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, sparking excitement and speculation among fans. Since the inception of these events in January 2023, Xbox has used them as a platform for developers to directly engage with their audience about upcoming titles. The first Developer Direct notably shadow-dropped Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, setting a high bar for future events. Last year's Direct provided insights into games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, with a special appearance from Square Enix showcasing Visions of Mana.
Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, this year's Developer Direct will highlight three anticipated 2025 releases: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. However, the buzz is all about the fourth mystery game, which Xbox has teased but not yet revealed. Speculation among fans includes hopes for titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day.
In a recent feature on Windows Central, industry insider Jez Corden provided a tantalizing hint about the mystery game, suggesting it's a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This clue has shifted the focus away from Xbox's first-party studios to renowned Japanese franchises.
Given Square Enix's appearance at last year's event with Visions of Mana, some speculate they might return with a new Final Fantasy title. However, considering Square's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for Final Fantasy and the recent releases of major games in the series, this seems unlikely.
Other possibilities include Capcom's Resident Evil series, which has been traditionally revealed at PlayStation events, but Resident Evil 9 is rumored to be in development and could be ripe for an announcement. Sega's Persona series is another contender, especially since Xbox partnered with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, and there are rumors of Persona 6 launching in 2025. There's also the potential for a new Ninja Gaiden game from Team Ninja, given the franchise's historical ties to Xbox.
While these speculations are thrilling, the true identity of the mystery game remains to be seen. Fans are encouraged to tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on January 23 to learn more about Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to finally discover what this mysterious fourth game will be.
