A new report has claimed that the rumored Xbox Games Showcase event will take place on Wednesday, January 25 at 12pm PT. Insiders have teased that Microsoft is planning an Xbox Games Showcase to highlight some of the upcoming titles that are on the way for Xbox consoles and the Game Pass subscription service, but there still hasn't been an official announcement just yet.
Microsoft has not officially announced the rumored showcase at the time of this writing. As it stands, Microsoft has generally been keeping out of the spotlight when it comes announcing new games or shining a spotlight on upcoming Xbox titles. In fact, Microsoft was basically absent from The Game Awards 2022, with reports indicating that its absence was a deliberate move to amid its attempted Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Now Windows Central's Jez Corden, who has reliably leaked Microsoft and Xbox news in the past, has claimed in a new report that the rumored Xbox Games Showcase is indeed happening, and it will most likely take place on January 25 at 12pm PT. Corden clarified that this showcase, supposedly titled Developer_Direct, won't be an E3-equivalent presentation. On paper, it sounds like it will have more in common with Nintendo Direct events or the PlayStation State of Play showcases.
According to Corden's information, the Xbox showcase will be a joint production between Xbox and Bethesda. Corden mentioned specific games that will supposedly be featured at the show, including the new Forza Motorsport title, Minecraft Legends, and co-op vampire shooter Redfall. "Content from ZeniMax Online Studios" will also be showcased, if Corden's information is accurate. Unfortunately for those hoping to get another glimpse at Bethesda's open world sci-fi RPG Starfield, it's believed that the game will not be present at this show and will instead be reserved for a bigger event down the line.
After Nintendo innovated and popularized its Nintendo Direct concept, it was only a matter of time before the other big companies got in on the action. Various developers and publishers have hosted their own Nintendo Direct-style presentations, and so it's not surprising that Microsoft is getting in on the action now. If the rumored showcase is indeed taking place on January 25 as the Windows Central report indicates, hopefully an official confirmation comes sooner rather than later.
It could be a coincidence, but Xbox executive Aaron Greenberg recently teased that this week would be a "fun" one for Xbox fans, so perhaps the showcase announcement will be made in a matter of days.
Source: Windows Central