Last week, Microsoft kicked off Summer Games Fest with a first look at in-engine captures from its upcoming next-generation console, the Xbox Series X. Focusing solely on third-party games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla this time around, the latest Inside Xbox event was the first in a series of monthly events planned over the summer with first-party Xbox games and a look at the consoles launch lineup coming in July.
Unfortunately, Microsoft wasn't able to meet the industries high-expectations, particularly when the Inside Xbox event marketing promised it would be a first real look at next-generation gameplay, followed by hype inducing quotes such us, "Tomorrow changes the game." Knowing that Xbox juggernauts like Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport wouldn't be shown, Inside Xbox also left one staggering question on everyone's mind:Â Are any of these third-party games going to be exclusive to Xbox One or Series X?
Scorn (Console Exclusive)
Not only is the H. R. Giger inspired survival-horror, Scorn an Xbox console exclusive, it's also a next-generation exclusive game that's coming to Xbox Series X. Originally announced at the end of 2014, and receiving its first official trailer in 2017, Scorn's had its fair share of development woes over the years from a failed Kickstarter campaign to a scrapped plan to release episodically. In development at Ebb Software, Scorn is a first-person shooter survival horror game that's set in a "nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry." If the image above isn't already making you want to squirm, check out the Inside Xbox Scorn reveal trailer.
Scorn is in development for Xbox Series X and PC.
The Medium (Console Exclusive)
From horror game extraordinaire Bloober Team, developers of recent horror games Layers of Fear 2, Blair Witch, and Observer: System Redux, The Medium is a next-gen exclusive horror game coming to Xbox Series X later this year. Players take on the role of a medium named Marianne that has the ability to interact with two different worlds: the real world and the spirit world. Bloober Team has teased an exciting new next-gen mechanic as the reason why The Medium won't be available on Xbox One, likely something to do with the ability to move between two different worlds, similar to the time-travel mission in Dishonored 2.
The Medium will release on Xbox Series X and PC in 2020.
Call of the Sea (Console Exclusive)
While a large portion of the Inside Xbox event seemed to be dedicated to horror games, or at least games with a dark atmosphere and aesthetic, upcoming Call of the Sea brought in some much needed color and a lighthearted tone. Set in the 1930s, Call of the Sea is the debut title from developer Out of the Blue, a first-person puzzle adventure game about a woman, Norah, searching for her missing husband in the South Pacific. Available on Xbox Games Pass at launch, Call of the Sea also stars Cissy Jones, best known for her work as Delilah in Firewatch, Sloane in Destiny 2, and Fury in Darksiders III.
Call of the Sea will release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
The Ascent (Console Exclusive)
The Ascent is what happens when mixing Diablo 3 with Cyberpunk 2077 and Alienation. From Swedish developer Neon Giant, a team of just over 10 people, The Ascent is a solo and/or co-op action-RPG where players explore the cyberpunk world of Veles, hunt for rare loot, augment and customize their gear and characters, and stop hostile gangs and corporations from taking control of the world. While Inside Xbox only offered a brief look at what playings can expect, Neon Giant has since released a 12-minute gameplay trailer for The Ascent.
The Ascent will release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
Second Extinction (Console Exclusive)
The final Xbox exclusive shown during the Inside Xbox event was Second Extinction, a three-player co-op first-person shooter where players must wipeout mutated dinosaurs that have taken over Earth. Coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X, offering full optimization for the latter, Second Extinction is in development at Systemic Reaction, a subsidiary of parent company Avalanche Studios Group which also owns Rage 2 developer Avalanche Studios and theHunter: Call of the Wild developer Expansive Worlds.
Second Extinction will release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
Of the thirteen games that were on display during Microsoft's Inside Xbox event last week, five of those games will be exclusive to Xbox consoles. However, all five of the mentioned games are console exclusives only, meaning they're skipping the PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, but will be available on PC. Considering that Microsoft made no mention of showcasing any exclusive games in the lead up to the event, Xbow owners were shown a decent stack of new games they can expect in the next year across a variety of genres, as well as two games that are exclusive to the Xbox Series X. Here's looking forward to the next Summer Games Fest reveal.
Xbox Series XÂ will be released in Holiday 2020.