As a researcher following the gaming industry, I’m really looking forward to January. It marks the return of Xbox Developer Direct – Microsoft’s yearly event where they showcase what’s new for Xbox and its developers – and this year’s edition is for 2026.
Unlike larger gaming events such as The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest, and the Xbox Games Showcase, the Xbox Developer Direct is a more focused presentation. It highlights just a few – typically four or five – games that are planned for release on Xbox, PC, and through Xbox Game Pass later in the year.
Microsoft hadn’t announced the date for this year’s showcase until now. But Xbox has just revealed when it will happen and where you can tune in. Keep reading for all the details, including the start time and where to watch.
How to watch the Xbox Developer Direct 2026
You can also watch the show on Steam, Valve’s PC gaming platform, and on Microsoft and Bethesda’s channels, which vary depending on your region.
The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 is planned to last around 45 minutes, but the exact length could vary depending on how much content Microsoft and its game studios want to share – for example, a detailed look at the game Fable. This presentation will be much shorter than the larger Xbox Games Showcase held each summer, as it’s designed to be a more focused event.
If this year’s presentation is similar to the one planned for 2025, you’ll be able to find English captions on the main YouTube video. Captions in other languages will be offered on separate, regional YouTube channels.
Last year, the platform supported 27 different languages, including Arabic, both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Czech, French (including Canadian French), German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese (including Brazilian Portuguese), Russian, Spanish (including Castilian and Mexican varieties), Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
FAQ
When does the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 start?
The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 showcase will start on January 22nd at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, 1:00 PM Eastern Time, or 6:00 PM GMT.
How long is the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 show?
We don’t know the exact length of the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 show yet, but it’s likely to be around 45 minutes long, similar to past presentations.
What should you expect from the Xbox Developer Direct 2026?
All the games featured in the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 will be playable on Xbox consoles, PCs, and through Xbox Game Pass. While the full lineup is still a mystery, we anticipate seeing major titles from Microsoft’s studios, such as Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, an updated version of Halo called Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Forza Horizon 6.
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2026-01-08 19:40