Microsoft has revealed that its next Xbox Developer Direct is scheduled for January 23. This event will kick off the first Xbox game showcase of 2025.
Microsoft has consistently held game showcases during the 2020s, but it introduced the Xbox Developer Direct branding in January 2023. The second edition of this show, focusing on previews of future Xbox games, occurred in January 2024.
Xbox Developer Direct 2025 Details
- Date: January 23, at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT
- Platforms: YouTube, Twitch
- Confirmed games: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight
There’s a lot to anticipate at the upcoming event, with Microsoft confirming three games that will be part of the showcase. Among them is South of Midnight, an action-adventure game with a unique style, currently being developed by Compulsion Games, a Canadian studio recognized for titles like Contrast and We Happy Few. While South of Midnight was announced back in June 2023, it still awaits a release date, which could be announced at the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct.
Confirmed for the January 2025 showcase is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG from the French studio Sandfall Interactive. Like South of Midnight, this title is still without a specific release date, but it is expected to launch in 2025. Notably, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The final game announced for the Xbox Developer Direct 2025 is Doom: The Dark Ages by id Software, which was initially revealed in June 2024. A demo of the game was playable at QuakeCon 2024 in August, and there are whispers of a mid-2025 release for the shooter.
There might be more games on display at the upcoming event than just these three titles. The initial two Xbox Developer Directs lasted over 40 minutes each and highlighted several games. For instance, the 2024 edition provided fresh insights into Avowed, Ara: History Untold, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Visions of Mana. Likewise, the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct could bring some unexpected reveals that Microsoft has decided to keep under wraps for now.