Mystery Xbox Game Announcement Set for January 23: Insider Reveals

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 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 the anticipation is building. Since its inception in January 2023, Xbox's Developer Direct has become a key event for fans, offering direct insights from developers on upcoming titles. The first Developer Direct famously included the surprise release of Tango Gameworks' acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, cementing its reputation as a must-watch event. Last year's Direct provided updates on titles like 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 games set for release in 2025: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. However, the most intriguing aspect of the event is the announcement of a fourth, mystery game. Speculation among Xbox fans has been rife, with hopes pinned on titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day.

In a recent feature article on Windows Central, Jez Corden shed some light on this mystery game, describing it as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This revelation has led to speculation that the game might not be from Xbox's first-party studios but rather from a renowned Japanese developer.

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 title. However, with Square Enix's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for Final Fantasy, and no new mainline or FF7 remake expected soon due to recent releases, this seems unlikely.

Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Resident Evil 9 has been rumored to be in development for some time, traditionally revealed at PlayStation events, yet a surprise announcement at Xbox's Direct could be possible. Similarly, Xbox's partnership with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing, combined with rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release, makes Persona a strong contender. Additionally, a new Ninja Gaiden from Team Ninja could be a nostalgic return, given the franchise's strong association with Xbox during the original Xbox era.

While these possibilities are thrilling, they remain speculative. Xbox fans should tune in to the Developer Direct on 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 the mysterious fourth game.