Xbox Mystery 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 currently a mystery.
• The mystery game is hinted to be a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP.
• Some speculated possibilities for the mystery game include Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden, though it could be something different.

Xbox's third-annual Developer Direct is set to go live next week, and excitement is building around what the fourth mystery game might be. Since its inception in January 2023, Xbox's Developer Directs have become a crucial platform for developers to connect directly with fans, sharing updates on upcoming games. The first Developer Direct notably shadow-dropped Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, cementing the event's reputation as a must-watch. Last year's Direct featured insights into Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and even included a segment from Square Enix showcasing Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, this year's Developer Direct will focus on three confirmed 2025 releases: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. However, the real buzz is around the undisclosed fourth game. Speculation among Xbox fans has ranged from hopes for Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, to Gears of War: E-Day.

In a recent feature article on Windows Central, Jez Corden offered a tantalizing hint about the mystery game, describing it as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This clue suggests the game won't be from Xbox's first-party studios, sparking further speculation.

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, one might expect them to return with a new Final Fantasy title. However, considering Square's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for the Final Fantasy series, and with no new mainline or FF7 remake expected soon after recent releases, this seems unlikely.

Other possibilities include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. While Resident Evil games are traditionally unveiled at PlayStation events, rumors suggest Resident Evil 9 could be ready for a reveal. For Persona, Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, coupled with rumors of a 2025 release for Persona 6, make an appearance at Xbox's Developer Direct a thrilling prospect. There's also the potential for a new Ninja Gaiden from Team Ninja, given the franchise's historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.

While these speculations are exciting, they remain just that—speculations. 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 uncover the identity of this mysterious fourth game.