Xbox announces Developer Direct showing gameplay for four games launching this year

XBOX has just announced an upcoming Developer Direct that will showcase four games coming to Xbox this year.

Unlike Nintendo Directs and State of Plays, Xbox’s Developer Directs are long showcases with just a few games.

Compulsion Games

South of Midnight has a unique story and art style set in the Deep South[/caption]

Sandfall Interactive

Expedition 33 takes inspiration from Persona and Final Fantasy[/caption]

id Software

Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to the popular Doom (2016)[/caption]

Each game during a Developer Direct gets a deep dive with information from developers as well as extended looks at the gameplay.

Xbox has already revealed three of the games that will be seen during the Direct, but there will also be a fourth mystery game.

During previous Developer Directs a fifth game has appeared during the show that was previously unannounced.

That could happen during Xbox’s January Direct, but we won’t know until it’s live.

If you want to watch the January Xbox Developer Direct yourself, you can catch it on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

It will be shown at the same time globally so it begins at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT.

You don’t need to worry if you’re unable to catch the showcase live, as it will be available as a VOD on Xbox’s official YouTube channel straight after the show ends.

So far we know that the showcase will open with more information on Doom: The Dark Ages.

The prequel to Doom (2016) was first announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024, but we haven’t heard anything about the game since.

We found out that the release window for the game is 2025, but no other information was given at that time.

There should be an extended look at the gameplay for the first time during the January Developer Direct.

The next game to be shown during the Direct is South of Midnight from the developers behind Contrast and We Happy Few.

Based in the Deep South and filled with southern folklore, it pairs its unique story with a very unique art style.

First seen back in 2023, we’ve already seen a fair bit of this one, but players are expecting to learn the release date at the Developer Direct.

The final game that we know will appear during the showcase is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Another game set to release this year with a mid-2025 release window, it was also announced in June last year.

Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG inspired by popular Japanese series like Final Fantasy and Persona.

We also expect the release date during the Developer Direct alongside a closer look at gameplay.

If you want to read more about Xbox, check out the latest information about the Xbox handheld.