Mystery Xbox Game Announcement Set for January 23

Summary

• Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase four games, with the fourth game's identity still a mystery.
• The mystery game is hinted to be a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP.
• Speculated titles include Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden, but it could be something entirely different.

Xbox's third annual Developer Direct, set to go live next week, is generating buzz among gaming enthusiasts, particularly due to the mystery surrounding its fourth game reveal. The Developer Directs, which began in January 2023, have become a pivotal event for Xbox, offering direct insights from developers to fans about upcoming titles. Notably, the first Developer Direct was followed by the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, cementing the event's reputation as a must-watch. Last year's Direct provided in-depth looks at Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and featured Square Enix's Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for 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 by Sandfall Interactive. However, the most intriguing aspect remains the undisclosed fourth game. Speculation among Xbox fans ranges from hopes for Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, to Gears of War: E-Day.

In a recent Windows Central feature, industry insider Jez Corden shed light on the mystery game, hinting that it could be a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This revelation suggests the game may not originate from Xbox's first-party studios, shifting the focus to renowned Japanese franchises.

Given Square Enix's appearance at last year's Direct with Visions of Mana, speculation initially pointed towards another Square Enix title, possibly a new Final Fantasy. However, with Square's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for Final Fantasy and no immediate plans for new mainline entries or FF7 remakes, this seems unlikely.

Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Resident Evil 9, rumored to be in development for some time, could be a fitting reveal, despite Resident Evil traditionally being announced at PlayStation events. Similarly, Xbox's recent collaboration with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, coupled with rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release, makes Persona a strong contender. Additionally, a revival of Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden, which has historical ties to Xbox, is another exciting possibility.

While these speculations are thrilling, they remain unconfirmed. Fans are encouraged to tune into Xbox's 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 uncover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.