Xbox confirmed that its next Xbox Developer Direct is scheduled for January 2026, and Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty told Variety the show will be “huge” while also noting there is more coming next year than can fit into a single presentation.
In the interview, Booty said the Developer Direct will highlight what Xbox has planned for the year and specifically confirmed Playground Games will appear. He framed 2026 as a busy year for the platform, pointing to several anniversary milestones across Microsoft-owned franchises and partners, including Xbox’s 25th anniversary, Bethesda’s 40th, Blizzard’s 35th, and three decades since the first Diablo. Booty also referenced the announced Halo Remastered collection as one of the items Xbox will discuss.
Booty discussed external projects as well, praising Taylor Sheridan as a writer for the developing Call of Duty film and saying the team believes his approach to characters and story fits their vision for the project. Variety carried Booty’s comments; readers can review the full interview on Variety for direct quotes and additional context. We previously ran a previous Developer Direct report that collected early signs Xbox might stage a January showcase and another piece covering scheduling details appeared on the site around the same time.
Fans should expect the January show to focus on next-year release windows, anniversary content, and at least one first-party studio update from Playground Games. Follow updates about the Xbox Developer Direct on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
