Xbox Mystery Game Announcement Set for January 23

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 is set to go live next week, and anticipation is building among fans. The Developer Directs, which began in January 2023, have become a significant event where Xbox's studio developers can directly engage with fans about their upcoming games. The inaugural event famously included the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush, cementing its reputation as a must-watch event. Last January, the Direct featured insights into Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and a special appearance by Square Enix to showcase Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, Xbox's third Developer Direct will highlight three confirmed titles for 2025: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. Additionally, a fourth mystery game will be unveiled during the show, sparking widespread speculation among Xbox enthusiasts. Fans are eagerly discussing potential reveals such as Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day.

In a recent feature article on Windows Central, Jez Corden provided a tantalizing hint about the mystery game, describing it as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This clue has fueled further speculation, particularly ruling out games 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 previous appearance at last year's Direct with Visions of Mana, it's natural to consider their potential return with a new Final Fantasy title. However, with Square Enix still closely partnered with PlayStation for Final Fantasy, and no new mainline FF or FF7 remake expected soon, this seems unlikely.

Other strong contenders include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Although Resident Evil games are typically unveiled at PlayStation events, Resident Evil 9 has been in development for some time and might be ready for a reveal. On the other hand, Xbox's partnership with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, combined with rumors of Persona 6 launching in 2025, makes an appearance at the Developer Direct a thrilling possibility. Additionally, a new Ninja Gaiden from Team Ninja could be on the cards, given the franchise's historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.

While these speculations are exciting, the true identity of the mystery game remains to be seen. Fans should tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23, to learn more about Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to finally discover the identity of this intriguing fourth game.