Microsoft has announced a new Xbox Partner Preview showcase for this Thursday, March 26, and it is shaping up to be one of the more stacked third-party gaming events of the year so far. The broadcast will feature new game reveals, world premieres, and Xbox Game Pass announcements from partners including Sega, GSC Game World, and Owlcat Games.
The latest instalment will include news on upcoming games from partners including Sega, GSC Game World and Owlcat Games, plus brand-new reveals, world premieres and Xbox Game Pass announcements.
Start Time and How to Watch
Microsoft has announced the Xbox Partner Preview March 2026, which will premiere on March 26 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT. The broadcast is also at 5 PM UK time and 10:30 PM IST.
You can watch on YouTube.com/Xbox, Twitch, and the official Xbox social channels. The YouTube stream runs at 4K 60fps, while all other platforms broadcast at 1080p 60fps. Subtitles will be available in multiple languages, and an ASL version of the broadcast will also be provided.
Every Game Confirmed So Far
Stranger Than Heaven
Stranger Than Heaven is an ambitious and stylish new third-person action game from SEGA’s famed Ryu Ga Gotoku studio, the team behind the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. Xbox describes the segment as an in-depth look rather than just a teaser, suggesting a significant amount of gameplay will be shown. For fans of the studio’s work on Like a Dragon: Ishin and the mainline Like a Dragon RPGs, this is the headline attraction of the event.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Update
Originally released back in November 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and then ported to PS5 exactly one year later, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person survival horror game set in a post-apocalyptic version of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Though some severe technical issues significantly impacted its reception among critics and fans at launch, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has come a long way in the last few years thanks to plenty of post-launch support. It seems developer GSC Game World is not done supporting its game, with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 set to receive an update during the Xbox Partner Preview.
See Also: Apple Has Officially Confirmed WWDC 2026 for June 8 to 12
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
Owlcat Games will show off The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, an action-RPG set in the universe created by author James S.A. Corey. Announced during the June 2025 Future Games Expo, Osiris Reborn draws on the same rich sci-fi setting as the television adaptation and the novel series, placing players in a politically charged solar system where Earth, Mars, and the Belt are in constant tension. For fans of Mass Effect-style sci-fi RPGs, this is the game to track.
Minecraft Dungeons II on Game Pass Day One
Minecraft Dungeons II is officially coming to Xbox Game Pass Day One this fall, which means subscribers will not spend an extra dollar to play it at launch. This was confirmed separately at Minecraft Live on March 21 and will likely feature briefly in the Partner Preview to tie the announcement into the Xbox ecosystem showcase.
What Else to Expect
Xbox Partner Preview showcases typically have multiple short game-focused segments as opposed to one long drawn-out presentation. Based on the pattern of previous Partner Preview events, expect between six and ten game segments in total, with the confirmed titles taking the longer slots and surprise reveals filling the gaps.
Microsoft has announced that their next upcoming Xbox Partner Preview will digitally take place on March 26, 2026. This is the first Partner Preview under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, following the retirement of long-time CEO Phil Spencer and the resignation of former President Sarah Bond. That leadership change makes Thursday’s showcase a subtle statement of direction for the new Xbox leadership, even if it is primarily a third-party games event.
Xbox Wire will publish additional behind-the-scenes stories and deep dives on select featured titles during and after the broadcast.
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