According to Neowin, Microsoft is hosting its final showcase of 2025 this Thursday, November 20 at 10am PT. The Xbox Partner Preview will feature new reveals from third-party publishers including IO Interactive, Tencent, and THQ Nordic. Confirmed games include James Bond’s 007 First Light, dark fantasy title Tides of Annihilation, and horror adventure Reanimal. The show will stream in 4K on Xbox’s YouTube channel and in 1080p on platforms like Twitch. Microsoft teased “several brand-new reveals” and confirmed every game shown will support Xbox Play Anywhere. Voice actress Jennifer English, who plays Tides of Annihilation’s protagonist, will narrate the showcase.
The third-party push
Here’s the thing about this Partner Preview – it’s Microsoft doubling down on third-party relationships when they need it most. With first-party exclusives becoming scarcer, these partnerships are crucial for maintaining Xbox’s value proposition. And the Play Anywhere support for every single game shown? That’s not accidental. Microsoft wants you thinking about ecosystem, not just individual titles.
But let’s be real – how many people are actually using Play Anywhere? The feature’s been around for years, yet it rarely gets mentioned outside Microsoft’s own announcements. Still, it’s a smart differentiator when Sony and Nintendo keep their platforms much more walled-off.
The Bond gambit
007 First Light appearing here is interesting timing. IO Interactive just showed extended gameplay, so why another appearance so soon? Either they’re really confident in this project, or they’re trying to build momentum for what might be a risky bet. Remember, this isn’t GoldenEye – it’s a completely original Bond story.
And what about those “unannounced games” Microsoft is teasing? The official announcement specifically mentions “world premieres of unannounced new games.” Given that we’re heading into 2026, this could be our first look at what third-parties have cooking for the next hardware cycle.
The Silent Hill possibility
Now, the Silent Hill 2 mention is purely speculative based on leaks, but it would make sense. Xbox has been playing catch-up with Japanese publishers, and landing a high-profile remake like that would be a win. The question is whether Konami would prioritize an Xbox version announcement here versus a dedicated PlayStation event.
Basically, this showcase feels like Microsoft positioning Xbox as the most flexible platform. Play on console, play on PC, your progress follows you. In a market where exclusives are becoming less common, that cross-platform convenience might be their strongest card to play right now.
