Microsoft bringing Xbox One X, Age of Empires to Gamescom 2017

Microsoft’s plans for Gamescom include the expected heavy focus on the Xbox One X, as well as a celebration of Age of Empires’ 20th anniversary, the company announced today.

Gamescom itself doesn’t open its doors until Tuesday, Aug. 22, but Microsoft is kicking things off on Sunday the 20th. Starting at noon PDT (9 p.m. local time in Germany), the company will broadcast a live show with “news and announcements on Xbox One X.”

It doesn’t sound like this will be a typical E3-style theater event, but an online-only streaming show instead. Expect developer interviews and live demos from hosts Graeme Boyd of Xbox U.K. and Maxi Graeff of Xbox Germany. We’ve asked Microsoft for further details, and we’ll update this article with any information we receive.

The next day, Aug. 21, Microsoft will run another livestream at the same time, noon PDT, for the Age of Empires franchise. The original Age of Empires launched 20 years ago this October, and at E3 last month, Microsoft announced that it is remastering the game as Age of Empires: Definitive Edition for Windows PC. During the livestream, Microsoft will show off the Definitive Edition for the first time, and the show will also feature developers who have worked on the franchise over the years.

Age of Empires fans will be able to attend the livestream in person. For people who are general Xbox fans, Microsoft is doing its usual FanFest at Gamescom starting Aug. 22. Once the show floor opens to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 23, Gamescom attendees will be able to play “a wide collection of the games coming to Xbox over the next 12 months” on the Xbox One X.