Xbox fans have a lot to look forward to over the next few months. Windows Central’s Jez Corden revealed that Microsoft is planning an Xbox Partner Preview event for sometime in November 2025, marking the first of three major gaming showcases scheduled between now and early 2026. The November event will focus exclusively on third-party games from Microsoft’s publishing partners, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility taking center stage.
This announcement comes at a critical time for Xbox as the company works to rebuild momentum after a challenging year marked by studio closures and strategy questions. Between the November Partner Preview, appearances at The Game Awards in December, and the traditional Developer Direct in January, Microsoft is clearly preparing to shift the conversation back to what matters most for gamers. The games themselves.
What Is Xbox Partner Preview
Xbox Partner Preview is Microsoft’s streamlined showcase format dedicated entirely to third-party games. Unlike the main Xbox Games Showcase that highlights first-party titles from studios like Bethesda, Obsidian, and The Coalition, Partner Preview focuses on games developed by external studios that are publishing on Xbox platforms. Think of it as Microsoft’s version of a State of Play or Nintendo Direct, but specifically for non-Microsoft games.
These events typically run 25 to 30 minutes and pack in trailers, gameplay reveals, release date announcements, and surprise drops. The format has proven popular because it cuts out filler content and gets straight to showing games. No executives talking about corporate strategy, no extended developer interviews, just pure game announcements one after another.
Last Year’s Partner Preview Delivered
The most recent Xbox Partner Preview took place in October 2024, giving us a strong indication of what November’s event might include. That showcase featured 15 games including Alan Wake 2’s The Lake House expansion, Like A Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Wuchang Fallen Feathers, and the surprise reveal of Remedy’s multiplayer game FBC Firebreak. The event also included immediate releases like Animal Well and Blindfire alongside the world premiere teaser for Subnautica 2.
According to Corden’s sources, the November 2025 Partner Preview was recently finalized at Xbox headquarters. The event will showcase games from publishing partners of all shapes and sizes, meaning we should see a healthy mix of AAA titles from major publishers alongside interesting indies and mid-tier releases. The diversity of October 2024’s lineup suggests November will follow a similar pattern.
Xbox Play Anywhere Takes Center Stage
The defining characteristic of November’s Partner Preview will be its focus on Xbox Play Anywhere titles. Corden reports that almost every game shown at the event will feature Xbox Play Anywhere support, if not the entire lineup. This represents a significant strategic push from Microsoft to make cross-platform play the default expectation for Xbox games.
For those unfamiliar, Xbox Play Anywhere allows you to buy a game once digitally and play it on both Xbox consoles and Windows PC at no additional cost. Your saves, achievements, progress, and purchases sync seamlessly across all devices. If you buy a game on Xbox Series X, you can continue playing on your gaming laptop without repurchasing anything. The same applies in reverse. Buy on PC and you automatically own the Xbox console version too.
Why Microsoft Is Pushing Play Anywhere
Microsoft’s emphasis on Xbox Play Anywhere connects directly to their broader hardware strategy. With the next-generation Xbox console reportedly running full Windows underneath a console interface, and the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds already on the market, Microsoft is building an ecosystem where players can seamlessly move between devices. The company wants you playing Xbox games whether you’re on a traditional console, gaming PC, handheld device, or even through cloud streaming.
Corden notes that developers are increasingly excited about Xbox Play Anywhere opportunities, particularly after the ROG Xbox Ally exceeded sales expectations. When players can take their games anywhere and play however they want, engagement increases. Microsoft is betting that giving players more freedom to play will ultimately drive more game sales and ecosystem loyalty than restricting games to specific hardware.
ID@Xbox Showcase Comes First
Before the November Partner Preview arrives, Xbox fans get an appetizer on October 28, 2025. That’s today for those keeping track. IGN is hosting an ID@Xbox showcase featuring around 50 minutes of content focused on indie games. Publishers confirmed for the event include Thunder Lotus, Serenity Forge, PlaySide, Don’t Nod, Hooded Horse, Skybound, and many others.
The ID@Xbox showcase will reportedly have a heavy emphasis on Xbox Play Anywhere titles as well, suggesting Microsoft is using both October and November events to communicate their cross-platform vision to players. Expect new indie game reveals, release dates for previously announced titles, and likely a few games dropping into Xbox Game Pass immediately after the showcase.
Busy Fall for Xbox Announcements
The back-to-back showcases in October and November demonstrate Microsoft’s strategy of maintaining consistent communication with players rather than saving everything for one massive annual event. By spacing announcements across multiple smaller showcases, Xbox can keep momentum going and ensure different types of games get proper spotlight without competing for attention.
This approach also allows Microsoft to target specific audiences. The ID@Xbox showcase appeals to indie game fans who might not care about big budget AAA releases. The Partner Preview reaches players interested in third-party games but who might skip a first-party focused event. And the Developer Direct in January will serve hardcore Xbox fans eager for deep dives on Microsoft’s own studios.
Game Awards Presence in December
Between the November Partner Preview and January’s Developer Direct, Microsoft plans to have some presence at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. Details remain fuzzy about what Xbox will show at gaming’s biggest night, but Corden’s sources suggest Microsoft could reveal new gameplay footage, make hardware announcements, or showcase titles from their catalog of over 40 first-party games currently in development.
The Game Awards presents a massive opportunity for Xbox. Last year’s event drew 154 million viewers globally, making it one of the largest audiences in gaming. Microsoft would be smart to use that platform for at least one significant announcement, whether that’s a surprise release date for a highly anticipated game, first gameplay for an unannounced project, or a major update about their gaming ecosystem.
What Could Xbox Show
Speculation about Xbox’s Game Awards presence centers on several possibilities. We could see extended gameplay for Fable, the long-awaited fantasy RPG from Playground Games that’s been in development for years. State of Decay 3 from Undead Labs might make an appearance after being announced way back in 2020 with minimal updates since. There’s also the possibility of completely unannounced titles from studios like inXile or MachineGames making their debut.
Given Microsoft’s recent emphasis on hardware, The Game Awards could also serve as a venue for announcements related to the next-generation Xbox console or updates about the Xbox handheld project that’s reportedly still in development despite the ROG Xbox Ally partnership. However, major hardware reveals at The Game Awards would be unconventional, making game announcements the more likely scenario.
Developer Direct Returns in January
The final piece of Xbox’s showcase schedule is the Developer Direct expected to air sometime in January 2026. This has become Microsoft’s annual deep-dive event where individual studios get dedicated segments to thoroughly explain their upcoming games. Unlike the rapid-fire trailer format of Partner Preview, Developer Direct focuses on fewer games but shows them in much greater detail.
According to Corden’s report, January’s Developer Direct will likely feature some of Xbox’s biggest releases planned for 2026. The list of potential candidates includes Fable from Playground Games, Forza Horizon 6 from the Forza team, Gears E-Day from The Coalition, and Halo Campaign Evolved from 343 Industries. The timing coincides with Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebration, making it the perfect moment to showcase the platform’s most iconic franchises.
2026 Could Be Huge for Xbox
If Microsoft delivers on even half of the games rumored for 2026, it would mark one of the strongest years in Xbox history. New entries in Halo, Gears of War, Fable, and Forza Horizon within a single year would be unprecedented for the platform. Add in titles like State of Decay 3, Perfect Dark, Clockwork Revolution, and whatever else Microsoft’s 30 plus studios are working on, and 2026 starts looking like the payoff for years of studio acquisitions.
The Developer Direct format works perfectly for showcasing these big-budget games. When The Coalition showed Gears E-Day during the June 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, fans got a brief teaser but craved more details about gameplay mechanics, story direction, and release timing. The Developer Direct can answer those questions with 15 to 20 minute segments that really dig into what makes each game special.
Why This Matters for Xbox
Microsoft’s packed showcase schedule through early 2026 serves multiple purposes beyond just announcing games. After a turbulent year that saw studio closures at Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks alongside questions about Xbox’s overall strategy, the company needs to rebuild confidence among players, developers, and investors. A steady stream of game announcements demonstrates that Xbox remains committed to gaming despite corporate restructuring.
The emphasis on Xbox Play Anywhere also communicates Microsoft’s vision for the future of gaming. Rather than competing directly with Sony and Nintendo in the traditional console wars, Xbox is positioning itself as the ecosystem where you can play games however you want across whatever devices you own. The November Partner Preview showcasing almost entirely Play Anywhere titles sends a clear message that this is the direction Microsoft expects the entire industry to move.
Third Party Support Still Matters
Despite Microsoft’s massive investment in first-party studios through acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, third-party games remain crucial to Xbox’s success. The majority of games played on any platform come from external developers, not first-party studios. By dedicating an entire showcase to partner games and making sure those games support Xbox Play Anywhere, Microsoft is working to ensure third-party publishers continue prioritizing the Xbox ecosystem.
Strong third-party support becomes even more important as Microsoft moves toward its next-generation hardware plans. If the next Xbox console really does run Windows with full Steam and Epic Games Store access alongside the native Xbox library, third-party developers need to be on board with that vision. Events like the Partner Preview help maintain those crucial relationships.
FAQs
When is the Xbox Partner Preview happening?
According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, the Xbox Partner Preview is scheduled for sometime in November 2025. An exact date hasn’t been announced yet, but Microsoft typically reveals showcase dates about two weeks in advance. Expect an official announcement in early November.
Will the Partner Preview include first-party Xbox games?
No, Xbox Partner Preview events focus exclusively on third-party games from external developers and publishers. Microsoft’s own first-party titles from studios like Bethesda, Obsidian, and The Coalition appear at different showcases like the Xbox Games Showcase or Developer Direct.
What is Xbox Play Anywhere?
Xbox Play Anywhere allows you to purchase a game once digitally and play it on both Xbox consoles and Windows PC at no additional cost. Your saves, achievements, progress, and in-game purchases sync seamlessly across all devices. Buy on Xbox and you automatically get the PC version, or vice versa.
What games were shown at the last Partner Preview?
The October 2024 Xbox Partner Preview featured 15 games including Alan Wake 2 The Lake House DLC, Like A Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Wuchang Fallen Feathers, FBC Firebreak, Subnautica 2, Animal Well, and Blindfire. The event ran approximately 25 minutes and included several world premieres.
When is the next Xbox Developer Direct?
Microsoft is expected to host an Xbox Developer Direct in January 2026, continuing the tradition established in recent years. The event will likely showcase major first-party games planned for 2026 including potentially Fable, Gears E-Day, Halo Campaign Evolved, and Forza Horizon 6.
Will Xbox announce anything at The Game Awards?
Xbox is expected to have some presence at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025, though specific details haven’t been confirmed. Microsoft could reveal new gameplay footage, make ecosystem announcements, or showcase unannounced titles from their portfolio of over 40 first-party games in development.
Where can I watch the Xbox Partner Preview?
Xbox Partner Preview events stream live on Xbox’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. The broadcasts are typically archived immediately after airing, so you can watch on demand if you miss the live stream. Xbox Wire also publishes recap articles with trailers and details for every game shown.
How long will the November Partner Preview last?
While not officially confirmed, previous Xbox Partner Preview events have run between 25 and 30 minutes. October 2024’s showcase was approximately 25 minutes and featured 15 games. Expect a similar length for November’s event with a comparable number of announcements.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s ambitious schedule of gaming events through January 2026 represents a concentrated effort to regain momentum and clearly communicate the Xbox vision to players. The November Partner Preview focusing on Xbox Play Anywhere titles demonstrates how seriously Microsoft is taking cross-platform gaming as the future of the industry. With the ID@Xbox showcase happening today, The Game Awards in December, and Developer Direct in January, Xbox fans have a steady stream of announcements to look forward to over the next few months. Whether Microsoft can deliver on the promise of these showcases with actual game releases in 2026 remains to be seen, but the company is clearly committed to showing players they haven’t given up on Xbox hardware despite questions about their long-term strategy. The November Partner Preview might focus on third-party games rather than Microsoft’s own blockbusters, but it’s an important part of demonstrating that Xbox remains a viable platform where all games, not just first-party exclusives, can thrive. Mark your calendars for sometime in November when Microsoft will once again take center stage to show off what’s coming to Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and the growing ecosystem of devices where you can play Xbox games wherever you want.