The First Look Xbox Series X Gameplay stream today disappointed many by its complete lack of gameplay on the Xbox Series X.
Whether it’s due to current events, or bad marketing, Sony and Microsoft have had issues generating hype for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The First Look Xbox Series X Gameplay stream was the latest fumble in the run-up to the release of next-gen consoles. It seemed like Microsoft was taking the initiative when the stream was announced, and that we’d finally be seeing a host of gameplay reveals for Xbox Series X, including the first look at Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in action. However, what we got was massively underwhelming.
The big issue with the stream came from the framing. As the title suggests, it was touted as the first look at Xbox Series X gameplay from third-party studios. You’d think with the purpose of the stream spelled out that clearly, we’d have seen some gameplay. When I see the word “gameplay,” I think in-game, full HUD, playing on the actual console. Well, today’s stream didn’t meet any of those qualifiers.
Instead of seeing an actual first look of gameplay on the Xbox Series X, we saw a host of in-engine, scripted, cinematic trailers. Each of these was accompanied by a disclaimer stating, “Game and console in development; footage representative of expected Xbox Series X gameplay.” So, we didn’t get to see any actual gameplay, and the in-engine footage we saw is from either dev kits, or more likely, PC builds.
Breaking it down, the entirety of the title for the First Look Xbox Series X Gameplay stream is disingenuous.
