We discuss the XCOM 3 release date window, leaks, if the game is being worked on, possible gameplay and more.
Published on October 11th, 2022
While you don’t have to channel the Ancient Aliens meme, the future of the beloved XCOM franchise is a bit murky. Saying that the developer has confirmed it has not been forgotten. Fans of the turn-based strategy title might be looking for answers to questions such as when XCOM 3 will get released.
No, we aren’t counting the XCOM: Chimera Squad spinoff, and instead, we look toward a new mainline entry.
In this article, we share everything we know about XCOM 3, from if the game is being worked on right now to any possible leaks, what the gameplay could look like, and the release date window.
XCOM 3 Release Date
At the time of writing, there is no exact release date for XCOM 3. The game has not even been announced yet, leaving us to look to the skies for answers.
Instead of stargazing, let’s just take a quick look at the XCOM franchise’s release dates.
| Game Title | Release Month |
| X-COM: UFO Defense | March 1994 |
| X-COM: Terror from the Deep | June 1995 |
| X-COM: Apocalypse | July 1997 |
| X-COM: Interceptor | June 1998 |
| X-COM: First Alien Invasion | September 1999 |
| X-COM: Enforcer | April 2001 |
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown | October 2012 |
| The Bureau: XCOM Declassified | August 2013 |
| XCOM 2 | February 2016 |
| XCOM: Chimera Squad | April 2020 |
It is crucial to remember that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a reboot of the old X-COM series from MicroProse, as Firaxis Games became the leading developer and 2K Games the publisher.
To this end, we can see a gap of over four years for the two modern mainline XCOM games. This doesn’t give us much indication of a potential XCOM 3 release date, as it has already been well over six years since the release of XCOM 2.
Our best guesstimate is that XCOM 3 won’t release until late 2024 or 2025, especially if Civilization 7 turns out to be Firaxis’ next main focus following the release of Marvel’s Midnight Suns in December 2022.
XCOM 3 Leaks & News
In June 2022, during the Summer Games Fest, Firaxis project leader, Garth DeAngelis, confirmed in an interview with PCGamesN that there is “absolutely” a future for XCOM.
While speaking about Marvel’s Midnight Suns development, DeAngelis noted: “We are enormous fans of XCOM. We love it. There’s absolutely a future for it. But this was just an opportunity that’s too good to pass up.”
This confirms that there will be more XCOM games in the future.
Check out the excellent video from YouTuber Sethorven below discussing the future of the XCOM franchise and their wishlist.
Interestingly, development on XCOM 3 might have already started. In September 2021, a massive NVIDIA GeForce Now database leak seemingly revealed a bunch of unannounced titles, including XCOM 3, as reported by WCCFTech.
The publication then reached out to NVIDIA and received the following comment: “NVIDIA is aware of an unauthorized published game list, with both released and/or speculative titles, used only for internal tracking and testing. Inclusion on the list is neither confirmation nor an announcement of any game.
“NVIDIA took immediate action to remove access to the list. No confidential game builds or personal information were exposed.”
It is unclear if XCOM 3 was a speculative title or not. However, if it wasn’t, XCOM 3 could already be in an early stage of development.
XCOM 3 Gameplay Details
Unlike some spinoffs, XCOM 3’s gameplay should be in the turned-based tactical strategy genre, without a doubt.
At the time of writing, no official XCOM 3 gameplay details have been revealed. However, we can speculate that the Breach feature from Chimera Squad should be included.
Permadeath for squad members should also return in XCOM 3 as a staple that makes your decisions even more impactful.
Check out another great video from YouTuber RedTieGuy discussing the aforementioned GeForce Now leak and XCOM.
![XCOM 3 Speculation | Geforce NOW Release Discussion [2021]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rvp2P3OYY2U/hqdefault.jpg)
We will endeavor to update this article once any official new information or credible leaks about XCOM 3’s release date and gameplay become available.
Don’t forget to check out our section dedicated to future XCOM 3 guides, news, strategies, and more.
Featured image courtesy of Firaxis.
Written by Wessel Minnie
As the Acting Senior Editor at GINX, Wessel scouts out the latest content for our readers. When not working, he watches esports tournaments, dies repeatedly in Soulsborne titles, and contemplates spending another 100 hours in Stardew Valley.