Summary
Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase four games, with the identity of the fourth remaining a mystery. Hints suggest this mystery game is a new entry in a legendary Japanese franchise. Speculation includes titles like Resident Evil, Persona, and a new Ninja Gaiden, but the actual reveal could be something entirely different.
Xbox's third annual Developer Direct, airing next week, promises exciting reveals. Building on the success of previous Directs—which famously included the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush—this year's event will feature Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, the real buzz surrounds the unannounced fourth game. Initial fan speculation ranged from Fable and The Outer Worlds 2 to Gears of War: E-Day.
Jez Corden of Windows Central offered a crucial clue: the mystery game is a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history," suggesting it's not from an Xbox first-party studio.
Xbox Developer Direct Mystery Game: A Legendary Japanese Franchise?
While Square Enix's presence at last year's Direct with Visions of Mana fueled speculation about a new Final Fantasy title, this seems unlikely due to Square's ongoing PlayStation partnerships and the recent release of major Final Fantasy titles.
Other strong contenders include Capcom's Resident Evil—despite its PlayStation association, a long-rumored Resident Evil 9 could be unveiled—and Sega's Persona, especially given Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio and rumors of a 2025 Persona 6 release. A Ninja Gaiden revival from Team Ninja is also a possibility, given the franchise's strong ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.
Despite the exciting possibilities, all remain speculation. Tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23rd, to discover the identities of South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the enigmatic fourth game.
