Microsoft's big event at E3 2021 will tie Xbox and Bethesda together, and it has the chance to help propel the Xbox Series X/S ahead of the PS5. This is Microsoft's chance to bring out the big guns and wow the audience, rather than not participating, which is Sony's current tactic for E3.
It's clear that Microsoft is going to be utilizing Bethesda to its fullest during E3. The console war between the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S has begun and Microsoft hasn't been churning out the exclusives as Sony has. By acquiring ZeniMax Media's properties, Microsoft has added a ton of potential exclusives to PC and Xbox systems. The fact that Microsoft is sharing the spotlight with Bethesda shows just how much faith the company has in the games that will be shown at E3 2021.
Bethesda can't hold up Microsoft's E3 conference on its own, however. Xbox Game Studios has a number of great companies under its belt, especially following the ZeniMax deal. This is the time to unleash games made by Arkane, id Software, Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and Rare. Microsoft has been buying up a lot of studios over the past few years, and tomorrow's conference has the chance to prove that those deals were worth it.
Microsoft & Bethesda's E3 Event Time & Stream Locations
The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will be held on June 13 at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET/6 PM BST. The streaming link for the show is currently available on the Xbox and Bethesda YouTube channels, so it's possible to set a reminder. It's also due to run on the official Xbox Twitch account. It is also embedded below:
In terms of announcements, fans are expecting Starfield, as well as more information regarding The Elder Scrolls 6. There's likely to be a lot of announcements regarding Xbox Game Pass, and the addition of Yakuza: Like A Dragon to the service has already leaked online. Chances are, there will be lots of games shadow-dropped or added to Game Pass over the next few days. It's likely that Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Psychonauts 2, and Scorn will appear in some capacity. The safest bet of all is that Halo Infinite will be prominently featured during the event. This was the game that was meant to be the Xbox Series X/S's big launch exclusive, but it was delayed, and enough time has passed that the world needs a new look at Master Chief.
The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will take place at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET/6 PM BST on June 13, 2021.