Summary
- Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase four games, with the identity of the fourth game still a mystery.
- The mystery game is hinted to be a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP.
- Possible candidates for the mystery game include Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden, though it could be something entirely different.
Xbox's third annual Developer Direct is set to go live next week, and the anticipation is building. Since its inception in January 2023, Xbox's Developer Directs have become a key event for fans, offering direct insights from the developers behind upcoming games. The inaugural event famously saw the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, setting a high bar for excitement. Last year's Direct provided in-depth looks at Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and featured a surprise appearance from Square Enix, showcasing Visions of Mana.
Scheduled for Thursday, January 23, this year's Developer Direct will focus on three confirmed 2025 titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. However, the event's highlight remains the mystery fourth game, which Xbox has kept under wraps. This has led to rampant speculation among fans, with hopes ranging from Fable and The Outer Worlds 2 to Gears of War: E-Day.
In a recent feature article on Windows Central, Jez Corden offered some insight into the mystery game, describing it as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This clue has shifted speculation away from Xbox's first-party studios and toward renowned Japanese franchises.
Given Square Enix's presence at last year's event with Visions of Mana, speculation initially leaned towards another Square Enix title, perhaps a new Final Fantasy game. However, Square Enix's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for the Final Fantasy series makes this less likely, especially with no new mainline Final Fantasy or FF7 remake on the immediate horizon following recent releases.
Other possibilities include Capcom's Resident Evil, which, despite traditionally being revealed at PlayStation events, could be ready for a reveal with Resident Evil 9 reportedly in development. Sega's Persona series is another strong contender, especially after Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, and with rumors of Persona 6 targeting a 2025 release. There's also the potential for a new Ninja Gaiden from Team Ninja, considering the franchise's historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.
While these possibilities are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans should tune into Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23, to learn more about Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to discover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.
