Mystery Xbox Game Announcement Set for January 23: Insider Reveals

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, creating a buzz among gaming enthusiasts. Since its inception in January 2023, the Developer Direct has become a key event where Xbox's studio developers connect directly with fans, offering insights into upcoming games. Notably, Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush was shadow-dropped following the first Developer Direct, setting a high bar for future reveals. Last year's event highlighted Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and included a segment from Square Enix showcasing Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, Xbox's third Developer Direct will feature three confirmed titles set for release in 2025: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive. However, the event's highlight is the unveiling of a mysterious fourth game, sparking widespread speculation among the Xbox community. While many are hopeful for titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day, a recent feature by Jez Corden on Windows Central sheds light on this mystery. Corden suggests that the fourth game will be a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," hinting at a departure from Xbox's first-party studios.

Given this clue, speculation naturally turns to renowned Japanese franchises. Although Square Enix made an appearance last year with Visions of Mana, the possibility of them returning with a new Final Fantasy title seems slim, especially considering their ongoing partnership with PlayStation and the recent releases in the series. Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Resident Evil 9, reportedly in development for some time, could be poised for a reveal, despite the series traditionally being showcased at PlayStation events. As for Persona, Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, coupled with rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release, make it a strong contender for the mystery game. Additionally, a revival of Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden, a franchise with a historical connection to Xbox, cannot be ruled out.

While these guesses are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans eagerly await the Xbox Developer Direct on January 23 to gain insights into Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to finally discover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.