Xbox Developer Direct Returns This Month To Highlight Four 2025 Titles

Expedition 33 is an interesting inclusion, they are making a trend out of non xbox studios being there.

Hopefully the rumors of doom releasing in May are true.

Greenberg says the 4th is a surprise unannounced game.

Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 is my #1 most excited for game in 2025! I can't wait for this direct!!!

The 4th one will be the Oblivion remake. Looking at home the titles are lining up for 2025, I feel MS are trying to get a big title out each month with CoD and Fable being this year's big titles at the end.

Just remembered, we could see Double Fine's next title

@Millionski Nah, it’s supposed to be “ another studio’s brand new game”. So won’t just be a port.

The wording regarding the 4th game has me thinking it's not Oblivion, also no Fable 4 shown(?) is a letdown.

I'm interested in Expedition 33 at least. The other ones I don't care too much about.

These comments are wild man. People not being interested in Doom or thinking south of midnight disapointed? That game looked incredible in the reveal. OH well hopefully the hidden game is a cool surprise.

It's about time we had some Contraband gameplay footage.

Well at least they doing a direct and letting us know what is coming this year and maybe next.

I still wish Doom and Indy etc where Xbox universe exclusives and I will always will feel that way as an original Xboxer and they had taken the fight to Sony.

Great time for the UK cheers Xbox 6pm 😊

@16BitHero it's about time we had some Contraband anything.

And there it is. Was waiting for this announcement. Hopefully everything that is shown is for the first half of this year, and their not-e3 showcase will be the second half and beyond. Super excited!

Obviously, @themightyant, these won't be the only 4 games that are shown, so there is room for Avowed, and I'd be surprised if the game isn't included in some way...

As much as I am looking forward to Doom, I wasn't a massive fan of the previous game, it just felt too frantic. It seemed that it was just about go through this portal, fight these enemies, exit portal and repeat without really furthering the story...

I'd love it if the unannounced game were either the long rumoured Gears of War: The Marcus Fenix Trilogy, or G0W Tactics 2. Either of those would pretty much make my year!

@Fiendish-Beaver
Will be surprised if Avowed is not shown in some way.
But then again it releases two weeks after so maybe they won’t.
Just keep the games off PS that’s what I say. 🤣

My biggest hope, @OldGamer999, is that at the very least that Microsoft have learned from the furious backlash about the announcement of Indiana Jones going to the PS5, and that Microsoft do not do it in that manner again. The anger was not so much about Indiana Jones being ported, more that the was it was announced was as if it was the most important announcement of the night. It was as if loyal Xbox gamers did not matter...

@awp69 Satya said more games on PS5 and Phil said no red lines. I hope they are men of the word.

Excellent, though surprised we are not seeing more Avowed?
South of midnight has a fantastic aesthetic, but I'm not convinced on gameplay yet, and the issues with some of the people making this game make me cautious.
Doom looks phenomenal, but it's not a game Id play.
I feel a little silly not knowing anything about Clair Obscure, but now I have a great chance to find out!

It’s very new to me that there are so many xbox games in development that we have no idea which 4th studio/game they’ll show in a showcase about 1st party releases this year.

Could be Oblivion, Halo CE, Fable, Everwild, Avowed, the Outer Worlds 2, Clockwork Revolution, Replaced, or even Blade, Contraband, Perfect Dark….

Or 3d party. They promised us Hollow Knight Silksong on gamepass day one years ago.

Microsoft Gaming / Xbox has finally entered wild times so it seems.

@Fiendish-Beaver they dont matter. I mean still matter as they are subbed to GP and spend money on xbox store but no so much going forward.

I bet if they could launch GP on PS they wouldve quit console already.

Overall, we already accepted that xbox exclusivity is fading away but would be cool for each game to know upfront when its coming to PS5.

I'm with you, @FarmDog08. Out of every announced game that I know to be releasing this year, 33 is the one I am most looking forward too...

Looking forward to the direct. Excited to see what they have in store for the three titles and curious what the “surprise” title is.

It's not about when it is announced, @Millionski. They can put the PS5 logo in the trailer for all I care, it is about making the fact that it is going to the PS5 as being the most important announcement of the night that I object to. If you recall it was the last thing they announced on the night, and they did it whilst standing under a screen that had curtains part to say the game was going to the PS5 Spring this year. It literally overshadowed everything else that came before it...

Ahh! Yes, @themightyant. You may well be right! My memory of last years event is a little hazy (perks of being in my 60s 😂) so I had it in my head it may have had more to it...

Pure and Push have different GMT times, @Kezelpaso. Who is right...? My money is on Pure... 🤔😂

@Fiendish-Beaver Yes! I get crazy Lost Odyssey vibes from this game. I hope it lives up!

@Fiendish-Beaver yeah that was bad.

I mean a different thing. Some games dont have the ps5 logo and we dont know if/when they are coming to PS. Those are avowed and south of midnight.
Like should I wait and play a better version on a PS5 PRO or not for example.

@Fiendish-Beaver Well, '1pm GMT / 10am PT / 1pm ET' certainly isn't right.
I should probably go tell them 😅

On that I entirely agree, @Millionski. I would far rather know that it was going, even if I don't know exactly when, but having a timeframe as they did with Indiana Jones (Spring) is I think a very good alternative to no idea at all...

@OldGamer999 would be good to know upfront with games like avowed and south of midnight regarding when they are coming to PS.

Like should I wait and play on ps5 PRO or not.
Avowed does not seem like a big hit, what stopping them to releasing it on ps5 this year?

@Fiendish-Beaver
Totally get your point on that Indy reveal.
But I would rather they don’t go to Sony ever.
Ok COD will and that is that, but others like DOOM and Indy no.

Would rather Xbox build their exclusive universe line up and promote Xbox consoles and GPU more and have a good scrap with Sony.

Xbox are in a far better position studio wise than in the PS4 era and also Sony are definitely not banging them out like in the PS4 era and are tame in comparison to those days.

@Millionski
I would rather nothing went to Sony, ok COD has to.
Would rather take the fight to Sony.
Xbox studios are far stronger now and Sony are not as good as in the PS4 era.

@Fiendish-Beaver yeah give us a time window at least and no need to make fuss of it like with Indy. Thats all I want.

I get the whole case-by-case and mixed messaging is because they dont know the stragegy themselves and they are afraid if there is a clear policy (ex day 1 all games) people gonna jump ship. In the end of the day “they dont care about consoles” narrative is pnly half true. U dont release mid gen and work on next gen to not sell consoles

Hope it's silksong 😭

Hoping South of Midnight is good.

@OldGamer999 we are past that stage mate. Its a matter of “when” now. If games like doom or indy go which are a big hit, whats the point of keeping niche like avowed and south of midnight?

I just need to know if we are talking 3 months or like 1 year.

@Millionski
Yep I get it just do not like it.

@OldGamer999 i am trying to decide if i need an xbox going forward. Since i have prepaid till 2027 I am still going to play whatever is on GP. I guess we will have more clarity in next 2 years.
For now as not every game is on PS day 1, i would say series X is still cool

Great! More games i expected to play! All three games look amazing. Let's see what the surprise game is though!

Hopefully it's oblivion nobody needs a new halo right now!

@Fiendish-Beaver Completely agree mate. I think a release on ps5 or not is irrelevant to these showings and Id be happy if they showed no format at all (as we know they are Xbox and pc anyway).

Buh-buh-buh-blade perhaps?

@Millionski
Yep I have GPU until March 2027.
Series x is definitely cool and quick resume is a great feature for me and the way I play Xbox games. I have about 4 games running at the same time.
Can’t believe Sony or maybe Switch 2 have not copied quick resume.
It is only a small hard drive Information dump and has nothing to do with using system memory, so easy to implement.
Sony are just lazy with these sort of features that actually are useful. Then again Sony would make no money from it so won’t spend the implementation time.

Oh, I'm absolutely with you, @OldGamer999. If I had my way, pretty much every first-party game would be exclusive to the Xbox. It never ceases to amaze me that Xbox finally had all these games in the pipeline, and a real opportunity to make Xbox THE place to play so many games, to make the PS5 the console you had just to play the odd exclusive rather than the other way round wherein people have an Xbox as a Game Pass console, and what do Microsoft do? They completely capitulate, surrender any potential advantage they might have had, and make owning an Xbox as an entirely optional matter because at some point you can play everything on the PS5! So, yes, I totally agree with you. I'd prefer first-party games were utterly exclusive, but sadly, that is not where we are at...

I was really hoping for fable to be one of the games from how little we have seen so far

@OldGamer999 Dude the writing has been on the wall for awhile now. I'd be surprised if everything they announce this year isn't confirmed for PlayStation. They are now a third party publisher that makes consoles as well.

Expedition 33 looks like a proper RPG. Turn based combat instead of that rubbish, D tier real time combat most studios try to force down our throats to appease the stupid younger generation. If they don’t screw up the achievement list, I see myself enjoying this game for quite some time. If they decide to curate a trash achievement list (difficulty related achievements, multiplayer/online server dependent achievements, forced multiple replays etc) then they won’t get a cent or even a ‘free’ gamepass download from me.

I find it weird that it is only 4 games while both previous directs were 5 and there’s way more to show this year

@Fiendish-Beaver
Does seem strange behaviour from Microsoft and Xbox now they are finally in that position since the xbox360 era to lay in on the line and have Xbox with the most exclusives and the console to own.

Also remembering over 50% of GPU subscriptions are on Xbox consoles, so if they got behind Xbox exclusives and the console they would easily gain more GPU subscriptions.

Oh well, what the hell do me and you know 🤣

Well there are eleven ?s underneath the redacted title and eleven letters in PerfectDark…

Well see what happens! I actually bought the last "surprise" game recently. Visions of mana

Ever Everwild seems possible, since they hinted at it over the holidays. That would be a nice surprise:)

$5 says we get a surprised 5th preview.

Always good to hear about. Can't wait for Avowed to kick off Xbox's 2025, either.

So greenie confirmed it's a brand new game that hasn't been announced so throw the chat out the window and start again lol

@Fiendish-Beaver i am guessing we will see more of Gears in the June showcase. Maybe even get the release date if we are lucky. As for that collection. I still hope it’s real. It makes so much sense and I would play E-day -3 over and over and over. I figured E-day would be June showcase. Seeing as it’s not near a release as these other titles.

@Krzzystuff oh my god indiana jones 2!

Can’t wait!

@Friendly it's actually Indy 360....it's Xbox naming conventions.

I'll definitely watch it, but it's not exciting to me without Fable. Oh well, we'll see it when it's ready to be shown.

@OldGamer999 I think that was original strategy. I even found an article from 2020 or so and Phil was saying when buying Bethesda that the goal was to have more EXCLUSIVE content in game pass (and platforms where GP exist: PC, xcloud and xbox consoles). We all know how these subscription models work - people sub for netflix to watch squid games not just to watch content available else where.

They could build a portfolio of studioes to have output of 5-8 games a year vs 1-2 by Sony. Naturally big hitters like doom could be a big pull to xbox if it would be exclusive. and on top of that all these games on GP. Kinda what we expect in 2025 but sadly already 3 games are mutltiplat and I have a feeling we will hear about more xbox games on PS this year for sure. And when market share would be up, probably less issues with devs as well as they would be more interested in the platform and "suddenly" series S would not be a problem. I am not saying their share would be up to sony but def could bridge the gap.

I think they did have a strategy to sell more consoles (hence the seris S) and have more GP subs by using acquisitons to make exclusive games. But then 2 things happened: sales plummeted in around 2022 when PS5 stopped being a deficit product and ABK deal started. The latter caused Satya and their CFO demand more money from xbox BU right now and not in the future and that led to whole change in strategy.

I actually feel like Phil wanted to grow their own platforms whereas Satya said lets just come to where our customers are. Kinda makes sense, MS always did that but clearly a hit to us xbox console players.

Thats how I see it.

@Millionski
I think you could be spot on there, and now it’s happened even more with the ABK deal.
Yes definitely this generation Xbox consoles would not catch Sony, but if they take the fight on exclusives not going to PlayStation but continue other devices, release a bit early next generation like the Xbox 360 era, get those studios pumping out quality AAA exclusives.
Dam well promote the brand, the consoles, the games and they could really challenge Sony.

Even promote XBOX as the home of COD, console and GP bundles, special editions etc.
There is so much they could do for the Xbox brand and the consoles side and GP.

I would love to take that through as Phil if I was there and allowed to, would be an amazing fight and time for Xbox.

Then overtime it’s the PlayStation console that feels left out and you have turned the tide with Xbox consoles, all other devices and GP.

Sony would not be able to keep up with all of the Xbox studios and games available, then once a lot stronger make COD Xbox console and devices and GP exclusive.

I’m enjoying this fight and I would dam well win it 🤣🤣🤣

@Fiendish-Beaver
I think you could be spot on there, and now it’s happened even more with the ABK deal.
Yes definitely this generation Xbox consoles would not catch Sony, but if they take the fight on exclusives not going to PlayStation but continue other devices, release a bit early next generation like the Xbox 360 era, get those studios pumping out quality AAA exclusives.
Dam well promote the brand, the consoles, the games and they could really challenge Sony.
Even promote XBOX as the home of COD, console and GP bundles, special editions etc.
There is so much they could do for the Xbox brand and the consoles side and GP.

I would love to take that through as Phil if I was there and allowed to, would be an amazing fight and time for Xbox.

Then overtime it’s the PlayStation console that feels left out and you have turned the tide with Xbox consoles, all other devices and GP.

Sony would not be able to keep up with all of the Xbox studios and games available, then once a lot stronger make COD Xbox console and devices and GP exclusive.
I’m enjoying this fight and I would dam well win it 🤣🤣🤣

I with you, @HonestHick. I currently have 60 Days, 19 hours and 18 minutes (or 1459 hours) of playtime in Gears 5, with the vast majority being Horde, and the rest the campaign(s). I don't touch multiplayer, and only play Horde with a friend, and we tend to do one Horde every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and we do so as a duo with 3 bots (for as much as they're worth!). So, yes, I'll be playing E-Day on repeat..!

Personally, I think that this Summer Xbox Showcase will be where we see some gameplay from E-Day, and that it will then release the September 2026 as a launch title for the 'Prime'...

@Millionski
Probably nothing, but all UK.
Currys, Smyths toys and Argos still not restocked Xbox consoles.
Currys have zero s or x.
Smyths toys no online and nearly all stores no stock.
Argos getting lower each day for online delivery.
I find this very strange.
Also Smyths toys were saying new stock to be confirmed for 2025.
Now it says absolutely nothing about new stock.
This is no accident from a trillion dollar company.
I know I’m very skeptical but it is what it is.

Now that is concerning.
Game UK have no series s stock
Series x one model lower than 10 left in stock
Something is going on.

@Krzzystuff lol. oh, I messed up, well, can’t wait for the Indy Series to show up! Will take a while though.

@OldGamer999 I'd seen you make this comment a few times but just not looked into it. Even Amazon seems to have really limited stock, but yes nothing available in the major retailers.

What the hell is going on with series consoles here?

@Coletrain
Not sure, they did sell well over December better than normal even without a price reduction.
But I would not have thought a trillion dollar company at this stage of the manufacturing process should be letting stock run very low or out.
Especially as the UK is probably only second to the USA in Xbox consoles sales and GP.

They have either dropped the ball with supply of consoles, which would be not surprise me as the Xbox console is a Microsoft after thought now.
Or it’s a strategic pull away from consoles supply or a very slack approach to stock and supply control.

Either way it does Xbox consoles absolutely no favours. As for me, they are just dum arseholes that don’t care about our beloved xbox consoles in any meaningful way anymore.

@OldGamer999 well if it sold better than usual then that could be one explanation for low stock but I think we'd have seen an article singing it's praises if that was the case. How utterly bloody strange.

This generation is my first foray into the world of Xbox and the Series X has been my favourite console since the PS2 (when Sony games were mostly fun and less serious, now they're the other way around), would love it to carry on a bit longer than this ha!

@Coletrain
The UK sales for consoles for December should be posted very soon so we should find out.
I just don’t believe a company of Microsoft’s size could be that incompetent, unless it’s deliberate. Then again they don’t seem to care in the console front.
Had all the Xbox consoles and PlayStation since day one.
The end of the PS3 and of course the PS4 era was fantastic for me. But after the first two years of PS5 which was great for me the PS5 and more so games have totally dropped off for me. Like all the shows and big announcements and games have sort of left Sony, like it’s become a bit boring for me.

Xbox with more studios is actually a bit more exciting now and of course we have switch 2 soon.

@OldGamer999 oh it's tonnes more exciting on Xbox at the moment. Although I'd love for the FF7 remakes to come over, everything else is mostly the same as PS4 era.

So, curiously even CEX are offering more on trade in and cash for the series X than they were in November, which definitely indicates reduction in stock. I'll keep a watchful eye on this with you ...

@Coletrain
Yes noticed CEX series x is £430 was £415 to buy just 2 weeks ago.
I’m just hoping it’s a supply mess up by Microsoft like a mistake and all will be back to normal very soon.
Might even ask my store insider if I see him at the weekend.

@Fiendish-Beaver yeah I agree summer June showcase will be E-Day’s time to shine. I am not sure if it will only be on Prime or not. I mean that would be cool for sure. A true system seller for Xbox fans for sure. We think we know it’s coming to PS5 but is it day and date? Seems like a throw away of console sales if they did that. But i am excited about it. It’s my most wanted game for sure. Over GTA 6 and even over a Red Dead 3 if that was a thing nearing release but it’s not, i just used that as an example as to how much i want this title. Gears fan for life and i know you are to my friend!

I’m not letting console sales and console war talk ruin our xbox fun, also, don’t believe any rumors

I am a bit shocked that Outer Worlds and Fable are not on the list even tho both are planned for 2025 and we haven't seen much about the games... The surprise must be the Oblivion remake but I wouldn't mind if it is E-Day or something Halo related 🤣

@GeorgeKal My theory is that The Outer Worlds 2 and Fable are for second half of 2025, so they will be in summer showcase. I would be surprised if Fable wasn't given "Direct" style presentation like BO6 in 2024 and Starfield in 2023

Hence SoM and Doom will be out before June. With Avowed it makes great first half of year for Xbox.
So, february for Avowed, march of SoM and may for DooM?

@Godot25 still doesn't makes sense why they don't at least show Fable... Maybe Outer Worlds not there coz its multiplatform release. Who knows... I'm only hoping Fable is not going to be delayed.

@GeorgeKal It makes sense if my theory is correct. If they are releasing all D_D games in first half of 2025, it really doesn't make sense to include Fable there. Especially since there will be summer showcase.

To me, bigger issue with D_D in inclusion of third-party games. I think that D_D should be reserved for first-party titles only. For third-party games, there is Partner Preview.

Happy that they’re doing this again this year. Think it’s the 3rd straight Developer Direct now so let’s hope it continues.

@Coletrain
It’s getting worse.
Game have one model type series x left as an option. No s.
Amazon from them series x and s 1 to 3 months.
Smyths Toys have less stock now and zero to order on line.
Curry’s totally nothing now at all.
Very weird for a company to act this way.

Goes to show they do sell ok in the UK.

They might has well give it up and hand it all to Sony and Nintendo at this rate.

@OldGamer999 I had a look at John Lewis and Very this morning. John Lewis out of stock, Very low stock for series x OG only, series x digital not even showing up.

There's nothing on Google showing any stories or forums on this at the moment, so it's a complete and utter mystery...

@Coletrain
I reached out to Fraser on here with it but no reply or post about it.
With it now getting worse it could make a good article for discussion.

@Coletrain
Amazon one from them directly both x and s saying 1 to 3 months is totally crazy.

On Reddit in the USA they are starting to come up with the same issue in certain states and shops over there.

@Coletrain
I have just noticed something.
Symths toys have stock on line and others to get a console x or s all models through Xbox all access which also gives you 2 years of GPU, paid over two years interest free.

Could this be a forced cheeky strategy by Microsoft to hope people go this way and getting more GPU subscriptions.

@OldGamer999 all access is how I got one, but that was when stock was scarce anyway near the start of this gen. It is a good way to sell it, but something still isn't adding up is it!

@Coletrain
Considering also we just getting good rumours on the Halo collection going to Switch 2 and PS5 this year.

Perhaps it’s goodbye to the traditional Xbox home console very soon.
Why let stock run this low, when there is no reason to.

@OldGamer999 makes no sense to me either. I'd have thought that after US, UK is the biggest market.

Oh well, hold onto them, might be worth something in a few years 🤣

@Coletrain
Yes I think the UK are the second biggest country to Xbox USA.
Being honest it’s probably just Microsoft not that bothered and we will get stock whenever.

If so it makes you realise they really don’t give two hoots about the console business really.

@Coletrain
Someone has worked it out for me.
They are making room for switch 2 shelf space 🤣

@OldGamer999 I know and it does creep into the back of your mind sometimes. Personally though, I'm gonna enjoy the series X for as long as I can, and if the next product isn't well supported then I can grab a ps6 or desktop.

It'd be a shame because series X really is an exceptional console.

@Coletrain
The series x is an amazing console and quick resume a brilliant feature.

If Doom TDA, South of Midnight, and any of the following: Gears E-DAY, Perfect Dark, or Fable are all in 2025 along with a new Call of Duty then that's a pretty big year for Microsoft Games Studio and the Xbox brand.

@Coletrain
Just for one last time and fun only.
Now Game UK have no series console stock.

Can’t believe Pure Xbox have not put an article on this as it is now nearly all retailers.
Or reached out to Xbox UK rep for some clarification, if there actually is one.

@OldGamer999 thing is, there's no story to put up because it's totally mysterious. They'd have nothing to report on! I can't find a dicky bird online about why the stock is so low

@Coletrain
True but this site must have contacts and people in the know.
Also most stuff on here is rumours, look at the switch 2, it’s all rumoured articles on Nintendo Life. And about Xbox games going to other consoles.
It’s probably just pure Microsoft complacency and not being bothered much about consoles.
But does seems crap behaviour from a trillion dollar company and really shows how much they don’t care about Xbox consoles.

If the spacing for the name is correct it will be 11 letters. Square_Enix does fit.