What you need to know
- Rumors are swirling that the upcoming Xbox exclusive Raidfall is launching in May, 2023.
- Our sources confirm those reports, suggesting the first week of May next year.
- If things go according to plan, the game may even have some kind of early access period.
Raidfall is an upcoming Xbox exclusive from Arkane Studios, creators of Deathloop, Prey and Dishonored. Microsoft acquired the studio a few years back with its big ZeniMax Media acquisition, and Redfall represents the first full Xbox console exclusive from the acquisition.
Redfall will join Starfield as part of Microsoft’s larger Xbox and PC gaming console line-up in 2023, with Microsoft already confirming that Redfall is gunning for the first half of 2023. According to reports and our own sourcing (which I confirmed on my XB2+ 1 Xbox podcast this past Tuesday), Redfall is targeting an early May 2023 release window — the first week of May to be exact.
The rumors started with Okami13, who claimed that Redfall would be targeting an early May release. Our own sourcing confirmed reports last week that Microsoft’s internal targets were focusing on an early May launch for the game, complete with some form of early access period similar to Forza Horizon 5. Forza Horizon 5 sported a “Premium Edition” that granted a few days of early access to the game, and if things go according to plan, Redfall will get the same treatment.
Redfall is an open-world action game where up to four friends can help free a eponymous island town of an evil vampire infestation in drop-in co-op. Various creative weapons, combat abilities and optional stealth gameplay await potential vampire hunters. The developer emphasizes that the solo “immersive sim” gameplay that the studio is known for is still an option for those who want a more traditional Arkane experience.
If things go according to plan, Arkane will be released on Xbox Series X in 2023. A must-see in early May on both the S console and PC platforms. The game will hit the Microsoft Store and Steam, and drop in on Xbox Game Pass on the first day for good measure.
After the relative drought of first-party content we’ve seen through 2022, Redfall will hopefully contribute to what should be a great year for Microsoft and new Xbox games.