Rumors are swirling about a potential delay for one of Xbox’s high-profile first-party games initially slated for release in 2025. Following a strong showing in 2024 with titles like Ninja Theory’s much-anticipated Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Xbox set a high bar for its first-party lineup. The latter game, despite missing the 2024 Game Awards cutoff, garnered critical and player acclaim, solidifying its position as one of the year’s standout titles.
Xbox’s roadmap for 2025 began to take shape during the Summer Game Fest showcase in June. The event confirmed 2025 release windows for Playground Games’ Fable reboot, Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight, and Bethesda’s newly unveiled Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Gears of War: E-Day and inXile’s Clockwork Revolution entered the 2025 conversation through rumors, while Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2 was officially assigned a 2025 window during The Game Awards 2024, following a fresh trailer reveal.
However, during Giant Bomb’s 2024 Game Awards livestream, industry insider Jeff Grubb revealed that one of Xbox’s planned 2025 titles has been pushed to 2026. Although Grubb did not confirm which game, he speculated that it could be The Initiative’s Perfect Dark reboot. This game, which made an appearance at Xbox’s June showcase with its first gameplay reveal, did not receive a release window, aligning with reports of its turbulent development history. Given these challenges, Perfect Dark always seemed more likely to land in 2026 or beyond, suggesting it was never seriously considered for a 2025 release.
Grubb further stated that The Outer Worlds 2 was moved up to 2025 to fill the gap left by the delayed title. Among the potential candidates, Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment appears unlikely to have been delayed, as it is on track for a February release after an earlier postponement. Similarly, South of Midnight seems a secure bet for 2025, especially following its detailed gameplay showcase a few weeks ago.
Between Fable and Doom: The Dark Ages, the former seems the more probable candidate for a delay. While some gameplay snippets from Fable have been shared, the game was already rumored for a late 2025 release, making a push to 2026 feasible. Conversely, Doom: The Dark Ages showcased high-energy gameplay that suggests it’s further along in development. Other possibilities include Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution if their rumored 2025 timelines prove accurate.
Xbox fans might not have to wait long for clarity. If Xbox continues its tradition of hosting a Developer Direct in late January, the event could spotlight titles like South of Midnight and Doom: The Dark Ages, potentially providing insight into which game has been delayed. Such an announcement would help set expectations for Xbox’s ambitious 2025 first-party slate while keeping fans informed about the shifting landscape of its upcoming releases.
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