What Is Xbox’s Identity in 2025?

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The latest Xbox Developer Direct has failed to make a lasting impression, appearing rather uneventful upon reflection. While the resurfacing of Koei Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden was intriguing, there wasn’t much groundbreaking information about the future of Xbox presented. This leaves us questioning what the brand’s role will be in 2025, a question that some might say has been lingering for quite some time.

Currently, the company is primarily recognized for acquiring other companies but not significantly developing their acquired assets. Many enthusiasts often cite the underwhelming management of Rare, who were previously renowned for producing exceptional games on the Nintendo 64. Since then, the company has struggled to reach those same highs again. Sea of Thieves is the standout exception, having gained such popularity that it’s now available on PS5.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for new releases from Double Fine since their fantastic platformer, Psychonauts 2, dropped in 2019. Recently, Ninja Theory unveiled Hellblade 2, which garnered mixed reactions, yet many fans appreciated the developers’ transparency about it being a shorter game. Compared to Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, they don’t always restrict their releases to exclusive platforms.

As a passionate gamer, I found myself deeply invested in the vibrant world of Hi-Fi Rush, created by the talented team at Tango Gameworks. The game breathed life into its universe, captivating us all with its unique charm and engaging mechanics. Unfortunately, despite their successful creation, Microsoft decided to dismantle Tango Gameworks. This decision left many of us yearning for more titles in this vein.

Thankfully, Tango was rescued from the brink. However, the current lack of any projects similar to Hi-Fi Rush being developed by Microsoft is a letdown that echoes through the gaming community. Here’s to hoping we get another dose of the magic that made Hi-Fi Rush so special someday!

To be fair, the company is striving to create unique games. Although there might be criticisms regarding their Direct, they did unveil South of Midnight. Despite the negative comments from some overzealous fans, this appears to offer a high-quality gaming experience, and it’s refreshing to see something novel coming from the studio.

Apart from this, people are curious as to why such a large publisher has reduced the frequency of Xbox franchise releases. Last year, we got a glimpse of Gears of War: E-Day and it looks fantastic, but its absence in this event was disheartening. Similarly, the revamped Perfect Dark looked stunning, so it was regrettable that there wasn’t a fresh trailer for the shooter game.

A more sorrowful tale unfolds for the Xbox RPG, Fable. We’ve barely had a glimpse with just a few trailers, yet its prolonged silence without any new updates is puzzling. It’s even more disheartening given that this is the first confirmed installment in the series following some cancellations and the de-listing of older games like Fable 3 on PC.

Although the Direct presentation showcased intriguing games such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it’s important to note that these titles are designed for multiple platforms, meaning they can be played on PS5. Similarly, Doom: The Dark Ages, whose release date has been leaked, is also a multi-platform game. As the presentations continue, they seem less like exclusive Xbox events and more like compilation videos featuring notable video games.

Essentially, Xbox should decide on its core focus. Is their goal to primarily offer a game streaming service like Game Pass? Given that they are developing games for PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, it seems they may have broader aspirations.

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2025-01-27 19:42