Mystery Xbox Game Announcement Set for January 23: Insider

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, set to go live next week, continues to stir excitement among gaming enthusiasts. The event, which began in January 2023, has become a pivotal platform for Xbox's studios to directly engage with fans about upcoming titles. Notably, the first Developer Direct saw the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, cementing its reputation as a must-watch event. Last year's Direct highlighted Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and featured Square Enix showcasing Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, the upcoming Developer Direct promises to reveal details about three anticipated 2025 releases: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive. However, the real buzz surrounds the announcement of a fourth mystery game, which Xbox has kept under wraps. Speculation is rife among fans, with many hoping for updates on titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day.

In a recent feature article by Jez Corden on Windows Central, discussing Xbox's 2025 lineup, Corden offers a tantalizing clue about the mystery game. He suggests it is a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," shifting focus away from Xbox's first-party studios.

Xbox Developer Direct Mystery Game Could Be a New Entry in a Legendary Japanese Franchise

Given Square Enix's appearance at last year's Direct with Visions of Mana, speculation initially pointed towards another Square Enix title, possibly from the Final Fantasy series. However, with Square Enix's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for Final Fantasy and no imminent mainline or FF7 remake releases on the horizon, this seems unlikely.

Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Resident Evil 9, reportedly in development for some time, could be ripe for a reveal, despite the franchise's traditional association with PlayStation events. Meanwhile, Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing and rumors of a 2025 release for Persona 6 fuel speculation that Persona could make a significant appearance at the Direct. Additionally, a new Ninja Gaiden game from Team Ninja, given the franchise's historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era, could also be in the cards.

While these possibilities are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans are encouraged to tune into Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23, to get the latest on Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to finally uncover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.