"Mystery Xbox 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 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 captivate fans once again next week, promising an exciting lineup of games. Since its inception in January 2023, the Developer Direct has become a pivotal event where Xbox studios directly engage with their community, sharing insights into upcoming titles. The first Developer Direct famously shadow-dropped Tango Gameworks' critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, cementing its reputation as a must-watch event. Last year's Direct unveiled details on Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and featured Square Enix's Visions of Mana.

Scheduled for Thursday, January 23, the upcoming Developer Direct will showcase three eagerly anticipated 2025 titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Sandfall Interactive's turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, the highlight of the event is the announcement of a mystery fourth game, which has sparked widespread speculation among Xbox enthusiasts. While some are hoping for updates on Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day, a recent feature article by Jez Corden on Windows Central hints that the mystery game could be 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 speculate on another Square Enix title, perhaps a new Final Fantasy game. However, considering Square's ongoing partnership with PlayStation for the Final Fantasy series and the recent releases of two major games, a new Final Fantasy reveal seems unlikely.

Other potential candidates include Capcom's Resident Evil and Sega's Persona. Despite Resident Evil games typically being announced at PlayStation events, Resident Evil 9 has been in development for some time and could be ripe for a reveal. As for Persona, Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio's marketing and rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release make it a plausible contender. Additionally, a new Ninja Gaiden game from Team Ninja could be on the cards, especially given the franchise's strong ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.

While these possibilities are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans should tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on January 23 to learn more about Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and to uncover the identity of the mysterious fourth game.