According to Wccftech, Microsoft is hosting an Xbox Partner Preview this Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BT. The showcase will feature upcoming games from third-party partners including IO Interactive’s 007 First Light and Tarsier Studios’ Reanimal. Both titles are currently targeting 2026 releases, with Reanimal still lacking a specific launch date. The event will be streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok, though Microsoft hasn’t revealed the exact runtime. Additional partners confirmed include Tencent and THQ Nordic, with promises of brand-new reveals and Game Pass announcements. The focus appears to be squarely on games arriving in the first half of 2026 rather than imminent 2025 releases.
Why this timing matters
Here’s the thing – this is actually pretty smart timing from Xbox. With The Game Awards 2025 nominees just being announced, there’s already heightened gaming industry attention. But instead of getting lost in that noise, they’re carving out their own space. This Partner Preview basically serves as a mid-cycle update between major events. It keeps the conversation going without requiring a full-blown showcase. And honestly? The gaming calendar for early 2026 is looking pretty sparse right now, so this could help build some momentum.
What we’re actually going to see
Both 007 First Light and Reanimal have been in that awkward “we know they exist but haven’t seen much” phase. IO Interactive’s Bond game has generated serious hype since announcement, but details have been scarce. Reanimal from Tarsier Studios (the folks behind Little Nightmares) has been even more mysterious. This preview should finally give us proper gameplay and maybe even release windows beyond just “2026.” The mention of Tides of Annihilation is particularly interesting – that game basically disappeared after its initial reveal. Could this be its comeback moment?
The Game Pass wildcard
Microsoft specifically teased Game Pass announcements, which is where things get really interesting. Will we see day-one Game Pass launches for any of these third-party titles? That’s been Xbox’s secret weapon for years now. For smaller developers, getting their game on Game Pass can be transformative. It guarantees visibility and player engagement from day one. The real question is whether any of these reveals will be surprise “available right after the show” moments. Probably not, given the 2026 focus, but you never know.
Where this fits in Xbox’s strategy
Look, Xbox has been leaning hard into these Partner Previews lately. They’re quicker to produce than massive showcases, they keep the content pipeline flowing, and they reinforce that Xbox isn’t just about first-party games. In an era where platform exclusives are becoming less… exclusive, these third-party relationships matter more than ever. This approach lets them highlight upcoming content without the pressure of having to deliver massive first-party news every time. Basically, it’s a low-risk, high-reward way to stay relevant between their bigger events.
