For gamers, a new year can mean a lot of things, but 2020 is set to be bigger than most. Outside what's to be expected on the game front, there's new hardware moving in and a potential shift in the overall dynamic of the gaming industry. While every change that comes this year remains to be seen, there's a lot of potential for every major brand on the market, whether it's PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo.
So, while each of these companies indubitably have something hidden up its own sleeve, there's still plenty out there for Xbox fans to be excited about moving into 2020.
A New Game Lineup
As all gamers know, it's all about the games, and some of the most anticipated video games of 2020 are going to be dropping on the Xbox One. Some, like Godfall and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, are being reserved for next-gen platform releases, but there's little doubt that games like the remake of Resident Evil 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 will make their splash when they launch earlier on this year.
A New Game Pass Lineup
Perhaps the only thing better than a new game line up every year is the addition of new games to Game Pass. Xbox's subscription service has picked up a lot of popularity since it was introduction, especially given the fact that all Xbox exclusive launch via Game Pass. Right now, exactly what games will make their way to the service over the year is unknown, but ten Final Fantasy games are confirmed for Game Pass in 2020. If that's any indication of its direction, it should be a big year.
E3 2020
While Sony has once again confirmed it'll be skipping out on E3, the same cannot be said for Xbox. Determined to once again go big at the event, Xbox confirmed it will appear at the E3 showcase. Considering E3 is often considered the biggest gaming event of the year, it's a good time for Xbox to shine and make the showcase its own. What it could potentially show remains in the air, but there's a good chance a more in-depth exploration of the Xbox Series X will be revealed, new game premieres, new confirmations, and so much more.
Halo Infinite
Halo has always been a flagship for Microsoft, so it's understandable that many are excited to see what the next chapter in Master Chief's adventures bring. The storyline is said to be "much more human," and there'll be more Mater Chief than in Halo 5. Not much more is currently known, but perhaps the best part is that those who don't want to upgrade to the Series X right away with also be able to play Halo: Infinite on Xbox One.
8K Gaming
Reportedly, it seems that the Xbox Series X will be able to support 8K gaming, as its processor even has 8K engraved into it. It will be interesting to see how the this is handled and marketed, but it's doubtful that the full strength of it is capitalized upon this year. Still, it could be something big for the console as it moves from launch into its first year in 2021, with perhaps more details about this elaborated upon this year.
Load Times
Another thing to look forward to is how the Xbox Series X will handle load times when it launches. As many know, load times can oftentimes be considered a bane among gamers, especially when they are incredibly long or don't seem to be worth the wait for the content that is loaded. Load times have been drastically reduced over the years, but with the Xbox Series X aiming to virtually eliminate load times, that is something that could be big moving into late 2020.
Rumor: Epic Games Store and Steam Support
As a rumor, this should be taken with a massive grain of salt, but if it's true, it's almost mind-blowing. There's been some suggestions that the Xbox Series X will be able to launch a Windows 10 mode that will allow it to function secondarily as a PC and thereby support games via the Epic Games Store and Steam. This is not inconsistent with Xbox's plans for its PC players, and the Series X has even been compared to a computer tower. That also means console players could get access to PC games without actually needing a PC. Again, this should be taken with a healthy amount of skepticism, but perhaps Phil Spencer's comments about E3, specifically about it being "propelled by the cross-section of creativity and technical progress" can be taken in a different light.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
When Phil Spencer revealed the Xbox Series X, he also revealed Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Running on the Series X engine, it showcased not only the power of the console, but how beautiful the game will be when it launches. Little is currently known about the game, but it is set to drop later this year and more details are bound to pop up throughout 2020.
Xbox One Exclusives
Besides general games releasing this year, the Xbox One has a few exclusives set to come out over the next year or so. It's also worth mentioning that, following the Xbox Series X launch, games will be available on both platforms for at least a year, so those who are hesitant to fork out the cash right away aren't left to the wayside. Either way, players can expect to see the aforementioned Halo Infinite, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Bleeding Edge, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Chances are, more exclusives will likely be announced this year to showcase what many of Microsoft's newly purchased studios are working on.
Xbox Series X
Last, but certainly not least, is the actual launch of the Xbox Series X. It is set to release this holiday season and has the potential to make waves. Phil Spencer took the stage at the Game Awards 2019 to show off its design, has revealed the Xbox Series X slogan, and more, but it's likely that the hits will keep coming throughout 2020 building up to its release. In other words, while it's a big too early to say for sure what will come of the Xbox Series X, that'll likely play a huge role in Xbox's marketing throughout 2020.
Xbox Series X releases in Holiday 2020.