"Xbox Game Announcement Teased for January 23"

Summary

• Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase 4 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. However, it could turn out to be something different.

Xbox's third-annual Developer Direct is scheduled to go live next week, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. Since the inaugural Developer Direct in January 2023, these events have become a highlight for Xbox enthusiasts, offering direct insights from the developers themselves. The first event notably shadow-dropped the critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush from Tango Gameworks, setting a high bar for future showcases. Last year's Direct provided in-depth looks at Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and even featured a surprise appearance from Square Enix with Visions of Mana.

This year's Developer Direct, airing on January 23, 2025, has already confirmed three exciting titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. However, the real intrigue lies with the fourth mystery game, which Xbox has kept under wraps, fueling speculation among the community. While some fans are hoping for updates on Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, or Gears of War: E-Day, an industry insider, Jez Corden, has provided a tantalizing hint in a recent Windows Central feature article. Corden suggests that the mystery game could be a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," shifting the focus away from Xbox's first-party studios.

Given this clue, speculation has centered around iconic Japanese franchises. Although Square Enix appeared at last year's Direct with Visions of Mana, a return with a new Final Fantasy game seems unlikely due to their ongoing partnership with PlayStation and the recent releases of major titles in the series. Instead, attention has turned to other possibilities such as Capcom's Resident Evil, which, despite traditionally being revealed at PlayStation events, could be ripe for a reveal with Resident Evil 9 reportedly in development. Another strong contender is Sega's Persona series, especially with Xbox's recent collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio and rumors of Persona 6's 2025 release. Additionally, there's the potential for a revival of Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden, given its historical ties to Xbox.

While these possibilities are thrilling, they remain speculative. Fans are encouraged to tune into Xbox's Developer Direct on January 23, 2025, to get the full reveal of the mystery game alongside detailed updates on Compulsion Games' South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.