The First Big Game Showcase of 2026 Is Happening Next Week (And No One Knows What to Expect)

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January is usually a quiet month for video game news and releases. However, a brand new event called NewGame+ Showcase is hoping to change that in 2026. Their first show is scheduled for January 8th, and gamers are curious to see what announcements it will bring.

I was really surprised when I saw the New Game+ Showcase had a first post! They supposedly launched their X account way back in June 2025, but the first thing they actually posted was on December 29th. And it was a big announcement – they’re doing a totally new kind of games showcase on January 8th, 2026! That puts it ahead of the Xbox Developer Direct on January 18th, so it could be the first big gaming event of the year. Honestly, I’m excited, but we’ll have to see what New Game+ actually shows off to know for sure.

2026 Begins with the First-Ever New Game+ Showcase

Since this is the first New Game+ showcase, it’s hard to say for sure what it will be like. Established events like Nintendo Direct, PlayStation Direct, and Summer Game Fest usually follow a familiar format – we know roughly what to expect, even if they have some surprises. But as this is New Game+’s debut, it’s a bit of an unknown.

New Game+ announced on X that their upcoming showcase will feature 45 games. They emphasize that the event is driven by the creators themselves, with no sponsored content – just authentic enthusiasm and discussion. The showcase promises exclusive gameplay footage and interviews. While a complete list of games and developers hasn’t been released, some have confirmed their participation by sharing the original announcement. The creators involved were revealed on December 31st.

Meet the team who carefully selected the games for this year’s New Game+ Showcase: Luke Stephens, Luality, RobTV, BlueThunder, HUN2R, and JakeSucky!

Join us on January 8th at 1 PM Pacific Time / 4 PM Eastern Time.

— New Game Plus (@NewGameShowcase) December 31, 2025

The upcoming showcase will star Luke Stephens, Luality, IAmRob, Blue Thunder, Hun2r, and Jake Lucky. These popular gaming streamers from Twitch and YouTube all have significant followings, and they’re expected to be the main hosts when the showcase airs on January 8th at 4 PM Eastern Time.

What to Expect from The 2026 New Game+ Showcase

The showcase seems to be aiming for a lively, conversational vibe, more like watching a live reaction stream than a formal event like The Game Awards. However, with 45 games to cover, it will either be a very long presentation, or the discussions will likely center around a smaller number of major titles.

The biggest question is what games will be featured. The event’s social media has promised a variety of titles, ranging from small independent games to major AAA releases, all hand-picked by the showcase team. So far, Paradark Studio has confirmed their new game, ExeKiller, will be shown, and Distant Shore will be presenting Distant Shore: BETAGNE. The official New Game+ account has also strongly suggested we’ll get a look at Crimson Desert. We’ll find out the full lineup – a total of 45 games – when the event begins.

Initial reactions to the announcement have been a blend of enthusiasm and hesitation. Gamers are holding off on forming strong opinions about New Game+ until they see what’s revealed in the first showcase. The showcase team has hinted at a diverse selection of games, ranging from small independent titles to major AAA releases.

Join us for the New Game+ Showcase on January 8th at 4 PM Eastern Time! You can watch it on YouTube and Twitch. Let us know if you’ll be watching by leaving a comment, and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/comicbooks-10-most-anticipated-games-of-2026/embed/#

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2026-01-03 21:11