“25 years ago, the first Xbox launched.” That was the line Microsoft used to open its 25th anniversary event, and the rest of the show was a long run of announcements. It saved the largest for last: Wolfenstein 3 is in the works at MachineGames.
The reveal came at the very end, just after a batch of updates aimed at Xbox Insiders. It was confirmed in a post on X: “Wolfenstein 3 is officially in production at @MachineGames. One of gaming’s most important franchises, and a team that has done remarkable work bringing it forward. Looking forward to sharing more.”
So far there’s no trailer, no release date and no list of platforms. The only confirmed fact is that production has started.
id Software’s next big game is still a mystery
Microsoft said id Software is working on its next major title. Whether that’s a new DOOM went unanswered, so any prediction remains speculation.
For players who want something sooner, Slaughter Mode arrives in DOOM: The Dark Ages in a few days.
Fable also received a fresh gameplay video. It goes through how the game’s mechanics work, giving fans more than a logo and a launch window.
Free Firefight mode heads to Halo
The Firefight Update is coming to Halo Campaign Evolved. It’s a survival mode included in the Winter Update, and every owner of the game gets it at no extra cost.
Full details are being held for Halo Fest in Seattle, which runs December 12 and 13.
Original Xbox titles land on PC
Through its Backwards Compatibility program, Microsoft put 21 original Xbox games on PC. That lifts the total to 25, matching the brand’s age in years. A number of older classics picked up achievements as well.
Earlier in the broadcast, Microsoft rolled out Xbox Playback, a look back at your gaming history with stats such as which games you spent the most time in. It doesn’t work in Greece.
Six games get anniversary cosmetics
To mark the birthday, Microsoft is handing out free in-game items across its lineup. Forza Horizon 6 players get the GR GT Anniversary Livery, while Halo Campaign Evolved adds the Damascus Prototype Armor Style.
In Gears of War: E-Day, there’s the Xbox Anniversary Weapons Skin Set. Minecraft gets the OG Green Character Creator Item.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 receives its own Xbox Anniversary Livery.
The last game on the list is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, which gets the Inner Circuit M4 Blueprint.
The announcement Microsoft kept for the finale came with the fewest details of the whole show: one post stating that Wolfenstein 3 is in production and that more will be shared later.