Microsoft promises 'tons of gameplay' in June 11 Starfield deep-dive

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

Microsoft has announced that the next Xbox Games Showcase will begin at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on June 11, and will be followed immediately by the much-anticipated Starfield Direct, "a deep-dive into Bethesda Game Studios’ highly anticipated sci-fi RPG."

It is true that we already knew that the Xbox livestream and Starfield Direct were set for June 11: Microsoft said so back in March, when it announced the currently-still-holding September 6 release date. Microsoft and Bethesda had previously opted to exclude Starfield from a January 6 Developer Direct livestream, saying it wanted to do a standalone show "to dedicate the proper amount of time for a deep dive" into it.

Spoiler Alert: we'll be talking about games Tune into the Xbox Games Showcase followed by Starfield Direct on Sunday, June 11 @ 10am PT: https://t.co/3mhkAsswII | #Starfield #XboxShowcase pic.twitter.com/4uFHPmqLyKMay 3, 2023

What we did not have, until now, is the timing. An exact kickoff time for Starfield Direct (which is no doubt the priority for some viewers) wasn't announced, which isn't terribly surprising given that it's basically one continuous show anyway.

It sounds like this will be a pretty big deal for eager Starfield followers: Microsoft said the stream "will invite you inside Bethesda Game Studios to learn much, much more about Starfield, with tons of new gameplay, developer interviews, and behind-the-scenes insider information."

Here's where you can watch:

And if you're not sure what 10 am PT works out to in your local time zone, here's a very useful converter to help nail it down.

Microsoft also confirmed today that a follow-up Xbox Games Showcase Extended stream will run on June 13, also beginning at 10 am PT/1 pm ET, and that online and in-person FanFest events are returning this year as well—more information on those, including registration links, is up at xbox.com.

And don't forget, June 11 will also see the return of the PC Gaming Show, which will see the return of Sean "Day9" Plott as host of the showcase dedicated to our particular platform of choice. The PC Gaming Show will follow Starfield Direct—an exact start time will be announced soon.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.