gaming

Around the middle of the year, the primary source of entertainment isn't a new Netflix series or a big-budget Hollywood movie, but rather a seemingly endless supply of video game showcases. Recently, we've seen the idea of dedicated livestreams expand further, with publishers and various gaming initiatives hosting them year-round. What that means is that you can look forward to digital events that'll keep you in the loop with all of the upcoming games on the horizon . Whether they be from established gaming giants like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo or smaller indie-focused livestreams like the Wholesome Direct, these typically follow the same format of unloading a bunch of trailers for new and upcoming games for you to enjoy at your leisure. Keeping track of all these broadcasts can be challenging, but to make things easier, you can scroll down below to see what's on the way. We're also keeping track of all the showcases that have already come and gone, so if you missed one, you can just click the link in each slide to watch the highlights. We'll keep this list updated throughout the year, so you can check back often to see what else you can look forward to as soon as it's announced. 2026 video game showcases still to come Warhammer Skulls -- May 21 Six One Indie Showcase -- May 21 Summer Game Fest -- June 5 Wholesome Direct -- June 6 Future Games Show Summer Showcase -- June 6 PC Gaming Show 2026 -- June 6 Story Rich Showcase -- June 5-7 Xbox Games Showcase -- June 7 The Game Awards 2026 -- December 10 Warhammer Skulls -- May 21 A celebration of all things Warhammer, this year's Warhammer Skulls livestream will feature plenty of new reveals and announcements. Actor and director Alanah Pearce will host the event, and you can expect to see news from games like Space Marine 2, Darktide, Rogue Trader, Dark Heresy, Boltgun 2, Warhammer Survivors, Dawn of War IV, and more. When to watch: May 21 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET Where to watch: YouTube Twitch Six One Indie Showcase -- May 21 Another one of the big livestreams for independent developers, the Six One Indie Showcase will be headlined by world premieres, digital showcase debuts, and exclusive news from studios all over the globe. When to watch: May 21 (Time TBC) Where to watch: YouTube Summer Game Fest - June 5 Summer Game Fest 2026 will kick off this year from the Dolby Theatre, and showrunner Geoff Keighley has promised a "spectacular, cross-platform showcase of what's next in video games." When to watch: June 5 Where to watch: YouTube Twitch Story Rich Showcase -- June 5-7 A brand-new video event dedicated entirely to story-rich indie games, the Story-Rich Showcase will take place within the Summer Game Fest period. The event will spotlight a lineup of 20-25 narrative-driven games, and viewers can expect first looks, new trailers, release dates, updates, and a few surprises. When to watch: June 5-7 Where to watch: TBC Wholesome Direct 2026 -- June 6 The Summer games showcase season wouldn't feel right without some cozy warmth, and that's where the Wholesome Direct steps in. The showcase for uplifting, joyful, and hopeful games, this year's livestream will feature a curated selection of over 50 games, including world premieres, demo announcements, and more. When to watch: June 6 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET Where to Watch: YouTube Twitch Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2026 - June 6 Featuring world premieres, exclusive trailers, and stealth demo drops , this year's Future Games Show Summer Showcase will be followed by a live event in Los Angeles. When to watch: June 6 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET Where to watch: YouTube PC Gaming Show 2026 - June 6 Back for another year, the PC Gaming Show will offer new looks at over 50 PC games, including world premieres, exclusive announcements, developer interviews, and updates. When to watch: June 7 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET Where to watch: YouTube Xbox Games Showcase -- June 7 The annual Xbox Games Showcase is almost here, and this year is shaping up to be a big one for Microsoft's gaming division. Coming in hot after the launch of Forza Horizon 6, this year's Xbox Games Showcase will feature first gameplay looks and news on games from first-party studios, several reveals from third-party partners, and it'll be followed immediately by a deep dive into Gears of War: E-Day. When to watch: June 7 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET Where to Watch: YouTube Twitch The Game Awards 2026 -- December 10 Geoff Keighley has announced the date for The Game Awards 2026 almost an entire year in advance, and it'll be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. More details will be revealed later this year. When to watch: December 10 Where to watch: YouTube Twitch In case you missed it With so many video game showcases scheduled for 2026, there's a chance that you might miss one. Fret not, because we'll be keeping track of them, and you can keep browsing below to grab links to the original livestream and the stories we wrote about them. We've arranged the list according to the date that each event originally aired. Resident Evil Showcase -- January 15 Capcom showed off more gameplay for Resident Evil Requiem, teasing thrilling survival-horror and action, creepy zombies, and one really big revolver. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Resident Evil Requiem Showcase Reveals Grace And Leon Gameplay Differences Xbox Developer Direct -- January 22 The first big Xbox showcase of the year kept things short and sweet, focusing on games like Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Kiln, and Beast of Reincarnation. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Xbox Developer Direct 2026: All the announcements Forza Horizon 6 Channels Initial D-Inspired Anime Racing With Its New Mode Fable And Forza Horizon 6 Are Coming To PS5 To Help Reach The "Largest Number Of People Possible" Forza Horizon 6 Gets Official May Release Date, More Than 550 Cars Fable's New Open World Has 1,000+ NPCs As A "Living Population" New Fable Keeps Series Tradition Of Kicking Chickens Alive, And You'll Be Judged For It Fable Is Pulling Inspiration From An Unlikely (And Extremely Popular) TV Show Fable Releases This Autumn, Coming To PS5 At Launch Game Freak's Beast Of Reincarnation Team Is "Relatively Small" With Many External Developers Beast Of Reincarnation Doesn't Look Like Anything Game Freak Has Made Before Double Fine's New Game, Kiln, Features Pottery Battles To The Death World of Warcraft: State of Azeroth -- January 29 The State of Azeroth livestream revealed what's next for World of Warcraft and Classic World of Warcraft, introduced Azeroth interiors for budding home decorators, and teased the launch of Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: What to expect from World of Warcraft in 2026 Nintendo Direct: Tomodachi Life -- January 29 One of the weirdest games coming out this year, Tomodachi Life is shaping up to be an interesting social-life sim. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Lets You Have A Love Square With A Clown Because Why Not? Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Adds Same-Sex Relationships And Non-Binary Miis Nintendo Places Image-Sharing Restrictions On "Certain" Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Features Overwatch Spotlight -- February 4 A new era of Overwatch is upon us, as Blizzard is introducing some massive changes to the game. From dropping the "2" from its title to introducing several new heroes, Blizzard's popular hero shooter is being changed on a fundamental level as the company aims to transform it into a "Forever Game". Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Overwatch Is Dropping The 2 And Launching A New "Story-Driven Era" Overwatch Is Finally Getting A Cat Hero, A Decade After Inception Overwatch Is About To Reach Peak Cute With Sanrio Hello Kitty Collab Overwatch Director Says Upcoming Changes Will Upset The Game's Balance: "There's No Getting Around That" Yes, Overwatch Characters Have Been Getting Sexier, But Not For The Obvious Reason Overwatch Is Getting Five New Characters, Here's A First Look At What They Do Overwatch Kills Its First Character, But That Won't Stop You From Playing As Them Goodbye Overwatch 2, Hello Overwatch: The Story-Driven, "Forever Game" Blizzard Promised Is Finally Here Overwatch Team Is "Not Comfortable" Releasing AI-Generated Content, But Blizzard Is Open To Experimenting Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase -- February 5 Nintendo's third-party partners were in the spotlight during a livestream dedicated to upcoming Switch and Switch 2 games. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hits Switch 2 This June This Dinosaur Stealth Game On Switch 2 Lets Four Players Share Controls, For Whatever Reason A New Paranormasight Game Is Coming And I'm Begging You Not To Sleep On It Again This Game Looks Like If Split Fiction Were An 80s Anime And We’re Obsessed Hearthstone Spotlight -- February 9 Another developer-led showcase, Blizzard revealed that Hearthstone will celebrate its 12th year with a new Core Set and a new expansion based on one of World of Warcraft's most iconic events. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: Hearthstone's Next Expansion Cataclysm Coming March 17, Imagines If Deathwing Won Hearthstone Isn't Getting A Physical Trading Card Game Anytime Soon, Here's Why Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight -- February 11 The Diablo franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and Blizzard revealed some big updates for current games in the franchise like Diablo 2, Diablo 4, and Diablo Immortal. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred Puts Badass Amazons Front And Center If You Thought Diablo 4 Didn't Have Enough Skill Trees, You're In Luck Warlock Is Diablo's Newest Class, And It's Coming To (Almost) Every Diablo Game Diablo 4's Next Location Won't Be "Grotesque, Destroyed, And Ruined," And Its Devs Appreciate The Break How A Diablo 2 Game Manual Found New Purpose In Diablo 4's Latest Expansion Major Diablo 2 DLC Adds Features Fans Have Waited Decades For--But It'll Cost You PlayStation State of Play -- February 12 The first State of Play from Sony kicked with an impressive hour-long presentation. Alongside Konami announcing the first new Castlevania game in many years and a port of Metal Gear Sold 4, the show also featured a first look at Ghost of Yotei's new multiplayer mode, the confirmation of a PC port for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and much more. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: PlayStation State Of Play February 2026: All The Biggest Announcements And Games PlayStation Is Bringing Back An Unexpected Series With A New, Zelda-Like Spin Ghost of Yotei Becomes Legendary With New Multiplayer DLC Coming In March Death Stranding 2 PC Port Releases In March 4 Loop Has A Giant Rubik’s Cube Boss And Alien Berries That Teleport Enemies Here’s A First Look At Resident Evil Requiem’s Raccoon City Police Department Decades After RE2 New Legacy Of Kain Game Revealed, And It’s Out Next Month A New Dead Or Alive Game Is In The Works Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Includes Five Versions Of Game, Interactive Documentary Metal Gear Solid 4 And Peace Walker Coming As Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 New Castlevania Game Is Coming From The Dead Cells And Rogue Prince Of Persia Devs Silent Hill: Townfall Shifts First-Person Survival To New Town John Wick Is Getting A 3D Action Game, Lets You Murder Gangsters With Household Objects Marathon Open Beta Announced, Coming Very Soon With Special Perks For PS Plus Members New PlayStation Plus Games Revealed, Including Day-One Release For All Subscribers Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Is Building A Packed Roster, New Trailer Shows God Of War Trilogy Remake Announced, Brings Back Original Voice Actor Sony Reveals New God Of War Sidescroller, And It’s Out Right Now Silent Hill Transmission -- February 12 Konami's Silent Hill Transmission livestream wasn't too long, but it did reveal that the next game is expanding into first-person survival horror. Set in the Scottish seaside town of St. Amelia, protagonist Simon Ordell will have to use a handheld portable TV to detect the monsters around him. The game is being developed by Scottish team Screen Burn, who previously produced Stories Untold and Observation. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Silent Hill: Townfall Shifts First-Person Survival Horror To New Town Convergence Showcase -- February 19 A two-hour show hosted by indie-focused streamers Dodger and Jesse Cox, the Convergence Showcase featured dozens of indie and AA games. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch Black Voices in Gaming Showcase -- February 19 An event that aims to address the lack of visibility for Black creators, the Black Voices in Gaming Showcase showed off games at various stages of development--from early concepts to near-launch titles--and also celebrated creativity, culture, and innovation in games. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: The Biggest Games From February's Black Voices In Gaming Showcase Indie Fan Fest -- February 19 The second Indie Fan Fest presented new game reveals, world premiere trailers, and more for unreleased games. Even better, several of these games now have demos that you can check out Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: Suddenly, There Are 14 New Games You Can Try For Free Pokemon Presents -- February 27 While this year's Pokemon Day livestream mostly focused on mobile games, it did end with a bang as we got our first look at Pokemon Winds and Waves. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: GameCube's Pokemon XD: Gale Of Darkness Will Appear On Switch 2 Soon Pokemon Winds And Waves, The 10th Generation Of Pokemon, Officially Revealed The Wait For Pokemon Winds And Waves Will Be The Franchise's Longest Yet Those Pikachus In The Pokemon Winds And Waves Trailer Are More Important Than You Think Nintendo Indie World Showcase -- March 3 Like previous broadcasts, the March 2026 Indie World Showcase was dedicated to all the indie games headed to Switch consoles soon. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Nintendo Indie World March 2026 Showcase: All The Biggest Announcements Capcom Spotlight -- March 5 Hot off the success of Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom kept the momentum going with a closer look at Pragmata, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and several more upcoming games. Where to watch: YouTube Future Games Show: Spring Showcase -- March 12 The first of three Future Games Show events planned for 2026, the Future Games Show Spring Showcase offered exclusive trailers and developer deep-dives on a wide range of video games. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch Xbox Partner Preview - March 26 The Xbox Partner Preview lifted the lid on what several publishers like Sega, GSC Game World, and Owlcat Games have been cooking up lately, and there were also a few new Xbox Game Pass announcements to spice things up during the broadcast. Where to watch: YouTube Twitch All the news: Xbox Partner Preview 2026: All The Big Announcements Triple-I Initiative - April 9 The Triple-I Initiative returned for its third year, dropping dozens of new game reveals across its 45-minute runtime. Big highlights for this year included fresh looks at games like Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse and Dead as Disco. Where to watch: YouTube All the news: Triple-I Initiative Showcase 2026: Castlevania, Dead As Disco, And Every Game Shown Galaxies Spring Showcase 2026 - April 16 With a rock-solid hour of announcements and world premieres, the Galaxies Spring 2026 Showcase was a fun livestream featuring dozens of indie games. Highlights included a new gameplay breakdown on Directive 8020, a first look at ReVamp from the developers of Moonlighter, and the announcement of a crossover between Alan Wake 2 and Phasmophobia. Where to watch: YouTube

The Xbox team is continuing its mission to win back fans by implementing some tiny but noteworthy additions and improvements to the Xbox Series X|S interface--and some in the Xbox Insider program can check them out starting today. Last week, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared the console's new bootup animation , which select Xbox Insiders can now witness for themselves at startup. The animation emphasizes the Xbox signature color of green a lot more, though the sound is similar to what users are accustomed to. Enthusiastic achievement hunters might enjoy some new vanity badges that will show up on their profile and the Xbox Guide. These are tiered badges that "evolve" as your Gamerscore increases. These come after Xbox Achievements got a visual refresh through updated icons and animations. Continue Reading at GameSpot

It turns out that Fortnite 's long-rumored collaboration with Overwatch is real after all, and four characters from Blizzard's hero shooter will pop up in the Fortnite item shop on the morning of Thursday, May 14. Fortnite will go offline on Wednesday night for an update, and the Overwatch gang should be in the shop when the game comes back online. The main thrust of the collab will be new gameplay items and the Sandy Strip on the Battle Royale map will apparently be getting a new themed area . We don't have a lot of specific details about the gameplay part of the collab just yet, though you can try to glean some info from the cinematic teaser above if you like. What we do know is that the collab will include four player skins based on Overwatch characters--specifically Tracer, D.Va, Genji, and Mercy--as well as a set of accessories, which includes several emotes and a glider. The whole set will be sold as individual items and in a single large bundle. We don't know any prices yet, but judging by how much stuff it'll come with, it's possible this will be the most expensive Fortnite bundle ever. The current record-holder is the Solo Leveling bundle, which cost 4,500 for three skins and their accessories. Continue Reading at GameSpot