Xbox dropped a Developer Direct and gave us a peek at some big 2025 releases. New action titles, narrative RPGs, and updates to existing franchises are on the docket—and fans are hyped.

But if you’re running an indie studio or gaming-adjacent business? Pay attention to the gaps. Microsoft’s roadmap tells you what they aren’t focusing on—narrative depth, nostalgia, or niche mechanics. That’s where smaller players can make a dent.

My peeps building tools for gamers or dev workflows—watch this space. Big studios swing wide. You can hit precise. That’s how you win in crowded markets.