Details on Xbox’s first Developer_Direct of 2025 — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and DOOM: The Dark Ages take center stage on January 23

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Surprise! It’s January, which means we’re getting a shiny new Developer_Direct from Xbox.

Under the brand Developer_Direct, Xbox hosts mini game demonstrations throughout the year, which have included January shows to kickstart their first-party games lineup for the past few years. However, Microsoft has also been providing a platform for promising third-party games in recent times. In 2025, Microsoft is expected to have an extremely busy year for game releases, with confirmed titles such as Fable, South of Midnight, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2 on the horizon.

It seems likely that 2025 will see an increased number of games compared to what has been announced so far. For now, Microsoft is primarily highlighting two captivating Xbox games scheduled for release this year, along with a promising new feature from the debut game by Sandfall Interactive.

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The show, as announced on Xbox Wire, is scheduled to start on Thursday, the 23rd of January at 1PM Eastern Time or 6PM in the United Kingdom. In this month’s Developer_Direct event, we will delve into South of Midnight, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Direct from the creators themselves, Developer_Direct offers a detailed exploration of their upcoming games, the creative processes behind them, and the talented minds responsible. We’ll journey to Compulsion Games in Montreal, Canada for insights into South of Midnight, travel to Montpellier, France to catch a glimpse of Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, drop by id Studios in Richardson, Texas to check on the progress of DOOM: The Dark Ages, and visit an unexpected location to witness another studio’s fresh new project.

Microsoft explains that DOOM: The Dark Ages serves as a “dramatic backstory,” delving into the early years of the Doom Slayer, set in a grim, ominous medieval setting where he battles the minions of Hell.

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Moreover, Compulsion Games is planning to provide a more in-depth exploration of the southern gothic action game South of Midnight, where players control Hazel and unravel her family’s concealed past. Furthermore, Microsoft has handed over the mic to Sandfall Interactive, whose inaugural project, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, intends to bring a turn-based JRPG experience with a dark fantasy theme infused with contemporary AAA elegance.

Historically, Microsoft has hinted at more surprises during their Developer_Direct broadcasts. Looking at the “???” on the official graphic, it’s reasonable to expect similar surprises this year. There are numerous games that could occupy the fourth spot, such as Avowed in February, The Outer Worlds 2, and Fable later in the year. However, there’s a chance Fable might debut at the large post-June Showcase Developer_Direct event, which was previously taken up by Call of Duty Black Ops 6.

Recent gossip suggests a potential Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remake, too. Furthermore, there are several highly anticipated third-party games still missing from Xbox’s lineup, any one of which could be an exciting reveal for the final slot. Alternatively, it might just be three games this time and all the anticipation is speculation. We’ll find out for certain by January 23rd.

Typically, you can catch Xbox Developer_Direct shows on both their Twitch and YouTube channels. In case you miss the live stream, stay tuned with us at Windows Central. We’ll provide all the essential updates right here on our website and through our social media platforms.

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2025-01-09 17:13