Xbox fans woke up to some exciting news this week. Microsoft officially confirmed that the next Xbox Partner Preview is happening this Thursday, November 20th at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK. And based on what we know so far, this showcase is shaping up to be one you won’t want to miss.
This isn’t your typical Xbox showcase. Partner Preview events focus entirely on third-party games, meaning everything shown will likely be multiplatform. Whether you’re playing on PlayStation, PC, or Xbox, most of these games will be available across all systems.
What We Know Is Coming
Microsoft didn’t leave us completely in the dark about what to expect. The official Xbox Wire announcement confirmed that three major games will be featured prominently during the showcase.
First up is 007 First Light from IO Interactive, the studio behind the modern Hitman trilogy. This has been one of the most anticipated games since its initial reveal, and Thursday’s showcase promises an exciting first look at new content. The game launches March 27, 2026, and puts players in the shoes of a young James Bond earning his legendary status as a double-0 agent.
Next is Tides of Annihilation, a dark fantasy epic from Tencent that’s been generating serious buzz. The showcase will feature an extended gameplay trailer, giving us a deeper look at what appears to be a visually stunning action game. Interestingly, Jennifer English, who plays the protagonist Gwendolyn in the game (and is beloved by fans for her role as Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3), will be narrating the entire showcase.
The third confirmed game is Reanimal, a horror adventure from Tarsier Studios. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because this is the team that created Little Nightmares. Their signature creepy aesthetic and unsettling atmosphere are exactly what horror fans have been craving.
The Xbox Play Anywhere Twist
Here’s something interesting that Windows Central’s Jez Corden reported before the official announcement. Every single game featured during this Partner Preview will be Xbox Play Anywhere certified. That means one purchase gets you the game across Xbox consoles, PC, and even the upcoming Xbox handheld devices.
This is a big deal for the Xbox ecosystem. Microsoft has been pushing cross-platform play and unified gaming experiences for years, and this showcase seems designed to highlight how seamlessly their platform works across different devices.
For players, it means flexibility. Start a game on your Xbox Series X in the living room, continue it on your PC in the office, or take it portable when the Xbox handheld eventually launches. Your progress, achievements, and saves all sync automatically.
Brand New Reveals and Game Pass Announcements
The confirmed games are exciting enough, but Microsoft is also teasing brand new reveals. These could be anything from previously unannounced games to surprise shadow drops that launch immediately after the showcase.
There will also be Game Pass announcements, which typically means several games will be added to the subscription service either during the showcase or shortly after. Microsoft has been aggressively expanding Game Pass with day-one releases from major publishers, so expect some significant additions.
The timing also lines up perfectly with the second wave of November Game Pass additions. The first wave already dropped, so this showcase could reveal what’s coming in the back half of the month.
The Silent Hill 2 Situation
Now here’s where things get really interesting. Microsoft hasn’t officially mentioned Silent Hill 2 Remake in any promotional material for this showcase. But the game’s Xbox version was accidentally leaked on the Microsoft Store with a November 21st release date.
That’s literally the day after this showcase. Coincidence? Probably not.
Silent Hill 2 Remake launched as a PlayStation 5 console exclusive in October 2024, and it was a massive critical and commercial success. Bloober Team absolutely nailed the atmosphere and horror of the original while modernizing the gameplay. Xbox fans have been waiting patiently for their turn, and it looks like that wait is almost over.
A shadow drop announcement during the Partner Preview would be classic Microsoft marketing. Show a trailer, reveal it launches the next day, and watch the internet explode. It’s happened before with major releases, and Silent Hill 2 would be the perfect candidate for this treatment.
The only wrinkle is that the leaked store listing didn’t show Xbox Play Anywhere support, which contradicts reports that every game in the showcase will have it. Either the store page wasn’t finalized, or Silent Hill 2 might not actually appear at this event. We’ll find out Thursday.
Who’s Behind These Games
Microsoft specifically name-dropped three major partners for this showcase: IO Interactive, Tencent, and THQ Nordic. Each of these companies has been involved in some high-profile projects recently.
IO Interactive is obviously bringing 007 First Light, but they’re also known for their meticulous attention to detail and player choice. Their Hitman games are masterclasses in emergent gameplay, where every mission has dozens of possible solutions. Expect that same philosophy to carry over into their Bond game.
Tencent is one of the largest gaming companies in the world, though Western audiences might not be as familiar with their titles. Tides of Annihilation appears to be their big push into the Western market with a AAA dark fantasy game that looks visually spectacular based on early footage.
THQ Nordic has been quietly building an impressive portfolio by acquiring beloved franchises and funding creative projects. They’ve published everything from Kingdoms of Amalur to Wreckfest to SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. Whatever they’re showing could be completely unexpected.
Why This Matters for All Gamers
Even if you don’t own an Xbox, these Partner Preview events are worth watching. Because the focus is on third-party games, almost everything shown will eventually come to PlayStation and PC as well. These showcases have become a reliable way to see what’s coming across the entire gaming landscape.
Past Partner Preview events have featured major announcements like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Alan Wake 2: Night Springs, and various Final Fantasy titles. Microsoft uses these showcases to highlight games that might not fit into their main June showcases or The Game Awards presentations.
For developers, it’s valuable marketing exposure. Microsoft streams these events across their massive YouTube and Twitch channels, guaranteeing millions of eyeballs on whatever gets shown. Even PlayStation-exclusive games have been mentioned during Partner Preview events if Microsoft has marketing rights.
How to Watch
The Xbox Partner Preview will be broadcast live on Thursday, November 20th across Xbox’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. The timing is designed to work across multiple time zones.
| Region | Time |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time | 10:00 AM |
| Eastern Time | 1:00 PM |
| UK Time | 6:00 PM |
| Central European Time | 7:00 PM |
| India Standard Time | 11:30 PM |
Microsoft typically keeps these Partner Preview events relatively short, usually around 20-30 minutes. They pack a lot of information into that timeframe without dragging things out unnecessarily.
What Comes After This
This Partner Preview is just one piece of Microsoft’s marketing calendar for the holiday season. The Game Awards happen on December 12th, where insiders suggest Microsoft has some major announcements planned for their first-party titles.
Then in January, Microsoft typically hosts a Developer Direct event. These showcases go deeper into upcoming games with extended gameplay demonstrations and developer interviews. It’s where they’ve previously done deep dives on games like Hi-Fi Rush, Redfall, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
The fact that Microsoft is doing a Partner Preview now, with The Game Awards and Developer Direct coming soon, suggests they have a lot of news to share across the next few months. 2026 is shaping up to be an incredibly packed year for releases across all platforms.
FAQs
What time is the Xbox Partner Preview on November 20th?
The showcase begins at 10am Pacific Time, 1pm Eastern Time, or 6pm UK time on Thursday, November 20, 2025. It will be streamed live on Xbox’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.
Will first-party Xbox games be shown at Partner Preview?
No, the Partner Preview events focus exclusively on third-party games from external publishers and developers. First-party Xbox games typically appear at their main June showcase or the Developer Direct events in January.
Is Silent Hill 2 Remake coming to Xbox?
While not officially confirmed for the showcase, Silent Hill 2 Remake was leaked on the Microsoft Store with a November 21, 2025 release date. Many expect it will be shadow-dropped during the Partner Preview event.
What does Xbox Play Anywhere mean?
Xbox Play Anywhere is a program where buying a game once gives you access across Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Your saves, achievements, and progress sync automatically across all devices.
Are Partner Preview games exclusive to Xbox?
No, Partner Preview focuses on third-party multiplatform games. Most titles shown will be available on PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo platforms as well, though some may have timed exclusivity periods.
Who is Jennifer English and why is she narrating?
Jennifer English is an actress best known for playing Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Gwendolyn in Tides of Annihilation. She’s narrating the Partner Preview showcase, likely because her character features prominently in one of the showcased games.
Will there be Game Pass announcements?
Yes, Microsoft confirmed there will be Game Pass announcements during the showcase. This typically means several games will be added to the subscription service, potentially including day-one releases.
How long will the Xbox Partner Preview last?
Microsoft hasn’t announced the exact runtime, but previous Partner Preview events have typically lasted 20-30 minutes with tightly edited trailers and announcements.
Conclusion
Thursday’s Xbox Partner Preview is shaping up to be an exciting showcase packed with major third-party games. Between the confirmed appearances of 007 First Light, Tides of Annihilation, and Reanimal, plus the mysterious new reveals and likely Silent Hill 2 shadow drop, there’s plenty to look forward to.
The focus on Xbox Play Anywhere titles also shows Microsoft’s commitment to making gaming more flexible and accessible across different devices. Whether you prefer playing on console, PC, or want the option to switch between both, these games will meet you wherever you are.
Even if you’re not in the Xbox ecosystem, this showcase is worth watching. Third-party focused events like this give us a glimpse at what’s coming to all platforms over the next year. And with The Game Awards and more showcases coming soon, the next few months will be packed with major gaming announcements.
Set your reminders for Thursday at 10am Pacific. This one’s going to be good.