Xbox's upcoming Developer Direct, airing January 23rd, will feature four games, one of which remains shrouded in mystery. Hints suggest this fourth game is a new installment in a renowned Japanese franchise with a long history.
The Developer Direct series, launched in January 2023, has become a highly anticipated event, famously unveiling Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush unexpectedly after its first show. Last year's event showcased titles like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and featured Square Enix presenting Visions of Mana.
This year's lineup includes confirmed titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The mystery fourth game has sparked intense speculation among fans, with suggestions ranging from Fable and The Outer Worlds 2 to Gears of War: E-Day.
Industry insider Jez Corden, in a Windows Central article, offered a 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.
While possibilities abound, several prominent Japanese franchises are being considered. A new Final Fantasy title from Square Enix is plausible, although their existing PlayStation partnerships and recent releases make this less likely. Other strong contenders include Capcom's Resident Evil (despite its usual PlayStation reveals, Resident Evil 9 is rumored to be ready for unveiling), Sega's Persona (given Xbox's collaboration with Sega on Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 6 rumors), and a potential Ninja Gaiden revival from Team Ninja, considering the franchise's strong ties to Xbox during the original Xbox era.
Ultimately, all speculation will end on January 23rd. Tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct to discover the identity of the mysterious fourth game alongside the other exciting announcements.
