Summary
Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase four games, with the fourth game's identity currently a mystery. Hints suggest it's a new entry in a legendary Japanese franchise. Speculation includes Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden, but the actual reveal could surprise us.
Xbox's third annual Developer Direct, airing next week, promises exciting news. These events, launched in January 2023, have become highly anticipated, notably for the surprise reveal of Hi-Fi Rush during the first show. Last year's Direct featured Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and a Square Enix presentation showcasing Visions of Mana.
This year's Direct, on Thursday, January 23rd, will highlight Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The mystery fourth game, however, is generating significant buzz. While fans hope for titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day, the speculation is pointing elsewhere.
Jez Corden of Windows Central offers a clue: the mystery game is a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," suggesting it's not from an Xbox first-party studio.
While a Square Enix appearance, perhaps with a new Final Fantasy title, is tempting, the ongoing PlayStation partnership for Final Fantasy and the recent releases of major titles make this scenario unlikely.
Other strong contenders include Capcom's Resident Evil (though traditionally revealed at PlayStation events, Resident Evil 9 is reportedly in development and ready for a reveal), Sega's Persona (especially given Xbox's marketing partnership with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 6 rumors), and a potential Ninja Gaiden revival from Team Ninja, given the franchise's strong association with Xbox during the original Xbox era.
Despite the exciting possibilities, it remains speculation. Tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23rd, to discover the truth about South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the enigmatic fourth game.
