In the first big game showcase of 2025, Microsoft kicked things off with the Xbox Developer's Direct Show case highlighting four AAA titles all set to release this year. Le??t's take a look at all four games that were part of the January 2025 Xbox Developer Direct?? showcase.

Ninja Gaiden 4

Xbox kicked things off with the reveal of the return of Raiden in Ninja Gaiden 4, being developed in coordination by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. If it feels lik??e it's been a while since we've had a Ninja Gaiden game, well, you're right. A decade, to be exact.

Ninja Gaiden 4 takes place after the events of Ninja Gaiden 3 in an abandoned Tokyo that has been taken over by demons. Players will step into the role of the longtime se??ries' main character ?master ninja Ryu Hayabusa as well as a new protagonist, Yakumo.

Team Ninja also revealed Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, an upgraded remaster of the Xbox 360 title Ninja Gaiden 2 rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is out now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Ser??ies X|S, and Ninja Gaiden 4 will be released on the same platforms in F?all 2025 as well as be available on on Day One on Game Pass.

South of Midnight

Next up, Co?mpulsion Games showed off more of the story from the upcoming action-adventure title South of Midnight from the creators of We Happy Few. A hurricane rips through the town of Prospero, whisking away the main character Hazel, and pulling her into a Southern Gothic world ?where reality and fantasy connect and ancient folklore creatures emerge.

We also got a release date for South of Midnight?, and the third-person adventure title is now set to release on April 8, 202,5 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Day One on Game Pass.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

This debut title from developer Sandfall Interactive looks great. The third game highlighted in the showcase was the upcoming RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, featuring turn-based combat mixed with real-time mechanics. Players face off against the Paintress in a B?elle Epoque-inspired fantasy world hosting an expansive world, and lots of secrets and side quests. Revealed in the showcase, players will be able to set up and customize their own camp where they can reinforce weapons,? bond with Expedition teammates, and plan their next course of action.

We also got the release date for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 which will release on April 24, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5?, and Xbox Series X|S. It too, will also ??be available on Day One on Game Pass.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Microsoft wrapped things up with Doom: The Dark Ages, showing off its fast-paced brutal gameplay with tons of bone-shattering and decapitating weapons. The showcase highlighted the open-world aspects of the medieval-themed fight against the forces of Hell as well as a handful of the arsenal of weapons players can wreak havoc with. We also got a lo??ok at two new badass tools we can use in the fight against Hell: a flying mecha dragon and a colossal Atlas mech.

Doom: The Dark Ages is? set to release on May 15, 2025, o??n PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be available on Day One on Game Pass.

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The Xbox Developer Direct event is a chance for Microsoft to showcase some of its first-party games. Last year, we got to see the likes of Avowed, Hellblade 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Given that Microsoft owns some of the biggest franchises in gaming, there's usually a little bit of hype around it. This year is unlikely to be an exception, with the 2025 showcase kicking off in just a few hours (at the time of writing). It's scheduled to ?go ahead at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.

If you want to check out Xbox Developer Direct, there are plenty of ways you can do this. For example, if you're on YouTube, you can go to either the official Xbox or Bethesda channels. If Twitch is more your style, again, you can either favor Xbox or Bethesda. There's also the ASL version of the Xbox Twitch channel as well.

Don't fancy either of those websites, well, the event is also being streamed over on Facebook, as well as on Steam. It's even coming to the Bilibili platfor??m, if you're watching from China. Basically, you won't be stuck for places to check it out.

What can we expect from Xbox Developer Direct 2025?

As mentioned above, Developer_Direct (as it's typically stylized) promises to show off games that are coming up. According to a recent post on Xbox Wire, we'll be getting insights into Compulsion's third-person action game South of Midnight and Sandfall Interactive's RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

However, I'd wager the one that many will be looking forward to the most is Doom: The Dark Ages, the third entry in the reboot of id Software's legendary franchise. A release date for the new Doom game has already been leaked ahead of the showcase, with it possibly coming in May. But we'll know in due time ho??w accurate this information was.

Additiona??lly, Xbox is planning to reveal details about a mysterious fourth game. One can only speculate on what this will be. I'd wager you?? have your own theories. Again, all in good time.

Xbox Developer Direct will be airing in English. However, the event will support???? live captions for other languages, including:

Arabic, Simplified Chines??e, Traditional Chinese, Czech, French, Canadian French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese

Do note that some of the languages listed above may not be available at the time of the broadcast go?ing live. However, Xbox says it will add them to YouTube "at the earliest opportunity."

The post Xbox Developer Direct 2025: where ?to watch and what to expect appeared first on Destructoid.

Doom: The Dark Ages represents the third installment since the reboot of the iconic series back in 2016. I know, I know. Game #3 can be a tricky one to pull off. However, both Doom and Doom Eternal ??were pretty stonkin' shooters, breathing new life into id Softw?are's classics while maintaining the original spirit.

Now, we know the new game is coming in 2025, at least according to the release info on Steam, but we have yet to have a full date. However, according to a recent leak, we could be seeing Doom: The Dark Ages melting our collective faces off come May 15.

The information has been shared by user Alexzan over on Resetera (also reported by Eurogamer), which comes from the French website Gamekult. The words used in the original article say the game "will decimate the infernal legions on May 15, 2025" (as translated Google).

Déchirez et déchirez!

It should be pointed out that the leaked release date, as noted by Gamekult, has since been taken down, but the screenshot Alexzan took remains. As such, we should temper expectations on what we've been presented with. However, it is interesting to note th??at the Doom reboot did launch in May of 2016, while Eternal w?as released in March of its respective year.

Also, this leaked information comes just one day before the Xbox Developer Direct showcase. The Microsoft-led event is set to take place tomorrow, January 23, at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT. We also do know that of the games being featured, Doom: The Dark Ages will be one of them.

Does this mean Bethesda/id Software will officially tell us when we can expect it? It's a possibility. It also seems possible that Gamekult c??ould be correct about the leaked information, whether it was intended or?? not. Sure enough, we'll know within the next 24 hours or so.

The post Doom: The Dark Ages appears to have had its release date ??leaked appeared first on Destructoid.

Excitement for Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming action-RPG Avowed has no doubt ramped up sin?ce it was shown off at Developer Direct. Since then, some extended footage has been doing the rounds, with?? an in-depth discussion about the game from its two directors.

In the recent video from the official Xbox podcast, Game Director Carrie Patel and Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo take us through some moments from Avowed's Shatterskarp ?area. We get a pretty tasty morsel of what's to come from Obsidian's next release (though it needs to be said that all footage is from the alpha build currently).

The action looks pretty sweet and while the game is not intending to be Skyrim adjacent, I can't help but see a little bit of TES5 in all that sword swinging and shield bashing. I'm her??e for it, essentially.

Doing what Obsidian does best

While all this high-octane, fantasy action is a key part of the gameplay, there will be plenty of people who'll be interested in how well the story will be written (yo). Obsidian is known for crafting rich worlds with great dialogue options, something which Avowed will likely feature.

Remember, this is the same studio that brought us the narrative-rich Pentiment (a game I absolutely fell in love with when I played it). Oh, also something called Fallout: New Vegas. Maybe you've heard of it.

It seems ?Obsidian Entertainment can't do much wrong at the minute. Whatever genre it dips its toes into, the studio often come up with something that has an equal mix of great gameplay and fantastic writing. Win-win.

On top of that, Avowed will be coming to Xbox Game Pass? on launch day. We don't know whe?n it's releasing exactly, but it's expected later this year.

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Microsoft is ready to get 2024 rolling. The?? company has announced that it will host an Xbox Developer Direct on January 18.

Xbox teased several of the projects that we'll be seeing during the January 18 Developer Direct. Amongst them are Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed, MachineGames' Indiana Jones title, and Ninja Theory's Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.

The Xbox Wire shed a few more details on what to expect from the event, including our first real look at Indiana Jones. The Developer Direct will spend about 10 minutes on the project, which includes the first gameplay trailer and details on the title's setti??ng and story.

There weren't really any details given for Hellblade 2's segment. Instead, the Xbox Wire says to expect a behind-the-scenes look at the game courtesy of Ninja Theory. We last saw the title at The Game Awards within an impressive new trailer and a release window confirmed for this year.

Avowed is?? getting a "deep dive into the gameplay experience" from Obsidian Entertainment. The studio will detail the game's Living Lands and the action RPG's "deep themes, dynamic gameplay, and thoughtful reactivity."

Also at the Developer Direct will be Oxide Games' Ara: History Untold. We'll get a new look at gameplay and features from the history strategy game crafted by veteran developers of the Civilization series.

Xbox also notes that there will be a standalone presentation from Zenimax Online Studios following the Developer Direct. Here you can expect details on The Elder Scrolls Online's 2024 roadmap, including a new zone, storyline, and game?play features.

The Xbox D??eveloper Direct will stream on Xbox channels on Thursday, January 18 at 12:00 p.m. PST, 3:00 p.m. EST.

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Come, Shiny Vampires...

Microsoft Bethesda is all set to broadcast its Developer_Direct presentation �The live-streaming event will kick off in about 30 minutes from now, and can be watched r?ight here on Destructoid via the embed below.

The show will see the Black and Green brand showing off extended updates a?nd tidbits for some of the biggest games set to hit the Xbox and PC platform in 2023. The presentation, as the title suggests, will be led by the developers themselves, as they proudly display their wares for the eager Xbox audience.

We are unlikely to get any major surprises at this relatively low-key show, but whispers abound that we will be finally receiving release dates for Arkane's trendy monster masher Redfall, and the visually dazzling racer Forza Motorsport. We can also expect updates on both Minecraft Legends and The Elder Scrolls Online.

//www.youtube.com/watch???v=4-Et8r1413Y&ab_channel=Xbox

Here is the itinerary, as listed on the official Xbox and Bethesda blog:

• The Elder Scrolls Online: Studio Director Matt Firor will unveil 2023’s major Chapter update, including the latest regions of Tamriel to become playable in ESO, as well as a major new feature coming in the game’s biggest update this year. The Developer_Direct will be immediately followed by the full, standalone ESO Chapter Reveal Event, hosted by Zenimax Online Studios, which will provide all the in-depth details ESO players will be keen to know.
• Forza Motorsport: The team at Turn 10 Studios have been hard at work, bringing fans the next generation of Forza Motorsport, built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox Series X|S. Forza Motorsport is back, and we can’t wait to share more gameplay and exciting new details.
• Minecraft Legends: Mojang Studios will showcase an insider’s look into the PvP multiplayer experience in Minecraft Legends â€?the upcoming action-strategy game from the makers of Minecraft. Developed in partnership with Blackbird Interactive and launching this spring, don’t miss exclusive gameplay footage at the Developer_Direct.
• Redfall: The minds behind Dishonored and Prey, Arkane Austin, will showcase several minutes of gameplay from their upcoming FPS. The Developer_Direct will reveal single and multiplayer gameplay, showing more of how you and your friends will take down bloodthirsty Vampires on the picturesque island of Redfall, Massachusetts. Fans can expect to learn more about combat, customization, bosses, the open world, and more.

The Developer_Direct stream kicks off today, January 25 at 12:00 PT / 15:00 ET / 21:00 BST. You can watch with us below, or you can check out the action over on the official Xbox and Bethesda  Twitch channels. Our team will be sure to break out all of the biggest news for our fron??t page, so, like the man said: Don't touch that dial!

The post Microsoft Bethesda De?veloper Direct is about to be?gin! appeared first on Destructoid.

If you want something shown right...

[Update: According to a tweet from Xbox Germany, spotted and translated by VGC, the Developer_Direct will reveal release dates for Arkane's Redfall and Microsoft's Forza Motorsport.]

Xbox has announced that it will be holding a special "Developer_Direct" live stream event on January 25 �The presentation will see developers themselves offer up new tidbits and information on a selection of major ?titles headed to the black and green brand in 2023.

Here is the itinerary, as listed on the official Xbox and Bethesda blog:

• The Elder Scrolls Online: Studio Director Matt Firor will unveil 2023’s major Chapter update, including the latest regions of Tamriel to become playable in ESO, as well as a major new feature coming in the game’s biggest update this year. The Developer_Direct will be immediately followed by the full, standalone ESO Chapter Reveal Event, hosted by Zenimax Online Studios, which will provide all the in-depth details ESO players will be keen to know.
• Forza Motorsport: The team at Turn 10 Studios have been hard at work, bringing fans the next generation of Forza Motorsport, built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox Series X|S. Forza Motorsport is back, and we can’t wait to share more gameplay and exciting new details.
• Minecraft Legends: Mojang Studios will showcase an insider’s look into the PvP multiplayer experience in Minecraft Legends â€?the upcoming action-strategy game from the makers of Minecraft. Developed in partnership with Blackbird Interactive and launching this spring, don’t miss exclusive gameplay footage at the Developer_Direct.
• Redfall: The minds behind Dishonored and Prey, Arkane Austin, will showcase several minutes of gameplay from their upcoming FPS. The Developer_Direct will reveal single and multiplayer gameplay, showing more of how you and your friends will take down bloodthirsty Vampires on the picturesque island of Redfall, Massachusetts. Fans can expect to learn more about combat, customization, bosses, the open world, and more.

The Developer_Direct stream kicks off Wednesday, January 25 at 12:00 PT / 15:00 ET / 21:00 BST, and can be watched over on the official Twitch/YouTube channels for Xbox and Bethesda. We will, o?f course, bring you any hot news and/or reveals right here on Destructoid, though no titles outside of those listed above have been confirmed.

The post (Update) Xbox ‘Developer_Direct’ stream to take place January 25 appeared first on Destructoid.

If there is an Xbox showcase, I hope it copies Nintendo Direct's formula

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight the crew discusses the heavily rumored "Xbox Developer Direct". Will Xbox finally lean into smaller Nintendo Direct-style presentations? What would we want to see during it? The team also goes over Fire Emblem Engage specs, GameCube controller r?eturn, and the future of ph??ysical games media!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMgfbh7IzP0??&ab_channel=SpotDodge

ICYMI: According to Windows Central, Xbox has a new show titled "Xbox Developer Direct" set for January 25 at 12 PM Pacific Time. The show is rumored to give us deep dives into three major first-party titles from Xbox. Minecraft Legends, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport. Along with that, it's also said to cover?? some ZeniMax Online content.

The Xbo??x Developer Direct is rumored to be Microsoft's first attempt at a more transparent marketing initiative starting in 2023. Lastly, Starfield might be absent from the show because Xbox and Microsoft have bigger marketing plans for a?? later date.

I hope Xbox has produced a new show format more akin to Nintendo Directs and PlayStation's State of Play events. The long-form structure of previous shows like Inside Xbox were hard to sit through. Not only that but they were never amped up like a Nintendo Direct. Inside Xbox would drop with very little fa??nfare. This new show has the chance to change the perception of Xbox's smaller shows.

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, Joh?n Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, Gamurs�Eric Weichhart is live-editing this week’s show. Let us kno??????????????????????????w in the comments!

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo-focused Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to? go over the? latest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation. So be sure to subscribe!

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Twitch channel. ICYMI: We now have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel! All future episodes will be live-streamed and upl??oaded there.

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (don’t forget to follow and sub?scribe??). So many options!

The post What would we want to see at a rumo?red X?box showcase? appeared first on Destructoid.