Xbox Developer Direct
{{Short description|Livestream events produced by Microsoft Gaming}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Xbox Developer_Direct
| logo = Xbox Developer Direct logo.png
| logo_size = 240
| logo_caption = Logo since 2024
| status = Active
| genre = Video game livestream event
| frequency = Annually
| years_active = 2023–present
| first = {{start date|2023|1|25}}
| last = {{end date|2025|1|23}}
| next =
| organised = Microsoft Gaming
}}
Xbox Developer Direct (stylized as Developer_Direct) is a series of livestream events produced by Microsoft Gaming to showcase upcoming first-party content from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King.{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2023-01-11 |title=Microsoft announces Xbox Developer_Direct game show for January 25th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/11/22319131/microsoft-xbox-event-developer-direct-date |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Verge |language=en}} The livestreams also include third-party titles.{{Cite web |last=Pureza |first=Gabriel Machado |date=2024-01-18 |title=Square Enix Makes Surprise Appearance at Xbox Developer Direct |url=https://gamerant.com/square-enix-xbox-developer-direct-visions-of-mana-release-window/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} The Developer Direct usually takes place at the beginning of each year in January.{{Cite web |last=Bošnjak |first=Dominik |date=2024-01-06 |title=Rumor: Xbox Developer Direct Possibly Happening This Month |url=https://gamerant.com/xbox-developer-direct-january-2024-week-rumor/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}
History
Xbox Developer Direct was founded as part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enhance communication and engagement with gamers worldwide.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=Xbox's Developer_Direct is their most important showcase ever |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/xbox-bethesda-developer-direct-importance-consistency/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}} Prior to Devolder Direct, some critics argued that Xbox needed to have a showcase to establish "brand identity" and differentiate themselves from other competitors. Additionally, there were suggestions that Xbox should be more transparent regarding the development of their video games.
The first showcase was announced on January 11, 2023, and took place on January 25, 2023. Developer Direct has evolved and expanded. Initially focusing on presentations from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, in 2024 the event series has grown to encompass a broader range of developers and publishers, including third-party titles.{{Cite web |author1=Zachary Boddy |date=2024-01-18 |title=Square Enix steals the spotlight with Visions of Mana at the Xbox Developer_Direct 2024 |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/square-enix-steals-the-spotlight-with-visions-of-mana-at-the-xbox-developer_direct-2024 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2024-01-18 |title=Xbox Developer Direct 2024: Everything Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-developer-direct-2024-everything-announced |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=IGN |language=en}} Following Microsoft Gaming's strategic pivot towards multiplatform publishing in 2024, the January 2025 installment of Xbox Developer Direct was the first presentation to advertise the availability of Xbox's first-party titles on platforms outside Microsoft's ecosystem, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and Doom: The Dark Ages on PlayStation 5. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed the following month that all Microsoft Gaming showcases going forward would be transparent about the availability of their games on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2025-02-17 |title='I Know It's Not What Everybody Else Is Doing' — Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Will Keep on Putting PlayStation and Nintendo Logos in Microsoft Showcases |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/i-know-its-not-what-everybody-else-is-doing-xbox-boss-phil-spencer-will-keep-on-putting-playstation-and-nintendo-logos-in-microsoft-showcases |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Xbox Showcases Will Now Have PlayStation And Nintendo Logos |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-showcases-will-now-have-playstation-and-nintendo-logos/1100-6529535/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}
Format
Each Xbox Developer Direct event typically features a combination of announcements, trailers, gameplay reveals, and developer interviews. These presentations offer audiences a look into upcoming games, downloadable content (DLC), expansion packs, updates, and other relevant developments.{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Jez Corden last |date=2023-01-12 |title=Why Microsoft's Developer_Direct is the perfect modern show format Xbox needs |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/why-microsofts-developer_direct-is-the-perfect-modern-show-format-xbox-needs |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Windows Central |language=en}} The format allows developers to showcase their games directly to fans and consumers and announce brand-new video game content.{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2024-01-19 |title=Reaction: Xbox Developer Direct 2024 Proved That Microsoft's New Format Really Works |url=https://www.purexbox.com/features/reaction-xbox-developer-direct-2024-proved-that-microsofts-new-format-really-works |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Sam LoveridgeContributions from Rollin Bishop last |date=2024-01-18 |title=Everything announced at the Xbox Developer Direct 2024 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/news/live/xbox-developer-direct-2024-live-coverage/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}
List of events
Alongside the Xbox Developer Direct livestreams, other Xbox events without the "Xbox Developer Direct" branding are listed.
= Xbox Developer Direct =
= Xbox Games Showcase =
The Xbox Games Showcase debuted in 2021 as a joint presentation between Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, before being rebranded to reflect the expanded Microsoft Gaming group.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=2021-06-13 |title=Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase: 20+ Day One Games with Xbox Game Pass |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/06/13/xbox-bethesda-showcase-20-day-one-games-with-xbox-game-pass/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}} The showcase similarly recurs annually during the summer season, and features a mix of previously announced and new titles from across Microsoft Gaming's subsidiaries and an array of third-party partners.{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Will |date=2021-06-13 |title=Xbox Unveils its Biggest Exclusive Games Lineup Ever |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/06/13/xbox-and-bethesda-games-showcase-recap-2021/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=2022-06-12 |title=Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase Recap 2022 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/06/12/xbox-bethesda-games-showcase-recap/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}} Since 2023, Xbox Games Showcase has been directly followed by a dedicated "Direct" presentation specifically focused on an upcoming game from Xbox's first-party studios.{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2023-05-03 |title=Get Ready for the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct Double Feature Airing June 11 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/05/03/xbox-games-showcase-starfield-direct-june-11/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}
= Xbox Partner Preview =
Xbox Partner Preview debuted in 2023 as a shorter presentation of previously announced and newly debuted upcoming titles, coming to Xbox platforms from third-party publishers.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=2023-10-23 |title=Xbox Partner Preview: See What's Next From Our Incredible Third-Party Publishing Partners |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/10/23/xbox-partner-preview-announce/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}
= Xbox Tokyo Game Show =
Since 2021, an Xbox presentation has aired in conjunction with the annually scheduled Tokyo Game Show in September, highlighting a slate of upcoming games from Microsoft Gaming's studios, Japanese third-party publishers, and select independent developers.{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Will |date=2021-09-30 |title=Tokyo Game Show 2021 Recap: Xbox Cloud Gaming Launches in Japan |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/09/30/xbox-at-tokyo-game-show-2021-recap/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=2022-08-31 |title=The Xbox Stream is Back for Tokyo Game Show 2022 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/08/31/xbox-stream-is-back-tokyo-game-show-2022/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Rich |date=2023-09-08 |title=Tokyo Game Show 2023: Xbox Digital Broadcast Returns |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/09/07/xbox-tokyo-game-show-2023/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2024-09-06 |title=Asian Games in the Spotlight: The Xbox Broadcast Returns to TGS 2024 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/09/05/xbox-tokyo-game-show-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}
See also
References
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