After Xbox Recreation Studios boss Matt Booty teased the return of Microsoft’s now-annual Xbox Developer Direct showcase final month, the writer has now confirmed the small print. The 2026 Dev Direct will air reside on Thursday, January 22 at 10am PT. You possibly can watch it reside right here on IGN or on IGN’s YouTube channel.
Booty had already confirmed the presence of achieved Xbox Recreation Studios developer Playground Video games on the occasion, and now we all know for sure that each its upcoming blockbusters shall be proven: Forza Horizon 6 and Fable.
On condition that each are anticipated to launch this yr and they’re two of Xbox’s greatest first-party choices – and that we have but to see correct gameplay from both one – we’re due a correct have a look at gameplay. And that, in keeping with Microsoft’s announcement this morning, is strictly what we’ll get.
Additionally featured within the showcase shall be Beast of Reincarnation, the upcoming motion RPG from Pokémon developer Recreation Freak that was introduced in the course of the Xbox Showcase occasion in June final yr.
There is no affirmation of some other video games below the Microsoft umbrella being included, reminiscent of Gears of Warfare: E-Day, the prequel that is bringing again Delta Squad to the time interval earlier than Emergence Day; or Halo: Marketing campaign Advanced, the Unreal Engine 5-based remake of the unique Halo’s marketing campaign. I performed it, if you would like to learn or watch my first impressions.
Usually Microsoft does embrace not less than one shock title, nevertheless. May this be the place we get a glimpse on the newly-leaked Life is Unusual: Reunion? It is maybe value noting that the franchise’s earlier sport Life is Unusual: Double Publicity was unveiled again in the course of the Xbox Showcase in June 2024.
For extra on what stands to be a really busy yr for Microsoft, try my What to Anticipate From Xbox in 2026 piece, and be a part of us each Thursday for a brand new episode of Podcast Unlocked.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s government editor of previews and host of each IGN’s weekly Xbox present, Podcast Unlocked, in addition to our month-to-month(-ish) interview present, IGN Unfiltered. He is a North Jersey man, so it is “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
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