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.
• 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 high among fans eager to learn about the upcoming games. Since the inaugural event in January 2023, Xbox's Developer Directs have become a crucial platform for developers to connect directly with fans. The first event famously shadow-dropped Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, setting a high bar for excitement. Last year's Direct provided insights into titles like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and featured Square Enix's Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for next Thursday, January 23, this year's Developer Direct will showcase three confirmed 2025 titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Sandfall Interactive's turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The highlight, however, is the mystery fourth game, which Xbox has kept under wraps, fueling widespread speculation among fans about what it could be. While some hope for updates on Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day, industry insider Jez Corden from Windows Central has suggested that this mystery game is a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," ruling out possibilities 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, it's tempting to think they might return with a new Final Fantasy game. However, considering Square Enix's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for Final Fantasy, and the recent releases of major titles in the series, this seems unlikely.

Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. While Resident Evil games have traditionally been revealed at PlayStation events, Resident Evil 9 has been in development for some time and could be ripe for an announcement. Xbox's partnership with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing and rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release make Persona a strong contender. Additionally, a new Ninja Gaiden game from Team Ninja is another possibility, given the franchise's historical ties to Xbox during the original Xbox generation.

While these speculations are exciting, they remain just that—speculations. Fans are encouraged to tune into Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23, to get detailed 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.