Xbox has had a bit of a rough last couple of weeks. If getting its Activision-Blizzard acquisition blocked by the CMA wasn't enough, the release and subsequent reception of Redfall surely was. There's no denying that Xbox has lost a lot of good faith recently, and while candid interviews like the one between Kinda Funny and Phil Spencer go a long way in humanizing those working behind the scenes, it does little to restore faith in the future of Xbox. For that, all eyes are on the upcoming Xbox Showcase.
Announced just two days after Redfall's release, Xbox's next showcase will take place on June 11. While Xbox is keeping the showcase under wraps, it has confirmed that a Direct focusing solely on Bethesda's highly-anticipated Starfield will air right after the conference. Aside from that, it's unclear just what Xbox and Bethesda could show during the event, though there's one adventure franchise that simply needs to make an appearance.
Xbox Needs to Strike While the Iron is Hot with Indiana Jones
Announced back in January 2021, Xbox and Bethesda are publishing a game based on the incredibly popular Indiana Jones franchise. Being developed by MachineGames - the same studio behind the beloved Wolfenstein reboot series - this upcoming, still untitled Indiana Jones game seems to be in good hands, though very little is known about it at all. Aside from the brief announcement trailer back in 2021 that just showed a collection of archeology books, a typewriter, and Indiana Jones' iconic whip and hat, little else has been confirmed by MachineGames, Bethesda, or Xbox in the two years since.
When MachineGames' Indiana Jones title was first announced, it was presumed that the game was still in its early stages of development, with Bethesda making it clear that it would be a while before fans saw anymore from the game. While AAA video game development timelines vary wildly from project to project, it seems likely that Indiana Jones is at a stage where at least another teaser trailer could be shown, with MachineGames' Wolfenstein: The New Order taking about three years in development, and Indiana Jones presumably just passing its two-year mark. And really, there's no better time for another Indiana Jones video game reveal.
Indiana Jones is set to make his triumphant return to the silver screen on June 30, 2023, in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Harrison Ford's last go at the iconic adventurer, again, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is looking to be a return to form for the series after the lackluster final entry that was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Though Steven Spielberg is taking a step back for this one, and letting Logan's James Mangold sit in the director's chair, Dial of Destiny looks like it'll retain a lot of the same adventuring charm that the original trilogy is known for, at least based on the trailers released so far. And while many fans are still hesitant about a new entry, the hype surrounding a new Indiana Jones is likely to build significantly in the lead-up to release, with the month of June potentially heralding the start of Indy fever.
With Xbox's Showcase dropping on June 11, it has the perfect opportunity to kick off a month of Indiana Jones hype with another reveal of MachineGames' Indy game. Dropping another trailer for the game at Xbox's upcoming showcase would not only let it ride the hype of the upcoming movie, but it would also remind general audiences that Bethesda has an Indiana Jones game coming out, as many casual fans might have forgotten over the last few years. A big adventure game associated with a popular IP like Indiana Jones is exactly what Xbox needs right now.