The gaming industry never really slows down. There are notable game releases every month, not to mention industry events, in-game events for ongoing games, expansions, DLC, betas, and more. September 2018 seems especially busy, featuring the launch of multiple high profile, big budget titles in addition to Tokyo Game Show, which is typically one of the biggest industry events of the year.

For gamers who may need a little bit of help keeping track of everything going on this month, here are all the biggest game releases and gaming events of September 2018.

Big Game Releases

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September is typically the start of the annual Fall gaming rush, and this year is no different. There are a number of high profile video game releases coming this month, ranging from high budget triple-A titles to more niche, but still notable games.

The month will start with Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age on September 4th, the first home console Dragon Quest release in the United States since Dragon Quest 8 released for the PS2 in 2005. There's also the PlayStation 4-exclusive Spider-Man to look forward to, as well as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and some smaller projects, like Nintendo's mobile action-RPG Dragalia Lost and Life is Strange 2.

Here are the biggest games releasing in September 2018:

  • Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PC/PS4) - September 4th
  • PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (Xbox One) - September 4th
  • Spider-Man (PS4) - September 7th
  • NBA 2K19 (PC/PS4/Switch/Xbox One) - September 11th
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PC/PS4/Xbox One) - September 14th
  • Valkyria Chronicles 4 (PC/PS4/Switch/Xbox One) - September 25th
  • Dragalia Lost (iOS/Android) - September 27th
  • Life is Strange 2 (PC/PS4/Xbox One) - September 27th
  • FIFA 19 (PC/PS3/PS4/Switch/Xbox 360/Xbox One) - September 28th

Expansions and DLC

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Besides new game releases, September will see existing titles expanded with some rather significant content updates. While there are many games that are set to get brand new DLC and expansion packs this month, there are two titles in particular that stand out as having especially noteworthy add-ons on the way.

The first one is the Forsaken expansion for Destiny 2, which is available now, and properly kicks off Destiny 2's second year of content. Many fans are counting on Forsaken revitalizing Destiny 2 in the same way The Taken King did for the first game, and we'll find out if it's successful or not soon enough.

There's also the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 expansion Torna - The Golden Country to look forward to as well. Torna - The Golden Country will be a standalone expansion to Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and will feature a brand new combat system while telling a story set 500 years before the first game.

  • Destiny 2: Forsaken (PC/PS4/Xbox One) - September 4th
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country (Switch) - September 14th

Betas

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With a number of big-name shooter games set to release in October and November, it's no surprise that September will have some betas for players to test out. The two juggernaut franchises of first-person shooters will be available to play in beta form in September in the form of Battlefield V's open beta and the private beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's battle royale mode Blackout.

EA Access subscribers or those who have pre-ordered Battlefield V can start the beta on September 4th at 1am PT. On September 6th at 1am PT, the beta will go live for everyone, and it will end on September 11th at 7am PT.

Meanwhile, the beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode starts September 10th at 10am PT and runs until September 17th at 10am PT. Xbox One owners can get in on the action beginning September 14th at 10am PT. Early access for the PC beta starts September 14th at 10am PT, with the open beta beginning one day later on September 15th at 10am PT. The PC beta will end at the same time as the PS4 and Xbox One versions, on September 17th at 10am PT.

In-Game Events

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Throughout the month of September, various video games that are touted as "live services" will have a variety of in-game events. Many in-game events aren't announced until a week or two before they start, but Pokemon GO developer Niantic has already revealed two separate in-game events for fans of that particular mobile game to play in September.

Pokemon GO will kick off its Moltres Day on September 8th, and it will feature Moltres in legendary raids for a three hour period. Later in the month on September 22nd, Pokemon GO fans will be able to participate in Chikorita Community Day, which will see the grass-type Pokemon Chikorita spawn everywhere, with its shiny form far more common than usual.

Gaming Events

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There are a couple of major gaming industry events in September 2018, with PAX West having just concluded. PAX West, which featured a real-world Fortnite mini-golf course and shone a spotlight on a wide variety of games (perhaps most notably BioWare's Anthem), ran until September 3rd in Seattle, Washington.

On September 19th and until September 23rd, all eyes will be on Japan for the annual Tokyo Game Show event. Essentially the Japanese equivalent to E3, the Tokyo Game Show is usually host to a number of major game reveals and announcements. Fans can expect the likes of the Resident Evil 2 remake and Kingdom Hearts 3 to be featured at the show, along with a multitude of other big titles.