GDC 2026 | Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase
The 2026 Game Developers Conference presented a number of opportunities for developers and publishers to showcase their work within their respective ecosystems. One such event was the Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase, a private event hosted by Microsoft. It gave developers a chance to present their upcoming titles to the media. It also offered a firsthand look at how Microsoft is promoting and supporting the Xbox ecosystem.
Each studio had a dedicated station staffed by developers and PR representatives who were available to answer questions. This is a look at some of the games I got to demo during the Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase at GDC 2026.
Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase
Mongil: Star Dive is an action RPG that follows in the footsteps of Genshin Impact and Granblue Fantasy. Players explore the world of Belana, where monsters, humans, and demihumans coexist. During my playthrough, I took on a handful of smaller tasks that had my party defeat a main monster before moving into a boss fight. Before each mission, I selected my party, usually sticking with Ophelia and Esther while picking a third character at random, then set out on my adventure. The combat was fast paced and relied on three different attacks, along with a few special moves triggered by the player’s actions and the attack gauge.
Hit-Em-Up Highrise is a beat-’em-up that pays homage to classic games and action movies from the late ’80s to the mid ’90s. In what can best be described as Die Hard meets The Running Man, players take on the role of a convict who enters a game show to win their freedom. To do so, they must fight their way to the top of a high-rise populated by criminals, killers, and corrupt guards. However, it’s not an easy task and failure means they have to start from the beginning.
Playing Invincible Vs
Invincible Vs was the most popular game at the event, and the table where it was being shown stayed packed. When the doors opened, a good number of media attendees had already gathered around the table to get a feel for the game. Some had also already set up their equipment to record their session. I decided to wait until the area cleared up before giving the game a playthrough.
Based on the hit comic series, Invincible Vs is a fighting game that lets players choose three characters from a roster of 18. Seventeen are drawn from the series, while one is an original character made exclusively for the game. With help from the development team, I selected my characters and a stage for my playthrough. The first match gave me a chance to better learn the combat and gameplay mechanics. The second match was a proper playthrough that gave me a better feel for the action.
My overall impression of the game is that it’s a fun fighting game, regardless of how much Invincible you have read or watched. The gore and finishing moves are on par with classic Mortal Kombat, combat was smooth, while swapping between characters in the heat of battle feels easy.
Asha Sharma and Phil Spence Visit
In a surprise appearance, Asha Sharma and Phil Spencer stopped by the Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase. The visit gave Sharma a chance to meet members of the gaming media and learn more about the Xbox development and player community. At the same time, it gave the community a chance to meet her in person and get to know her better. Meanwhile, we all thanked Spencer for his many years at Xbox while wishing him the best on his next endeavor.
This article is part of our coverage of the 2026 Game Developers Conference. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Disclaimer: GDC provided 8Bit/Digi with press passes for the event.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Posted on 3 days ago
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By Stan Rezaee
Events
Posted in Events, Preview Tagged #GDC, Invincible, Xbox
Stan Rezaee
Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
