Xbox Developer Direct 2024: A Showcase of Upcoming Microsoft-Published Games

The Xbox Developer Direct 2024 was an exciting event for gaming enthusiasts, showcasing a selection of forthcoming Microsoft-published games. The livestream began at 12pm PT, 3pm ET, and 8pm UK, and for those unable to attend, the key information about the games in question was provided below.

The first game on the agenda was Blizzard’s Diablo 4, which saw the announcement of the Season of the Construct questline and areas, as well as numerous quality-of-life updates and new features. Although some at RPS towers may not be clamoring for more Diablo right now, the flashy cinematic trailers are always a treat.

Next up was Oxide’s Ara: History Untold, a simultaneous-turn 4X strategy game that has faced multiple-year headaches regarding how to execute the concept without leaving players in a state of confusion. Oxide’s chief graphics architect Dan Baker also expressed his dreams of one day creating a baking sim.

Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II followed, which is set in Iceland and continues to explore mental illness, with an abundance of kneecap-based executions. The original Hellblade was well-received, and with Ninja Theory having more resources at their disposal this time, the game could be quite special.

Obsidian’s first-person fantasy RPG Avowed was also featured, which was originally pitched as a co-op RPG but pivoted to single player around eight months ago. The game was conceived as a Skyrim-like experience but will seemingly be more story-driven and less about open-world exploration.

Lastly, MachineGames’ Indiana Jones adaptation was announced, which is likely to be titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The team behind Wolfenstein: The New Colossus is developing the game, which bodes well given their Nazi-splatting pedigree. However, the success of the game will largely depend on the quality of the Indiana Jones character model.

A 2024 update stream for The Elder Scrolls Online followed the main Xbox Developer Direct livestream, introducing a new chapter to the long-toothed MMO that picks up the thread from last year’s Necrom Chapter. The new region is rumored to be Valenwood, home to the Bosmer or Wood Elves.

No new information on Activision Blizzard King games was shared during the event. Instead, fans can look forward to news from those teams later in the year. There were also no surprise releases during the stream, with all the games in question arriving later with more details to be shared in the program.

So, what are you most looking forward to? Are you calling Doctor Jones or are you all aboard Senua’s helltrain of dismembery depression or are you Team Sky-rip-off or do you dream of histories untold? These things I must know. We will, of course, be writing up any and all big announcements individually.

In addition to the Xbox Developer Direct 2024, there were two other Microsoft marketing bonanzas hitting the internet that day. The first was Blizzard’s Diablo 4 Developer Update at 9am PT, 12pm ET, and 5pm UK, which provided updates on the action-RPG’s recently announced Season of the Construct questline and areas, as well as numerous quality-of-life updates and new features.

The second was an update stream for The Elder Scrolls Online at 1pm PT, 4pm ET, and 9pm UK, which followed directly on from the main Xbox Developer Direct livestream and introduced a new chapter to the long-toothed MMO that picks up the thread from last year’s Necrom Chapter. The new region is rumored to be Valenwood, home to the Bosmer or Wood Elves.

It’s an exciting time for gaming, and the Xbox Developer Direct 2024 provided a tantalizing glimpse into the future of Microsoft’s publishing lineup. Whether you’re a fan of RPGs, strategy games, or action titles, there’s something for everyone in this impressive lineup. So, which game are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!