Apart from one brief advertisement, Microsoft was conspicuously absent from December's The Game Awards ceremony, which is one of the main venues for major game announcements and trailer reveals.

Seems they're doing their own thing - a new Microsoft games livestream they've called Developer_Direct. The first will take place on January 26 at 9 a.m. (AEDT).

This is not entirely surprising.

Prior to the pandemic, several major developers (Electronic Arts and Sony) had withdrawn from the annual E3 (Electronics Entertainment Expo / Experience), which for many years had been the premiere gaming event.

For a variety of reasons but key among them is that video livestreaming drastically changes the gaming communication landscape.

Developers don't need to rely on gaming journalists and / or gamers attending major events and publishing articles for consumers.

They can present their own products directly to consumers without needing to compete and pay for limited time at events.

During the pandemic live events, including E3, couldn't be held.

Virtual events and other digital avenues capably managed.

Enter Developer_Direct.

This first one will include upcoming open world vampire-hunter shooter, Redfall:

The minds behind Dishonored and Prey, Arkane Austin, will showcase several minutes of gameplay from their upcoming FPS. The Developer_Direct will reveal single and multiplayer gameplay, showing more of how you and your friends will take down bloodthirsty Vampires on the picturesque island of Redfall, Massachusetts. Fans can expect to learn more about combat, customization, bosses, the open world, and more.

Starfield?

No, but they promise a standalone deep dive is coming.

Redfall and Starfield are scheduled to release in the first half of this year on PC and XBox X|S.

[ Main Image: Microsoft - Developer_Direct. Credit: Microsoft. ]

References

Xbox.com (January 11, 2023). Xbox and Bethesda to Present Developer_Direct Livestream on January 25.

Wikipedia. E3. (viewed January 12, 2023)