Xbox is preparing a secret announcement at gamescom 2026: insiders promise a very unexpected sequel
Information current as of August 18, 2026.
A week before the start of gamescom 2026, Microsoft had a leak that excited the entire gaming community: two authoritative insiders immediately reported that Xbox would bring a secret announcement to Cologne - a new game based on one of its franchises that no one was expecting. Let's look at what is known and what versions fans are discussing.
What did insiders say?
A well-known insider spoke first NateTheHate: According to him, Microsoft is preparing to announce a game based on one of its franchises. The publisher will be Microsoft itself, but the development is carried out by the studio, not part of Xbox Game Studios — that is, the project was entrusted to a third-party team. When asked whether this will be a revival of an old series or a continuation of something recent, the insider answered unequivocally: this is a sequel.
The information was confirmed by a Windows Central journalist Jez Corden, traditionally well informed about Xbox's plans. According to him, we are talking about a “very unexpected sequel,” and the announcement itself could take place either at the Xbox Broadcast show or at Geoff Keeley’s Opening Night Live. Corden added that Microsoft has prepared several real announcements for gamescom at once - usually the company saved them for the summer Xbox Showcase, but in the year of the brand’s 25th anniversary, it seems that it decided to surprise.
What this is definitely NOT
NateTheHate immediately cut off the most popular guesses from fans. A secret project is not:
- new Banjo-Kazooie;
- The Elder Scrolls VI;
- Wolfenstein 3;
- Blade by Arkane;
- mystical horror O.D. Hideo Kojima;
- remasters Fallout;
- shooter StarCraft.
Main versions of fans
The most popular theory in the community is third part of Ori. The Metroidvania series from Moon Studios has not received a sequel for a long time; the studio is not formally part of Xbox Game Studios, and a continuation of Ori would indeed be a “very unexpected” announcement. The insider additionally mentioned that he was interested not so much in the series itself, but in the chosen developer - he was curious how this studio would approach the franchise.
Second hot version - Halo. For several months now, there have been persistent rumors that Microsoft is transferring the development of the series to third-party studios, including teams from the Activision orbit. Halo: Campaign Evolved was released in July to mixed reviews, and the announcement of a new big project in the universe fits well into the year of the 25th anniversary of Xbox. NateTheHate himself hinted that the genre of the game may give it away ahead of time - so the intrigue may well be revealed before gamescom.
What Xbox has already confirmed for gamescom 2026
Even without the secret project, the Microsoft program in Cologne looks powerful. They will show at the exhibition Fable by Playground Games (extended gameplay demo), Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. A separate Xbox Broadcast will take place on August 26 at 17:00 Moscow time and will be timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the brand - Xbox itself will celebrate its anniversary on November 15.
Let's recall the schedule of the main events of the week: Opening Night Live starts on August 25 at 21:00 Moscow time, Xbox Broadcast - on August 26 at 17:00 Moscow time, and gamescom 2026 itself will be held in Cologne from August 26 to 30. If insiders are right, the “very unexpected sequel” will be shown on one of these two shows.
Read also: Gamescom 2026: show schedule and main announcements, GTA 6: everything we know about the release on November 19, 2026.
Sources: iXBT.games, Beebom, Instant Gaming News.