Xbox at Gamescom 2026: 25 games that will change everything

Anniversaries come in different forms. Some are celebrated with cake and candles, others with major announcements that leave gamers around the world breathless. Xbox chose the latter. This year, the company is marking its 25th anniversary and plans to do it in the biggest way possible — by unveiling 25 games at the world’s largest gaming expo. Read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming event.

Gamescom 2026: August’s main gaming stage

Gamescom will take place from August 26 to 30 in Cologne, Germany. It’s not just a trade show — it’s an annual celebration for millions of players, developers, and publishers. In past years, some of the industry’s biggest announcements were made here. In 2026, Xbox intends to outdo itself.

25 games for 25 years: a number that speaks for itself

Showcasing 25 games at a single expo is more than a marketing move. It’s a statement of intent. Xbox is making it clear: the platform is alive, evolving, and ready to surprise. The lineup is expected to include both continuations of iconic series and brand-new projects that are still largely under wraps. That mix of the familiar and the unknown is exactly what makes this showcase so intriguing.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — the war goes on

A flagship among flagships. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is one of the main reasons to watch the Gamescom broadcast. The series has long been synonymous with blockbuster shooters, and the new installment promises to raise the bar even higher. Improved graphics, a reworked multiplayer mode, and — judging by early leaks — a large-scale story campaign are all expected. For franchise fans, this is must-see.

Gears of War: E-Day — back to where it all began

Gears of War fans have been waiting for this moment for years. E-Day is a prequel to the original trilogy, set on the day the Locust first emerged on the surface of Sera. It’s that very day that has been talked about so much, yet never shown in detail. Based on the teasers, The Coalition is leaning hard into tension and horror — and this could become the best entry in the series in the last decade.

Metro 2039 — post-apocalypse reaches a new level

Metro 2039 is perhaps the most unexpected yet most desired announcement in the lineup. The series, based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels, has always stood out for its unique atmosphere: dark tunnels, survival on the edge, and moral dilemmas with no right answers. According to the description, the new installment expands the action into a broader world, moving beyond the Moscow metro. For those who value story and atmosphere in games, this is the show’s main event.

Minecraft Dungeons II — a familiar world, new adventures

Fans of the blocky world won’t be left out. Minecraft Dungeons II continues to develop the dungeon-crawler format that, to many people’s surprise, won over a huge audience. The new installment promises a deeper progression system, expanded co-op, and — as tradition demands — an endless number of procedurally generated dungeons. A great pick for both series veterans and those just discovering the Minecraft universe.

Watch the broadcast: don’t miss a word

Xbox plans to host live broadcasts from all the expo’s key events. That means no matter where you are, you’ll be able to see every announcement in real time. We recommend subscribing in advance to Xbox’s official YouTube and Twitch channels — things are sure to get intense there.

Your move, gamers

Gamescom 2026 promises to be one of the biggest gaming events of the year. 25 games, high-profile returns of iconic series, and unexpected newcomers — all of it is waiting for us at the end of August.

Now the question is for you: which announcement interests you the most? Metro 2039, Gears of War: E-Day, or maybe something completely unexpected from the remaining twenty games? Share your thoughts in the comments — let’s discuss it together!