It's shaping up to be an exciting year for Xbox enthusiasts, as showcased in Developer_Direct event. The presentation offered in-depth insights into five upcoming games slated for release across Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and/or the cloud, all set to hit the gaming scene later in 2024. Teams from Xbox, Bethesda, and a third-party partner graciously opened their studios, providing extended gameplay demonstrations, divulging crucial details, and much more.

The spotlight during the event was on titles such as Indiana Jonesand the Great Circle, Avowed, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Ara: History Untold. Developers from each team shared a behind-the-scenes look at their creations, unveiling new information and teasing what lies ahead in the gaming landscape this year. All four games will be available on day one with Game Pass, promising another exceptional year for members, filled with remarkable gaming experiences throughout 2024.

In a surprising twist, Square Enix took the stage to unveil Visions of Mana, marking the series' first new mainline entry in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. The truly global show featured insights from developers on three continents, adding to the anticipation surrounding this upcoming RPG scheduled for a summer 2024 release on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Here's a brief summary of the highlights from Developer_Direct:

Avowed – Launching Fall 2024

Coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Cloud, Avowed promises an immersive fantasy action RPG experience. Game Pass members can dive into the Living Lands, exploring varied regions with visually diverse landscapes, and engaging in dynamic combat with flexible loadouts. The game's narrative decisions and combat choices are poised to offer players a unique and personalized journey.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Launching May 21

Scheduled for release on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Cloud, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, developed by Ninja Theory, takes players on a visceral journey through the harsh landscapes of Iceland. The game, set to launch on May 21, promises a gripping narrative, intense battles with the Draugar, and a deep dive into the world of Hellblade through binaural and spatial audio.

Visions of Mana – Launching Summer 2024

Square Enix presented Visions of Mana, a visually stunning RPG set to launch in Summer 2024 on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. With a rich score of 100 songs and an adaptive music system, players can expect a fast-paced and flexible combat experience. The game introduces The Elementals, offering specialized items to assist players in battle.

Ara: History Untold – Launching Fall 2024

Oxide Games unveiled Ara: History Untold, a historical grand strategy game set to launch in the fall of 2024 on PC, available on PC Game Pass on day one. The game's unique features, including a crafting system and simultaneous turns, were showcased during the event.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Launching 2024

Developed by MachineGames in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle promises an exciting journey with over 13 minutes of gameplay footage and insights into the game's development. The game is set to join Game Pass on day one.

In addition to these highlights, other streams included a Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream by Blizzard, delving into the Season of the Construct, and ZeniMax Online Studios kicking off The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal, unveiling the game’s next major Chapter.

The presentation offered just a glimpse of the exciting games in store for Xbox this year. With a diverse set of experiences from both internal studios and external partners, players can anticipate a rich gaming landscape on Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud, and Game Pass.

Prepare yourself for an exciting glimpse into the upcoming Xbox game lineup as we unveil a fresh edition of Developer_Direct. Scheduled for Thursday, January 18, at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK, fans are in for an exclusive sneak peek at highly anticipated games slated for release on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. Following this, ZeniMax Online Studios will take the stage at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to present The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal, offering a preview of the most significant update set to grace the game in 2024.

Developer_Direct, presented directly by the game developers, promises an in-depth exploration of upcoming titles, delving into their creation process and introducing the minds behind them. Our virtual journey will take us to MachineGames in Sweden, where we'll get a glimpse of their Indiana Jones game; swing by Obsidian’s Irvine offices to discover more about Avowed; visit Oxide Games’ Maryland headquarters to learn about Ara: History Untold, and take a trip to Cambridge, England, for insights into Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from Ninja Theory. Please note that, although updates on games from Activision Blizzard won’t be featured in this show, news from those teams is expected later in the year.

The event is not only a celebration of a curated selection of our upcoming games from Xbox but also a testament to our commitment to consistently deliver unmissable experiences for Xbox players. The Game Pass lineup for 2024 started strong for its members, and we promise more incredible games from Xbox and our partners throughout the year.

Make sure to tune in to Xbox channels on January 18 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK to catch all the latest updates on:

Indiana Jones Game: 

MachineGames, the acclaimed studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, will unveil their upcoming action-adventure game featuring the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones. Developer_Direct will showcase over 10 minutes of game and developer insights, revealing details about the game’s setting and story, the player's experience as Indy, additional details from his globe-trotting adventure, and the premiere of the first gameplay trailer.

Avowed: 

The team at Obsidian will provide the first in-depth look at the gameplay experience awaiting fans in Avowed, their upcoming fantasy action RPG set in the fantastical, vibrant Living Lands. Learn about Obsidian’s world-building expertise with deep themes, dynamic gameplay, and thoughtful reactivity that come to life in Avowed, where players have the agency to shape every step of their adventure.

Ara: History Untold: 

Oxide Games, founded by veterans of the strategy genre and creators behind classic titles like Civilization V, will unveil exclusive new gameplay and share more details about the inspiration, key features, and the road ahead for their upcoming historical grand strategy game.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: 

Ninja Theory will take us behind the scenes at their studio in Cambridge to provide insights into the crafting of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. The team will discuss the ambition and meticulous care involved in creating Senua’s journey of survival.

Following the conclusion of Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will host The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK. This standalone presentation will see the development team unveil the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features coming in the game’s biggest update this year.

Stay tuned to Xbox and Bethesda’s official social channels for more on Developer_Direct, happening on Thursday, January 18, at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK.