Windows Central Insider
Last weekend's Xbox Games Showcase was Microsoft's latest big gaming presentation, and featured trailers, deep looks, and more at everything from action-packed shooters like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Gears of War: E-Day to upcoming RPGs such as Fable and Clockwork Revolution.
Notably, however, one game that was absent from the show was Marvel's Blade, the new single player third-person action-adventure title from Bethesda and Arkane Lyon (Dishonored, Deathloop) that sees you play as the legendary vampire hunter anti-hero of comic book fame. First announced in 2023 during The Game Awards, we've barely heard or seen anything about it since.
Many have been worried that Blade may have been quietly canceled, though a "Let us cook" GIF from Arkane's lead concept artist recently confirmed it's still in the oven. Xbox's chief content officer Matt Booty has also stated there's "potential" we could hear more about Blade in the coming months, signaling that the project is still in development.
"It’s a big show, I can’t fit everything in. It’s a big show, and there’s other beats coming up in the year," he told Variety when asked why Blade wasn't at the Xbox Games Showcase. "There’s always potential to hear more about things that didn’t show up today."
While this isn't a concrete confirmation that we'll get an update on Blade's development soon, it does give me hope that Xbox and Arkane will have more of it to show at some point later this year.
If I had to guess, I'd say we'll probably see the game make an appearance at either Gamescom Opening Night Live in August or in The Game Awards ceremony this December. However, it's also entirely possible that Microsoft will show more of it off on its own, independent of any major gaming events.
Many believe Blade will be an Xbox console exclusive, though this hasn't been directly stated. Still, Microsoft owns both Bethesda and Arkane, and it's demonstrated a willingness to return to exclusive games by keeping Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution off of PS5; CEO Asha Sharma has said she believes exclusives can help Xbox turn some of its recent business struggles around, also.
If we do get to see more of Blade later this year, than I expect Microsoft will have more to share about the title's potential exclusivity at that time. Until we next see it, though? I'll be content with the fact that we know it hasn't been axed.
How are you feeling about the development of Marvel's Blade? Share your thoughts in the comments, and in our poll. Also, keep in mind that whenever it does come, it will almost certainly be available on Xbox Game Pass as a Microsoft first-party game.
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