Xbox Developer Direct is an annual presentation showcasing new gameplay and studio insights on upcoming games launching for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and cloud. Here are all the major announcements from this year’s Xbox Developer Direct.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
| Developer | id Software |
| Release date | May 15, 2025 |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox Series X|S – PC (via the Xbox App) – Steam – PlayStation 5 – Game Pass – cloud |
DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, is set in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOM’s immediately recognizable hellish twist. In the segment, three core pillars of the game were explored: Combat, which dug into deadly new weapons of mass destruction the Slayer can wield; Exploration, which offered a glimpse at an incredible new medieval-inspired setting that will take players to never-before-seen dark and sinister realms; and Story, which gave an overview of the characters and stakes the Slayer will face in his journey to turn the tides of a war.
South of Midnight
| Developer | Compulsion Games |
| Release date | April 8, 2025 |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox Series X|S – PC (via the Xbox App) – Steam – PlayStation 5 – Game Pass – cloud |
South of Midnight is a new third-person action-adventure game that follows the journey of Hazel, the game’s protagonist, which leads her into a darkly magical world where she discovers her new abilities as a Weaver. Her story is filled with macabre Southern Gothic folklore and encounters with mythical larger-than-life creatures that shape her growth and understanding of her newfound powers.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
| Developer | Sandfall Interactive |
| Release date | April 24, 2025 |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox Series X|S – PC (via the Xbox App) – Steam – PlayStation 5 – Game Pass – cloud |
This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th-century France, where the world is facing an existential threat, one year at a time. The developer shared a deeper look at the game’s innovative mechanics, such as the “Reactive Turn-Based” system, and the unique art direction that brings the game’s world to life. We even got a first look at Expedition 33’s expansive overworld map.
Ninja Gaiden 4
| Developer | Team Ninja / Platinum Games |
| Release date | Fall 2025 |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox Series X|S – PC (via the Xbox App) – Steam – PlayStation 5 – Game Pass – cloud |
Ninja Gaiden 4 picks up after the events of Ninja Gaiden 3, and the reveal trailer shows off a cyberpunk-escque Tokyo in the midst of chaos, as a new ninja protagonist named Yakumo takes center stage.
Franchise star Ryu Hayabusa is also a playable character, and will serve as a major figure in the story and as an obstacle for Yakumo to overcome. The action title is said to be influenced by the difficulty found in Ninja Gaiden 2, and is set to release this fall on Xbox and Game Pass (but will also be available for PlayStation 5 and PC.)
Gameplay footage showed that Yakumo will introduce players to a stylish new take on ninja action with Bloodbind Ninjutsu, alongside legacy techniques like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop. Ryu will also return as a playable character with a revamped arsenal that stays true to his signature brutality and precision.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
| Developer | Team Ninja |
| Release date | [NOW] |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox Series X|S – PC (via the Xbox App) – Steam – PlayStation 5 – Game Pass – cloud |
Koei Tecmo revealed Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the 2008 original, is available now on Xbox, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. The game has been remade using the Unreal Engine, and incorporates additions found in previous remakes like Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 while still staying true to the over-the-top violence and the steep difficulty found in the original Xbox 360 version.