Yesterday, Microsoft officially confirmed that the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 will feature three games: Playground's Fable reboot and Forza Horizon 6, and Game Freak's new Beast of Reincarnation intellectual property. However, out of three Xbox Developer Direct presentations, on two occasions there were also secret announcements that Microsoft held off until the actual show. The very first time, in 2023, there was the reveal and shadow drop of Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush, which was critically acclaimed but still proved insufficient to prevent Microsoft from shutting down the studio just over a year later. Thankfully, the Japanese developer was later resurrected […]
If you forget about the New Game+ Showcase, then the Xbox Developer_Direct looks to be the first major “Direct” style presentation for the year, as is tradition. Microsoft has already confirmed the presence of Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation, but there are rumors of a “secret” fourth title. Which is par for the course, honestly – remember when Hi-Fi Rush exploded into the world?
Insider Shinobi602 initially reported this, noting that he was “not very excited” based on his personal tastes, without mentioning any further details. VGC’s Andy Robinson followed up by alleging that it would be a third-party title. However, the site has since posted a correction. “This is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game.”
Let the speculation run wild, especially considering rumors of Obsidian Entertainment working on four new games. Perhaps a sequel to Pentiment is on the cards? Of course, there’s also Double Fine Productions, which released Keeper last year but could have another project, this one directed by Tim Schafer, to showcase.
Could we perhaps see something from Ninja Theory? Hellblade 3 doesn’t seem all that likely, especially given how long ago the studio’s next project was allegedly greenlit. However, there is Project: Mara, which the studio has been quietly working on in the background since 2020.
With the Developer_Direct set for January 22nd, the wait is excruciating. Interestingly, we may get some other bombshell announcements, including Fableallegedly launching day and date on PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.
CORRECTION: VGC has since been told this is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game, as first reported. Apologies for the mix-up. https://t.co/VO3Zt03ipE
