Exclusive: Xbox will host a new Developer_Direct games show for Redfall, Forza, and more
A showcase of upcoming Xbox games is on the horizon.
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What you need to know
UPDATE (Jan 10, 2022):This is nowofficially confirmedper Microsoft, see below for our original report.
Xbox fans have been waiting for a while for information on this year’s slate of Xbox games, set to include games like Redfall and the hotly-anticipated Starfield. It seems that we won’t have to wait much longer, if our information is correct.
I heard that there was an Xbox showcase on the horizon back in December as we discussed on ourXbox Two Podcast, but have since been able to lock the information down with a variety of sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans. It seems the show will be called a Developer_Direct, and may be part of a new initiative from Microsoft and Xbox to offer information on upcoming games more frequently, outside of the major E3 and Game Awards marketing beats.
From what we understand, the Developer_Direct show is slated for January 25 at 12PM PT on Xbox’s official channels onTwitchandYouTube. Although these dates may be subject to change. The show will be hosted by both Xbox and Bethesda, with deep dives intoRedfall,Minecraft Legends,Forza Motorsport, and content from ZeniMax Online Studios.
From what we understand, this won’t be a full-blown E3-scale kind of show, and will be a more intimate look at some upcoming exclusives. As such, we’ve heard Starfield may even be skipping this show for a bigger marketing beat later on.
2023 is looking to be a bright year for Microsoft’s gaming efforts. Many of thebest Xbox gamesannounced in the past few years have 2023 launch windows, including Redfall and the sure-fire blockbuster Starfield, led by Todd Howard and the team behind Skyrim and Fallout 3 and 4.
Microsoft has been criticized in recent years for the relatively anaemic exclusive offering for Xbox through 2022, despite winning high critical praise for titles like Grounded, Pentiment, alongside ongoing updates for Sea of Thieves and Flight Simualtor. Xbox Game Pass has also been firing on all cylinders, obtaining excellent titles like Vampire Survivors and Plague Tale: Requiem last year, withMonster Hunter Riselanding day one into the service in the coming weeks.
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The Developer_Direct showcase will hopefully be the beginning of a more frequent marketing cycle for the company, as many fans have asked Microsoft to look to Nintendo’s “Direct” style shows to keep the news cycle going. We expect Microsoft will make the show official as soon as this week, so be sure to keep an eye out.
Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow onTwitter (X)andThreads, and listen to hisXB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!
