As the year shapes up to a line-up of exciting games to be expected in 2024, a new rumor has brought about details of an important upcoming Xbox Dev Direct. This event will showcase new titles and also include a shadow drop by Double Fine, the creators behind Psychonauts.
While this is not an official confirmation by any means, the internet user holds a reputation for revealing insider game and event details and the new rumour seems to be gathering the attention of hundreds of people. Moreover, players can expect the event to arrive on January 25, 12 PM ET.
Xbox Dev Direct will host a new IP by the makers of Psychonauts
Based on the words of an insider on Twitter, eXtas1stv has some news for Xbox fans. The tweet reveals details about when the event may happen, what kind of games will be covered and the particular shadow drop players can expect. There’s no mention of Game Pass, but Xbox exclusivity seems to be the topic of conversation.
While the tweet is in Spanish, here’s a quick translation of important information:
At this upcoming event, expect fascinating presentations with news about the titles already announced, giving players a look behind the curtain. some of the most anticipated projects (Hellblade, Towerborne…etc).
The user goes on to speak about a particular shadow drop in specific, by the creative minds at Double Fine:
I am told that during this event, we could witness a new “Shadowdrop” or surprise release, with the game being available at the same event or even several weeks later.
Here’s where things get interesting. This new game apparently resembles the size of Hi-Fi Rush, another great title that was released on Game Pass early last year. The user claims that the game is highly similar.
🔥👀 ¡BREAKING!💥🤯
— eXtas1s #Xbox📍#ActivisionBlizzard #Bethesda (@eXtas1stv) January 3, 2024
Xbox está preparando el escenario para un nuevo evento ¿Developer Direct?, siguiendo los pasos del exitoso inicio de 2023. En este próximo evento, se esperan presentaciones fascinantes con novedades sobre los títulos ya anunciados, brindando a los jugadores… pic.twitter.com/8vNgVCbtEt
There’s a speculation that this game is called Kiln, and is a brand new title by Derek Brand, the artist behind the popular Psychonaut games. According to the official website, this is a multiplayer game that focuses on creativity and destruction.
What can players expect from the shadow drop?
If the rumors are true, a game by Double Fine is to be expected during the event. There’s a chance that the game will arrive on Game Pass, but all of this should be taken with a grain of salt. Now, focusing on the game itself; Kiln seems to be mixing up multiple genres that mix creative freedom with destructibility within 3D environments.
Essentially, you’ll be playing as a Mountain Spirit. These are supernatural beings that are always at war. The gameplay mechanics revolve around using a pottery wheel to create golems called Vessels. These golems are warriors who take part in the war and represent your tactics in a way.
Clearly, the creativity reflected in how versatile these Vessels can be may shift the tides of battle based on how you sculpt them. The team-based gameplay makes things even more cooperative.
This 6-year-old video showcases the concept art and ideation behind the game. A title that’s been quite a while in the making does show the potential for Xbox players to cherish. An exclusive title may just add a flair of fun at the beginning of 2024.
Given the game’s mechanics and uniqueness, it’s clear that the experience is going to balance chaotic movement and creativity with a lot of battle tactics and team-based action. Usually, these elements are found in turn-based games, but Kiln is taking a different approach.
If you explore the developers’ YouTube channel, you’ll find more videos to do with live streams where the creators have been trying new mechanics and showing off what Kiln will play and feel like. So far, the game seems to be a fun take on multiplayer combat with a creative twist that will challenge players in different ways.
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