With E3 and all other in-person events effectively cancelled for 2020 and switching to digital showcases, Microsoft is looking to bring Summer Games Fest to the Xbox One with a 'Demo Event' to run from the week of July 21 to July 27. And the clue is in the naming, free playable demos for upcoming releases to check out from the comfort of your home.

With over 60-game demos planned (and it would take quite the effort to play each and every one), Microsoft notes that due to the early nature of these titles they will not be your traditional 'game demos' - that is a near-final preview build of an impending release.

With Glenn Gregory, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at ID@Xbox saying, "These are not normal 'game demos.' Typically, the demos you see in our Demo channel are created after the game is completed (or nearly completed) and represent the final version. Many of these demos are early, and some are for games that won’t be out for quite some time."

Adding that this is new ground for the company and that players should treat the experience as if they were exploring the show-floor at an expo. Glenn also says that as plans are finalised we could see anywhere between 75-100 games make the cut. Of which, the following have been confirmed.

Cris Tales: A gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future — all on one screen as you play!

Destroy All Humans!: The cult-classic returns! Terrorize the people of 1950’s Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Use an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities in the remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Reduce cities to rubble with your flying Saucer! One giant step on mankind!

Haven: share the journey of two lovers escaped to a lost planet in a desperate attempt to stay together. You play as Yu and Kay, gliding over the grasslands of a shattered planet. The demo will give you a glimpse of the beginning of the adventure.

Hellpoint: An intense action RPG taking place on Irid Novo, a derelict space station soaked in an intoxicating dark sci fi atmosphere. Fight dreadful creatures, face the Cosmic Gods and unravel their twisted story. Should the challenge be too great, play with a friend in local or online coop

Skatebird: Grind on bendy straws, kick-flip over staplers, and carve killer lines through cardboard and sticky tape parks. Above all else, skate birds try their best!

The Vale: Shadow of the Crown: An audio based, action-adventure game that unlocks the full potential of 3D spatial sound. The Vale sets out to breathe new life into medieval combat and provide a truly novel experience for visually impaired and sighted gamers alike.

Raji: An Ancient Epic: An action-adventure game set in ancient India. A young girl named Raji has been chosen by the gods to stand against the demonic invasion of the human realm. Her destiny? To rescue her younger brother and face the demon lord Mahabalasura.

Welcome to Elk: A biographical adventure set on an island like no other, where every character you encounter has a story to tell. From the weird and wonderful to the dark and desperate, all the tales told on Elk are based on true stories of life on the road less traveled.

No doubt a very cool initiative - and great to see the Steam-like demo approach coming to consoles.