Summary
- Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase 4 games, with the identity of the fourth game currently a mystery.
- The mystery game is hinted to be a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP.
- Some possibilities for the mystery game include Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden. However, it could turn out to be something different.
Xbox's third-annual Developer Direct is set to go live next week, and the anticipation is palpable among gaming enthusiasts. Since its inception in January 2023, Xbox's Developer Directs have provided a unique platform for developers from various studios to connect directly with Xbox fans, offering insights into their upcoming games. The inaugural event was particularly memorable for the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush. Last year's Direct featured exciting reveals such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and a special appearance by Square Enix showcasing Visions of Mana.
Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, this year's Developer Direct will delve into three highly anticipated 2025 titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive. In addition to these confirmed games, Xbox has teased a mystery fourth game, sparking a flurry of speculation among the community. Fans have been buzzing with guesses ranging from Fable and The Outer Worlds 2 to Gears of War: E-Day.
In a recent feature article by Jez Corden on Windows Central, focused on Xbox's 2025 lineup, Corden sheds light on the mysterious fourth game, describing it as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This revelation has shifted speculation away from Xbox's first-party studios towards iconic Japanese franchises.
Given Square Enix's presence at last year's event with Visions of Mana, some speculate that they might return with a new Final Fantasy title. However, with Square Enix's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for the Final Fantasy series, and no new mainline or FF7 remake titles expected soon, this seems unlikely.
Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Resident Evil 9 has been rumored to be in development for some time, and despite the series' traditional association with PlayStation reveals, a showcase at Xbox's event could be a possibility. On the other hand, Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, coupled with rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release, makes an appearance at the Developer Direct an exciting prospect. Additionally, a revival of the Ninja Gaiden series by Team Ninja, given its historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era, is another tantalizing possibility.
While these guesses are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans are encouraged to tune into Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23, to gain more insights into Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to finally uncover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.
