In the early hours of this morning, Xbox and Bethesda hosted the Developer Direct, a digital presentation showcasing several upcoming games. Forza Motorsport, Minecraft Legends, and Redfall featured throughout, while Ghostwire Tokyo developer Tango Gameworks simultaneously revealed and launched a surprise game: Hi-Fi Rush.
Like many presentations hosted by major game companies, the Developer Direct contained loads of new footage, release dates, and tasty morsels to consume. Here’s everything you need to know in one handy location.
Developer Direct: trailers, news, and a surprise release
Hi-Fi Rush is a bright music-based game that’s out right now
Arguably the biggest surprise from the Developer Direct was Hi-Fi Rush. Yesterday, it hasn’t even been announced, and it’s now not only public information but available for everyone to play. From Tango Gameworks, known for their work on spooky supernatural titles like Ghostwire Tokyo and The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush is a significant departure from the studio’s reputation.
Referred to as “an over-the-top, single-player rhythm action game”, Hi-Fi Rush features a vibrant setting where everything takes place to the beat of the music. Performing combat moves in time with the music amplifies its power as you play as Chai, a wannabe rockstar.
Easily the coolest part of Hi-Fi Rush is its soundtrack: the likes of Nine Inch Nails and The Black Keys headline the licensed rock music on display. Just as nice, the game is out now on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Game Pass subscription service in addition to Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Minecraft Legends launch date confirmed, fresh gameplay trailer
Out on 18 April, Minecraft Legends is an action-strategy game based on the wildly popular Minecraft sandbox game. Made by Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive, it’ll feature a story campaign filled with characters new and old, along with plenty of treasure to loot and dangers to overcome.
Plus, for the competitive types, Minecraft Legends also features a player-versus-player (PvP) mode where two teams of up to four players take each other on. Here, you collect resources and build a base, all while trying to take down your opposition. Another Game Pass title for Xbox and Windows PC players, Minecraft Legends is also coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.
Redfall shows off its vampire-hunting open world, confirms launch date
One of the most anticipated games of 2023, the Developer Direct gave us a deep-dive look Redfall from Arkane Austin, known for 2017’s Prey reboot. A story-driven first-person shooter with solo and multiplayer gameplay, Redfall tasks you with cleaning up the streets of vampires while uncovering their secrets.
Up to four of you can cooperate on the vampire-slaying action, which also includes character customisation and an open world that encourages exploration, as Arkane games are known for. Redfall launches on 2 May for Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC, available to Game Pass subscribers at no additional cost.
The Elder Scrolls Online gets two big content updates in Morrowind
For 2023, the massively multiplayer online game (MMO) The Elder Scrolls Online will focus on the series’ famous Morrowind locale as part of The Shadow Over Morrowind adventure. However, this time around, the two major downloadable content packs shown during the Developer Direct take place in settings not seen since 1994.
Up first is the Scribes of Fate DLC, adding two new dungeons for groups of four players to take on. This one launches soon, on 13 March for PC and Mac players, with the Xbox and PlayStation release on 28 March.
Following Scribes of Fate is a 30-hour story content pack called the Necrom chapter. This opens up two new big areas to explore in Eastern Morrowind alongside two new companion characters. Excitingly, this DLC adds an entirely new class to play as: the Arcanist. The Elder Scrolls Online‘s seventh playable class, the Arcanist wields ancient magic capable of attacking and defending, while supporting allies. Necrom launches on 5 June for PC and Mac players, followed by the PlayStation and Xbox launch on 20 June.
Developer Direct doesn’t reveal a date for Forza Motorsport
Unfortunately, we still don’t know exactly when Turn 10 Studio’s latest hardcore racing sim, Forza Motorsport will be out. What we do know, however, is that it’s meant to be sometime this year. What we did get to see was a trailer showing off some flashy footage and insights into how the developers are making a hyper-realistic game.
When Forza Motorsport does indeed launch, it’ll include a new online racing mode and a single-player career with a focus on car building. The game is confirmed for Game Pass across Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud Gaming.
All in all, the Developer Direct gave plenty of time for the developers to talk through their impressive-looking creations. There are some exciting things coming in the first half of 2023 from Xbox and Bethesda, capped off by the nice surprise of Hi-Fi Rush.
