the lack of concrete release dates is a troubling sign.
  • Without official release dates, both games are ripe for delays, potentially leaving Xbox with fewer big titles this year.
  • Xbox may be waiting for the perfect moment to reveal release dates, but the longer the wait, the more likely delays become.

Thanks to the Xbox Games Showcase, it seems like Microsoft may have a pretty big year ahead of it. Not only can players look forward to updates from fan-favorite titles like Sea of Thieves and loads of Xbox Game Pass additions, but they will also be treated to both Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle later this year. But, while both games seem to have a lot of promise, they also seem to be in a bit of a sticky situation right now.

While Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle may both be released in 2024, the studios have yet to reveal anything else concrete. Players have gotten to see gameplay, story trailers, and a release window, but no exact release date has been revealed. And based on past experiences, that could be a troubling sign, especially as the video game announcement season comes to an end. Even though there is a chance it could mean absolutely nothing, it also may point to some major changes as the year comes to a close.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle River Ride
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Release Dates for Avowed and Indiana Jones Are Nowhere in Sight

Both Games Are Lacking a Concrete Release Date

This year, both Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle seem to be Xbox's heavy hitters. One will be bringing Obsidian's tried-and-true formula to the fantasy landscape for an adventure that shares many similarities to The Elder Scrolls while the other will be putting players in the shoes of one of the most iconic archaeologists in the world. Not only should those both lead to some fantastic experiences, but they may also prove to be system sellers in the long run, or at least great ways to advertise Xbox Game Pass. However, neither seems to have a concrete release date in mind.

Both of their trailers omitted an actual release date completely in favor of simply saying they are coming out in 2024. And while an accidental addition to an Obsidian blog post may have revealed that Avowed comes out on November 12, that date was quickly removed and replaced with the 2024 window. So, while the studios currently seem committed to that 2024 window, the absence of a concrete date is a bit of a troubling sign.

Release Windows Seem to be Ripe for Delays

2024 is almost halfway over, yet neither game has officially announced what date they are launching. That could simply be because Xbox wants to reveal those dates later to build hype, like at a special deep dive or showcase event. But it could also mean that both games have a strong chance of being delayed as well. It is far easier to change the release year to 2025 than it is to pick a brand-new date, especially after pre-orders go live.

Neither game can be pre-ordered yet nor do they have official release dates, which could mean that Xbox is already planning on delaying them. However, if it did that, then the company would not be left with many big titles this year outside of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. And while that game will likely fly off the shelves, it is always good to have more diverse offerings for players to sink their teeth into. So, hopefully, Xbox is just waiting for that perfect moment to reveal these dates.

Time will tell just what Xbox has planned for Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Both games look pretty strong and are from some acclaimed studios, so there is a ton of potential here. If Xbox feels the need to delay them, then it really should do so to ensure both can deliver on their promises. And the further 2024 goes without official releases, the more likely that is. But players will have to just wait and see just how it all pans out.