We’re rolling out the liveblog widget once again for today’s Xbox Games Showcase, as well as the Starfield-focused Starfield Direct, which will follow immediately after. And will be about Starfield. Come join us – we’ll be up and running just before Microsoft’s main showcase begins at 6pm BST / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT.
After Thursday’s Summer Game Fest / Day of the Devs liveblog, which was filled with game announcements, cosy commenter chat, and Nicholas Cage, I for one am looking forward to sharing the update trenches with you all again. This time I’ll be joined in the mud by vid bud Liam for yet more news and reveals, with possible starring games including Fable 4, a potential Gears 6, and Obsidian’s elusive Avowed.
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Liam walks you through the 12 most exciting things we learned from the recently broadcast Starfield direct.
Also, Starfield. Lots of Starfield.
Stick around and you can also follow along with our PC Gaming Show 2023 liveblog; this fellow NotE3 event starts at 9pm BST / 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT, which should be immediately after Starfield Direct closes its curtains.
See you here on Sunday the 11th, 6pm BST / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT, for the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct super-combined super-liveblog. Bring snacks.
– James Archer
Right, we're just about settling in for about five hours of NotE3 liveblogging. Is that TOO MUCH liveblogging? According to the Working Time Regulations of 1998, no it is not.
– James Archer
Hello, hello. How are we all doing? Are we excited for Todd Howard to talk about spaceships?
– Liam Richardson
I've spent the last few days sitting on the deck of a cabin in the Lake District, so I will be spending this whole presentation staring at the screen like that one Limmy meme. You know the one. Where he's just woken up. I have forgotten what video games are.
– Liam Richardson
I'm receiving word that the whole Xbox/Bethesda show, including Starfield, is two hours long. Which is one hour less than I'd assumed, but in any case, the PC Gaming Show will follow at 9pm BST.
– James Archer
Also, one minute to go!
– James Archer
10 seconds! Here we go!
– Liam Richardson
And we're opening with a digital Richard Ayoade, of all things.
– James Archer
Is this Fable?
– James Archer
It's Fable! They kicked a chicken! Like that one achivement!
– Liam Richardson
Oh, Richard Ayoade is big in this. I'm sure Rachel can figure out how many times as tall as Lady D.
– James Archer
OK, something from Compulsion Games next, the creators of We Happy Few. We have a fella playing a guitar surrounded by animals in what looks like a swamp?
– Liam Richardson
I'm genuinely more interested in Fable now that is confirmed to feature a kaiju Dean Lerner.
– James Archer
Lovely animation style, this. Reminds me of Coraline.
– Liam Richardson
Pretty much all CG, though, so if you were hoping for an in-game look at Fable you're not missing much.
– James Archer
Now here's a Star Wars game from Massive.
– James Archer
A young woman asks our rather unwell looking musician if they've seen a giant monster, which seemingly rises out of the water behind her. Looks like she can cast spells?
That'll be South of Midnight. No gameplay. Is that going to be a theme today, do we reckon?
– Liam Richardson
Massive's SW trailer is focusing on a half-Han Solo, half-Rey small time criminal type.
– James Archer
WarderDragon says: Let's hope the Fable reboot takes absolutely no inspiration from the non-game that was Fable 3!
Yeah Fable 3 was a bit disappointing. I bought the special edition for that game, which has literally started to rot over the last few years. An extremely cursed artefact.
– Liam Richardson
Star Wars: Outlaws, it's called, and coming in 2024. Looks mildly interesting - not without the usual Star Wars space battles, but is all about the underworld crims-and-crooks side of the galaxy.
– James Archer
The next game by Thunder Lotus, creators of Spiritfarer, is up now. It appears to be a Hades-like hack 'n slash that lets up to 33 people tackle monsters together.
33 Immortals. Out next year.
– Liam Richardson
Payday 3!
– James Archer
Lars Westergren says: What was the name of that "being a rogue in Star Wars" game that was cancelled? 1313?
That was the one!
– Liam Richardson
Looks a lot like Payday 2, but slightly more mobile - your robber can slide now. Out Sept 21.
– James Archer
An Atlus game. Is this the Persona 3 remake? Quick, everyone, act surprised!
– Liam Richardson
I hope Payday 3 builds on the stealthy/actual *heist* stuff of P2. Can't recall ever actually pulling a theft that didn't descend into a gun massacre.
– James Archer
Oooh, this might be Avowed, Obdisian's fantasy RPG.
– James Archer
I'm a very recent Persona convert having only discovered the joy of Persona 5 towards the end of last year, but i'm happy to see an earlier entry in the series get a lavish remake that brings it in line with more recent entries.
Persona 3 Reload. Out early next year!
– Liam Richardson
It's colourful, I'll give it that.
– James Archer
WarderDragon says: Dark Messiah kick to that dwarf face right there.
Huge fan of big kicks. That was a superb kick.
– Liam Richardson
Yep, Avowed, and it's coming sometime next year. Looked potentially decent? Lots of funky spells that aren't the usual flame/ice throwing.
– James Archer
Sea of Thieves and... Lucasfilm?
It's a Monkey Island tie in! There's Stan! And Guybrush! What a neat thing!
The Legend of Monkey Island launches on July 20th.
– Liam Richardson
Something Flight Sim now. With dirt-dumping aerial firefighting, search and rescue and air ambulancing?
– James Archer
This is literally every possible use for a plane/helicopter.
– James Archer
Micrsosoft Flight Simulator 2024 confirmed! Releasing in 2030. Nah I'm just fucking around, it's 2024.
– James Archer
Senua's Saga Hellblade II is up next. It's been a while since we last had an update, but it looks like we're being treated to some fresh gameplay.
– Liam Richardson
But also...a Dune expansion for current!Microsoft Flight Sim. You can fly...one of those..flappy wing insect vehicle things. Releasing this year, on November 23rd.
– James Archer
Not a huge fan of this woman whispering in my ear. If you're not wearing headphones, you're missing out on some spooky audio mixing right now.
– Liam Richardson
New gameplay shows Senua stood in the middle of a cave, listening to whispering voices as the walls shift and crack around her. It looks phenomenal. The water. Senua's facial expressions. The walls. Goodness me.
– Liam Richardson
Well the whispering was a bit much but Senua's Saga Hellblade II is scheduled to launch next year which is quite exciting.
– Liam Richardson
Ah, now here's Like a Dragon 8. Trailer begins with yer man Ichiban waking up naked on a packed American beach?
– James Archer
Okay that's for something called Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Is that what LAD 8 is now called? Not clear.
– James Archer
A Fallout 76 update, complete with a classic Fallout animation showing Vault Boy and co larking about. It looks like players will be travelling to Atlantic City soon?
I should really check this out. I hear it's really good these days.
– Liam Richardson
Next: something new from Capcom. Looks like an ancient Japan setting with samurai vs slimy monsters.
– James Archer
That's Path of the Goddess. No date, but coming to Game Pass.
– James Archer
Cars! Is this Forza? I assume this is Forza.
– Liam Richardson
Bit of a GM ad, this.
– James Archer
I know cars. No one has ever doubted my knowledge about cars. I'm looking at these cars right now and stroking my chin and nodding, because I understand what's happening and I'm very excited about it.
– Liam Richardson
New Corvettes are coming to Forza Motorsport. They look very shiny. Some lovely ray tracing going on here.
– Liam Richardson
...I wanna make clear that the LAD: Infinite Wealth trailer was literally, in its entirety, a man walking around naked on a beach.
– James Archer
Elder Scrolls Online now.
– James Archer
Ohhhh yeah it's the Necrom expansion. Set in Morrowind, and is already out now.
– James Archer
Overwatch 2, here. Looks like the remnants of the game's scrapped co-op mode will be added to the game in an upcoming season in the form of story missions.
A new game mode, flashpoint, will also be available to play. That launches August 10th.
Game pass subscribers can gain access to every new hero added to the game so far on the same day. Pretty neat!
– Liam Richardson
Lars Westergren says: Oh the PC show starts in 2.5 hours? Damn I'm going to have to be up late today.
It does! James and I will also be covering that one on the site, too.
– Liam Richardson
Starfield trailer. A teaser for the full presentation later, perhaps? A voice-over just said "A field of stars" which has tickled me.
– Liam Richardson
More Persona, specifically a trailer for Persona 5 Tactica, the chibi tactics game that Atlus West accidentally revealed on Instagram the other day.
– James Archer
I mean I'm interested in Starfield but you guys know you have a whole show dedicated to it in, like, 15 minutes right
– James Archer
This does look very exciting. A town made from scrap. A colourful nightclub. Huge spaceships. Zipping around with a jetpack. Hitting a weird alien monster with an axe. It looks grand.
– Liam Richardson
Don't Nod's next game is up. Very pretty, very chill 3D jumper-and-climber called Jusant. Out in Autumn this year.
– James Archer
OK, up next. The next game by The Chinese Room! Set aboard an oil rig in rough seas. I am immediately on board. It looks suitably creepy and dramatic.
Still Wakes The Deep. Out early next year. Day one on Game Pass, too.
– Liam Richardson
Dungeons of Hinterbeg is our next reveal. Very autumnal-coloured action-platformer with some puzzling and hack-n-slashing.
– James Archer
Keanu! It's Keanu!
He's here to talk about Phantom Liberty, the upcoming expansion for Cyberpunk 2077.
– Liam Richardson
Where did he run off to???
– Liam Richardson
I can't wait for Idris Elba to come and clear the cupboards.
– James Archer
V is dying, and the president is being held hostage in a rough part of town. Looks like you'll be hanging out with Idris in a hunt to find a cure for your mysterious affliction.
It looks grand, and it's out September 26th. That's soon!
– Liam Richardson
There are so many games coming out this year. Deary me.
– Liam Richardson
Cities Skylines 2, looks like.
– James Archer
Yep! That's out October 24th.
– James Archer
I am going to be insufferable about this game when it comes out. It's me, the city builder liker.
– Liam Richardson
Another Atlus game?
It's a stylish turn-based RPG (of course). But what is it...?
– Liam Richardson
Metaphor Re Fantazio! Out in 2024. Atlus fans are eating well this evening.
– Liam Richardson
From the Banner Saga devs, it's a co-op fantasy fighter: Towerborne. Coming 2024. Looked a bit Streets of Rage-ish, if that had goblins.
– James Archer
Oooh the next project by inXile! It's giving huge Bioshock Infinite vibes.
– Liam Richardson
It's a first-person shooter set in a steampunk city with a time travel twist! Looks like your actions will have a huge effect on your surroundings.
Clockwork Revolution. Coming "in due time".
– Liam Richardson
Pretty good showcase overall, I thought? A bit heavy on the CGI trailers, mind.
– Liam Richardson
Oh look there's a new Xbox Series S, in black. There I've told you.
– James Archer
Now: Starfield Direct!
– James Archer
SHOW. ME. THE. WEIRD. ALIENS. TODD.
– Liam Richardson
Todd Howard is here. He's not wearing a jacket. I'm FURIOUS.
– Liam Richardson
We're kicking things off with a montage of planets you'll be able to explore. The variety is huge.
– Liam Richardson
Hoping for a few more alien-looking worlds than the largely Earth-ish planets we've seen so far.
– James Archer
Combat is looking snappy!
– Liam Richardson
Well, this is certainly a deep dive. No menu screen will go unexplored.
– James Archer
That was some delicious looking food. Other than... a plate of beetles and whipped cream? Did I see that right?
– Liam Richardson
WarderDragon says: I know I'm going to spend countless hours in No Man's Skyrim. People complain about the engine, but that just means thousands of mods will be available.
"No Man's Skyrim" is so good hahahaha.
– Liam Richardson
WarderDragon says: @Liam - the dish was called "Trilo Bites". I laughed.
Well spotted, that's very good.
– Liam Richardson
Ah, a spiritual successor to the Mass Effect galaxy map.
– James Archer
But with less good music.
– James Archer
Look at those buttons! Clicky buttons and dials. This looks great.
– Liam Richardson
I do like how New Atlantis actually looks like a city. Even the biggest Skyrim/Fallout settlements are ultimately just settlements.
– James Archer
You'll become a member of Constellation, a group of explorers who carry an almost mythic reputation.
– Liam Richardson
There is at least one space pirate in Starfield that resembles an actual pirate.
– James Archer
Oh you can go to Mars. Can you visit Earth? Can I travel to future Birmingham?
– Liam Richardson
Lars Westergren says: "The great serpent hungersssss" ehh what was that accent supposed to be?
Snake.
– James Archer
Onto character creation. Imagining Geoff K asking an auditorium "Who wants to see some character creation???" and grown men cheering.
– James Archer
The character creator has had a huge overhaul. Every character in Starfield has been designed using the same set of tools you'll be given access to at the start of the game.
– Liam Richardson
Hah, it's the great-great-great-great-great-grandson of the Adoring Fan from Oblivion.
– James Archer
Big ol' skill tree.
– James Archer
Loads of different ways to play. You can be stealthy. Go in all guns blazing. Talk your way out of conflict. You know. Bethesda things.
– Liam Richardson
I'm not convinced by the weightiness of the combat but am a fan of that "throw a grenade in a room then shut the door" move.
– James Archer
Fred says: Looks like Fallout in space which is pretty much what I expected and will play 200 hours of.
Oblivion with guns with swords with guns in space.
– James Archer
This is quite an earnest look at the game, rough edges and all, which I quite like? Makes me hopeful that it'll deliver on that huge scale the team spoke about at last year's not-E3.
– Liam Richardson
I am going to spend hours building the worst ship you've ever seen. Just an absolutely rancid pile of metal. I can't wait.
– Liam Richardson
I would like to ride in the Optimus Prime-shaped spaceship.
– James Archer
THAT'S Elias Toufexis as the space cowboy. And he's romanceable!
– James Archer
...the cowboy, not Elias Toufexis.
– James Archer
WarderDragon says: My biggest concern is how they expect to make the 1,000 random planets fun to explore. If the reason to go down is to pick up resources that can be found on 900 other planets, that's going to get dull quickly.
Yeah that's my main concern as well. I'm sort of hoping that there's enough hand-crafted stuff in there that you don't have to engage with that unless you want to?
– Liam Richardson
You can warp jump (or "grav jump") out of sticky dogfight situations. Hope this pulls off that Titanfall EJECT EJECT EJECT tension.
– James Archer
It's funny you mention Titanfall, James. That ship combat looks to make dogfighting snappy in the same way Titanfall made mech combat a fast paced affair.
– Liam Richardson
The Bethesda dev who bases her ship designs on animals has confessed to playing as a space pirate. Imagine getting your entire hold nicked by a ship shaped like a capybara.
– James Archer
The show is taking a break so that Todd can try to sell you a special edition.
– James Archer
Colector's edition time. You can get a watch! The same watch you get in the game! Neat!
– Liam Richardson
Werthead says: "I can't wait for Idris Elba to come and clear the cupboards."
I saw Lets Eat Grandma in London last night and when they dropped that track, the crowd went mental. All thanks to CDPR and Netflix.
One of my all-time favourite bands! I saw them live last year and the crowd also went wild for that track. Good for them. They deserve every success.
– Liam Richardson
Back to Starfield itself and how planets are filled up with randomly generated...everything. Buildings, aliens, plants, resources etc.
– James Archer
Relying so hard on random gen stuff does worry me tbh. Radiant quests in Skyrim/Fallout 4 were famously meh.
– James Archer
Speaking of Fallout 4, settlement building is back in the form of habitat construction.
– James Archer
Ah, base building time. This never clicked with me in Fallout 4, but this looks a little more complex here? You can set up resource extractors, assign crewmates to specific jobs.
Oh, and you can now build from a top-down viewpoint. That's going to remove a huge amount of fiddliness. Hopefully.
– Liam Richardson
Oh, the varying gravity sounds fun. All my bases will of course be built on planets where I can casually jump onto the roof.
– James Archer
Was that magic? Is this truly Skyrim with guns in space?
– Liam Richardson
That was like the mass telekinesis power in Atomic Heart and for the love of fuck do I want to stop being reminded of Atomic Heart.
– James Archer
We're wrapping things up with a montage of the team telling us their favourite bits from the game. You can tell they're really proud of this thing that they've created.
– Liam Richardson
A reminder of the release date (6th September 2023) and we're done! Oh wait no there's one more roundup of all the other Microsoft stuff.
– James Archer
I am going to listen to The Race For Space by Public Service Broadcasting on a loop while playing Starfield, I think. The perfect pairing.
– Liam Richardson
WarderDragon says: So BG3 on Aug 30, Starfield on Sep 6, then Cyberpunk 2077 expansion three weeks later. Yikes!
A very busy few weeks!
– Liam Richardson
Nothing truly wowzered my trousers in that but I'll probably play Payday 3 and Clockwork Revolution. And I like the look of Dungeons of Hinterberg as well:
Your pick(s), Liam?
– James Archer
A couple of cool things! Dungeons of Hinterberg looked ace, I agree. As did Jusant and Still Wakes The Deep. Gotta give my top pick to Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, though, which looked like pure classic Capcom.
– Liam Richardson
Dave L. says: Would've really liked a hint at what Arkane Lyon is up to.
Standing outside the windows of Arkane Austin, glaring in?
– James Archer
And with that, we're wrapping up this particular liveblog, but you can join us in an hour for the PC Gaming Show! Liam and I will be covering that here.
Cheers!
– James Archer
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