Gaming Roundup - Xbox Developer_Direct Announced
Fable, Forza 6, Beast of Reincarnation, plus a mystery fourth game.
G’day Gamers,
I’ve been spending my evenings playing games with mates - Outlast Trials and Core Keeper, mostly. Nothing quite like reliving the glory days of gaming together, except now someone’s always got to leave early for work the next day, and there’s usually a crying child in someone’s background.
Let’s Get Into It,
Xbox Developer_Direct Locked In for January 22
Xbox has confirmed that its next Developer_Direct will stream on Thursday, January 22, at 10 am PT, which is 5 am AEDT on Friday, January 23, for us Australians.
The show is set up to focus on gameplay, with Xbox promising direct-from-the-studios segments and extended looks at three games: Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation.
For Fable, Xbox is framing this as the first proper deep dive, with Playground Games set to share new footage and more details on the direction of the reboot. Forza Horizon 6 is also getting its first major gameplay reveal, with reports suggesting the next Horizon is set in Japan.
The third spotlight, Beast of Reincarnation, is notable because it is coming from Game Freak, best known for Pokémon. Xbox says this segment will detail the protagonist Emma, her plant manipulation mechanics, and gameplay alongside her canine companion Koo in a post-apocalyptic Japan setting.
Separately, reports suggest that the event will include a fourth game that has not been announced yet, described as a smaller, original title from an Xbox first-party studio.
The mystery fourth game is there to give the showcase an extra edge, and potentially steal the headlines if it lands.
A man can dream Rare announces Banjo Threeie can’t he?
In Case You Missed It…
Larian backtracks on AI in Divinity after fan backlash
CEO Swen Vincke confirmed no generative AI art will appear in Divinity after comments about concept work experiments sparked immediate community pushback.
Steam Machine pricing reportedly spotted in a retailer’s HTML
A Reddit user digging through a Czech retailer’s page claims to have found hidden pricing fields showing roughly US$950 for a 512GB model and about US$1,100 for a 1TB version. None of it is official, but it gives a rough idea of where pricing might land if the listing is real.
Project Mara reportedly shelved, Ninja Theory focusing on Hellblade 3
Reporting suggests Ninja Theory’s Project Mara is no longer in active development, with the studio now focused on Hellblade 3.
IO Interactive talks up Project Fantasy in new hiring materials
IO Interactive is hiring for Project Fantasy, described as an online fantasy RPG and a new IP for console and PC.
Masters of Albion gets a release date
Peter Molyneux’s god game Masters of Albion is set to launch on April 22. The pitch is a mix of god game systems, town management, and strategy.
Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert’s world is at least twice Skyrim’s size and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2’s, while stressing the focus is on interactivity, not just empty space.
First PlayStation Plus Game Catalog additions for January leaked
Insider Gaming reports the first batch of January’s PS Plus Game Catalog additions has leaked via billbil-kun and is expected to go live from January 20, with the full reveal due January 14.
Nintendo president talks Switch 2 stock and pricing, returning franchises and new titles
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa says Switch 2 supply has stabilised globally except in Japan, avoided pricing hypotheticals, and said Nintendo is developing long-awaited series entries alongside completely new software.
Releasing This Week (AEDT)
(PC Early Access) – January 13
Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG with procedurally generated zones, RPG combat, block-based construction, and visual scripting tools. $19.99 USD through the official Hytale launcher.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Free Update (Switch, Switch 2) – January 15
The life sim gets a visual upgrade and new features for Switch 2, with a free update available for existing Switch owners.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, PC) – January 15
The thirteenth mainline Trails game. JRPG with turn-based combat, bringing together characters from previous arcs as the Zemurian continent faces its prophesied end.
BrokenLore: Unfollow (PS5, Xbox, PC) – January 16
First-person horror set in a world where social media stalking has deadly consequences. You play as a paranormal investigator dealing with supernatural entities tied to digital obsession.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (PC, Consoles) – January 20
Metroidvania about an AI exploring humanity through the memories of a deceased astronaut.
Plus there are strong rumors that the Prince of Persia remake will be dropping Jan 16th.
Did You Know?
The original PlayStation controller didn’t have analog sticks at launch in 1994. Sony added them in 1997 with the DualShock, following Nintendo’s N64 controller, which proved that 3D games required more precise movement options. The PlayStation had been on the market for three years before analog controllers became standard.
If you liked this week’s issue or have suggestions for what you’d like to see covered, let me know at jayden@thesavefile.com.au
Till Next Time,
Desmond