What does it say? “We are working hard towards the 25th anniversary. Thank you for your support.” If you run the numbers again, you’ll realize that he’s referring to 2027 and almost certainly talking about Kingdom Hearts 4. What about this year? Your guess is as good as ours.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean no new details about the sequel in 2026, some fans aren’t taking it so well. In fact, some have pointed out the lack of communication over recent years. As noted by @ImanIman77502, “Telling me you’re working hard towards the 25th anniversary means we ain’t getting anything until the 25th anniversary. Which would be 5 YEARS after you initially announced it.”

@Uxian_’s post seems to share the same sentiment, posting a GIF of Mickey Mouse slicing an ultra-thin piece of bread. @YUNGJEFF was much more explicit, sharing an image of an emoji begging, perhaps for more details. Whichever way you want to slice it, there definitely hasn’t been much information on the sequel, even after all these years.

But hey, Kingdom Hearts 3 followed the same pattern for the longest time, and it was eventually released. Perhaps we’ll see a proper blowout next year. If nothing else, Nomura said last September that development is “progressing well and according to schedule,” so it’s certainly not in limbo. As always, stay tuned for more updates.

As caught by social media user Genki_JPN, Nomura said that it’s “going very smoothly. The announcement timing has been decided and we will stick to that schedule, so please rest assured and wait.” As for Kingdom Hearts 4, Nomura noted that it “is also progressing well and according to schedule.” These statements were made because Square Enix was expected to have some news about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 by now.

Kingdom Hearts 4 was originally announced back in 2022. Since then, however, aside from a few comments by Nomura here and there, things have largely been quiet. Back in January, Nomura celebrated the 15th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep by talking about some of the themes of the title, and how Kingdom Hearts 4 might carry over some of the same themes in its own story.

“The first time a crossroads appears in Kingdom Hearts is in [Chain of Memories], which is about losing something to gain something,” said Nomura. “And in fact, all subsequent appearances of crossroads have the same significance.” He then follows this up by talking about the Faustian bargain that takes place in Kingdom Hearts 3 between the Lost Masters also meeting up at crossroads. “But wait… when the Lost Masters gather at the crossroads in Kingdom Hearts 3, what is gained and what is lost? That’s a story for another time.”

Talking about a video Square Enix had released to celebrate Birth by Sleep, Nomura spoke about how the video also featured important characters from the Kingdom Hearts series near a crossroads. “In this video, three Keyblade wielders clad in armour wait for someone at a crossroads Meeting someone at a crossroads is actually a recurring motif in Kingdom Hearts. At the beginning of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (CoM), Sora meets someone in a black coat and is invited to Castle Oblivion.”

Voice actor Zach Pokres revealed back in May that he had been working with Square Enix on an RPG over the last year. Among the projects noted by Pokres is Kingdom Hearts 4, which he noted that he got special permission from the publisher to mention.

“These are just projects all in the last YEAR,” posted Pokres, with one of the projects listed being Kingdom Hearts 4. “All high-quality projects/have taken over the industry. I’m in studio rosters that most people would DREAM of being in, all without an agent and just always pushing.”

As for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, the third title in the series seemingly kicked off voice acting work back in April.

“These are just projects all in the last YEAR,” posted Pokres, with one of the projects listed being Kingdom Hearts 4. “All high-quality projects/have taken over the industry. I’m in studio rosters that most people would DREAM of being in, all without an agent and just always pushing.”

“Like anyone, I started off small. Doing grunt VA work and casting calls and I spent years before and after ‘fame’ to make a name for myself as not only a VA, but a person just putting themselves out there every step of the way.”

Pokres did mention that he got specific permission from Square Enix to include the mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 in his post, alongside other titles he has worked on including MiSide and Indigo Park. When it comes to Kingdom Hearts 4, however, it is currently unknown which character he will be voicing.

Voice work typically tends to be some of the last work that is done on a game in development terms, well after animations, programming, and other aspects have been taken care of. Typically, this is to reduce the number of times a voice actor would have to be called back into the studio because of changes in scripts. While we can’t quite be sure about what this means for the development progress of Kingdom Hearts 4, Pokres’ post might indicate that we are close to seeing Square Enix make an official announcement.

Back in January, franchise director Tetsuya Nomura had teased some of the themes we would see in Kingdom Hearts 4. In a post on X celebrating the 15th anniversary of the franchise, Nomura said that Kingdom Hearts 4 would include crossroads as one of the core themes of its story.

“In this video, three Keyblade wielders clad in armour wait for someone at a crossroads,” he posted, referring to a teaser for Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep that was included as a secret movie in Kingdom Hearts 2. “Meeting someone at a crossroads is actually a recurring motif in Kingdom Hearts.”

“The first time a crossroads appears in Kingdom Hearts is in [Chain of Memories], which is about losing something to gain something,” Nomura continued. “And in fact, all subsequent appearances of crossroads have the same significance.”

More recently, Square Enix had announced that it was cancelling the development of smartphone game Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link. The company said that this was done because “It would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period, leading us to the decision to cancel development.”

Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced all the way back in April 2022. The game doesn’t yet have a release date.

However, it eventually realized, “It would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period, leading us to the decision to cancel development.”

The development team is “hard at work” on the next installment in the series, Kingdom Hearts 4. Announced in April 2022 along with Missing-Link, the sequel is developed on Unreal Engine 5. Further information like platforms, a release window, and so on remain unconfirmed.

Though the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link may be surprising, Square Enix has a reputation for launching mobile titles and shutting down support soon after. These include Echoes of Mana, Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights, and Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier.

As for the future of its business, Square Enix recently announced a three-year reboot plan focusing on a new R&D division for AI-focused development tools. It also reemphasized its multiplatform approach and will continue cancelling projects that aren’t progressing at the desired rate. Head here for more details.

“Apparently, the plan is to release my comment alongside the teaser trailer for BBS from the secret movie in Kingdom Hearts 2,” says Nomura. “So, taking my cue from that video, I’d like to give you an insight into the crossroads.”

According to Nomura, the concept of crossroads where people wait for someone else is a major part of the themes of Kingdom Hearts, with the concept appearing several times throughout the franchise. Notable examples include three Keyblade wielders waiting for someone at a crossroads in the celebration video, as well as Sora meeting a character dressed in a black coat and getting an invitation to Castle Oblivion in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.

“In this video, three Keyblade wielders clad in armour wait for someone at a crossroads,” he says. “Meeting someone at a crossroads is actually a recurring motif in Kingdom Hearts.”

“At the beginning of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (CoM), Sora meets someone in a black coat and is invited to Castle Oblivion.”

Nomura goes on to talk about various characters encountering protagonists at crossroads, and somehow being linked with each other by fate. The concept of crossroads even leads to the Keyblade War, and Kingdom Hearts 3 gets in on the action with the Lost Masters gathering at crossroads. Nomura cites a myth from American folklore of a young man making a deal with the devil to trade his soul for the ability to play the guitar at a crossroads.

“The first time a crossroads appears in Kingdom Hearts is in CoM, which is about losing something to gain something,” says Nomura. “And in fact, all subsequent appearances of crossroads have the same significance.”

Nomura then hints towards a similar Faustian bargain taking place in Kingdom Hearts 3 with the Lost Masters meeting up at crossroads.

“But wait… when the Lost Masters gather at the crossroads in KH3, what is gained and what is lost? That’s a story for another time,” Nomura concludes.

Despite continuing these themes of crossroads across several Kingdom Hearts games, and potentially even in Kingdom Hearts 4, Nomura has previously stated that the next title will serve as a reset button for the franchise. This is to help new players get into the games without being overwhelmed with more than two decades worth of backstory.

Since the original announcement of Kingdom Hearts 4 from all the way back in 2022, Square Enix has been quiet about the title. Rumours, on the other hand, have indicated that the game might be set for release later this year. Neither Nomura nor Square Enix have made any official announcement, however.

Among the few details we know about Kingdom Hearts 4 is the fact that it is being developed in Unreal Engine 5. Square Enix has mentioned that this will help the game be several levels higher than its predecessors when it comes to the quality of lighting and detail.

pic.twitter.com/KmxbWSPDBh

— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) January 9, 2025

Speaking recently with Japanese outlet Young Jump, creative director and series mastermind Tetsuya Nomura explained that Kingdom Hearts 4 (as well as mobile title Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link) is being designed as a “reset” that will be easier for new players to get into.

“I do think of Missing Link and 4 as a reset,” Nomura said (via GamesRadar). “I wanted to end it with 3, or rather reset it, so I appointed new writers and even made a new logo to make it easier for new people to get into it.”

Nomura went on to say that the action RPG will still serve as a follow-up to Kingdom Hearts 3, but though existing fans will find the connective tissue, he says the hope is that more new players will be able to hop in this time.

“For those who know how Kingdom Hearts 3 ends, the reason why Sora ends up like that in the ending is because we wanted to reset the story in a way,” Nomura said (via @aitaikimochi on Twitter). “This should make it even easier for newcomers to join the story starting from Kingdom Hearts 4. Fans of the Kingdom Hearts series will also be able to feel like, ‘oh so it’s THIS’, but we’re making this game with the hopes that new players can enjoy it as well.”

Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced in 2022, though details on it have been scarce since then. Leaks have previously claimed that it is targeting a 2025 release.

That’s as per Felipe Lima, editor-in-chief at Brazilian outlet Universo Nintendo, who recently claimed on Twitter that new information on Kingdom Hearts 4 will be shared at Disney’s annual D23 expo later this year. Prominent leaker Midori says she believes the same, but has been unable to concretely verify that information thus far.

D23 is set for August 9-11 in Anaheim, so if this information is indeed accurate, it’ll only be a couple of months until Square Enix and Disney finally share new details on Kingdom Hearts 4. A leak earlier in the year claimed that the game was targeting a 2025 release, so perhaps we could hear more about that as well.

I believe that we’ll see KH4 news in D23 later this year

— ‘Necro’ Felipe #UnivNintendo (@necrolipe) June 4, 2024

I think so too.
But I don’t have confirmed information right now.

— みどり (@MbKKssTBhz5) June 4, 2024

That’s as per Summer Game Fest creator, producer, and host Geoff Keighley himself. During a recent live Q&A session on Twitch, when prompted about the possibility of a Kingdom Hearts 4 showing at the upcoming event on June 7, Keighley quickly doused water on those hopes, saying that those who’re expecting to see the long-awaited action RPG at the event are “setting themselves up for failure.”

Some leaks have claimed that Kingdom Hearts 4, which was announced in 2022, is targeting a 2025 release, so speculation about an upcoming showing hasn’t been complete unfounded- though it doesn’t look at the game is going to get a showing at the upcoming Summer Game Fest, at the very least.

The showcase is shaping up to be a packed one nonetheless, with a number of major games having been confirmed for the event, including the likes of Metaphor: ReFantzio, Monster Hunter Wilds, and a major new game by 2K. Leaks have claimed that PlayStation will also be making further first-party announcements.

Silent Hill 2 Remake Release Date

Whether it’s posters allegedly showing up in GameStop, the ESRB rating the title or Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb reporting an appearance at the rumored PlayStation Showcase and The Snitch seemingly corroborating, Silent Hill 2’s time is nigh. Bloober Team’s remake could get new gameplay and a release date, with CEO Piotr Babieno outright saying last month that the latter is happening “soon”. Based on all the evidence, launching this Fall or Winter wouldn’t be surprising. Perhaps in time for the constantly rumored…

PS5 Pro Reveal

With nearly everything about it leaked save for the design and price, it’s almost a given that Sony could finally unveil the PS5 Pro. The release window is still a bit iffy – Grubb reported a September 2024 release, while Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson indicated a Holiday launch, potentially slipping due to the lack of big first-party titles before claiming a Fall release window. Either way, with an alleged 28 percent more memory bandwidth, 33.5 TFLOPs GPU and support for Sony’s new supersampling tech, it could make a splash if Silent Hill 2 remake is a showcase title. As for when it could be announced, the PlayStation Showcase makes sense, but it could very well be at the Sony Corporate Group Meeting occurring soon.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Release Date and New Gameplay

Along with the Silent Hill 2 remake, PlayStation did this wonderful thing in January, where it outright said Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is coming in 2024. There’s been no denial from Konami nor acceptance, only the assurance last March that development is going well, thank you for asking, etc. However, it also promised an upcoming video presentation with “bigger announcements.” What better time than this Summer to provide an updated gameplay reveal and release date?

Ghost of Tsushima 2 Announcement

There have been some rumors about Ghost of Tsushima 2, though nothing as of late as we approach Sony’s alleged PlayStation Showcase this month. Nevertheless, the time feels ripe, with Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut available on PC and the movie (directed by Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame) coming up. If it happens, expect limited to no gameplay and a potential release window in 2025.

Next Astro Bot Reveal

Of course, the other possible reveal is the next Astro Bot game. Team Asobi has been quiet since announcing work on its “most ambitious game yet”, and Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb reports that the new title could finally release this year (though he clubbed it in with Sony’s “smaller first-party titles”). The Snitch would seemingly corroborate its appearance at the next PlayStation Showcase, whenever it may be, so it could very well be Astro’s big break, especially with Sony not releasing any new titles for its bigger first-party franchises until April 2025 onwards.

God of War Ragnarok PC Announcement

Another seemingly inevitable announcement is God of War Ragnarok coming to PC. The rumor comes from none other than Dealabs’ billbil-kun, who has an impeccable record with leaks. They outright said an announcement is coming this month, adding more fire to rumors of a PlayStation Showcase this month. Regardless, given Sony’s habit of launching first-party titles on PC a few years after their PlayStation debuts, it would be surprising to see it out in 2024. Fingers crossed and whatnot.

Gears 6 Announcement

Speaking of “right timing,” Microsoft announcing the next Gears of War at its Xbox Games Showcase would be ideal in many ways. Fortunately, Grubb reported something happening this Summer with Gears 6. The Verge’s Tom Warren agreed and then outright said in a later report that there would be an announcement at the show. If that’s not enough, the voice of JD Fenix, actor Liam McIntyre, said on Twitter that Microsoft and The Coalition will “tell us all in June” regarding certain story spoilers.

Perfect Dark Gameplay Reveal

The Xbox Games Showcase could also mark an appearance for Perfect Dark. Announced in 2020 with nary a bit of gameplay or details since and plenty of concerning rumors and reports, insider Nate the Hate “fully expects” it to appear at the showcase (with Grubb also hearing that it could show up). That would fit with Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty being “cautiously confident” in June 2023 about a gameplay deep dive arriving by late 2024.

State of Decay 3 Gameplay Reveal

The other title potentially getting a deep dive is State of Decay 3, Undead Labs’ next chapter in the survival sandbox zombie series. Also announced in 2020 with little to no updates in terms of gameplay since, its developer saw allegations of negligence in 2022, which reportedly affected development. Nevertheless, Jez Corden of Windows Central remarked recently that it’s coming along quite well, so perhaps we’ll finally see an update at the Xbox showcase.

Game Pass Price Hike Announcement

Another more unfortunate rumor doing the rounds is that of Game Pass getting a price hike. The Verge’s Tom Warren reported on it. Xbox president Sarah Bond would then confirm Activision’s titles coming to the service on day one. Even more rumors surfaced afterwards, with insider NateDrake claiming that new tiers are coming. There will also allegedly be changes in “the form of pricing and a tier change.” Regardless of those plans, a Game Pass price increase seems inevitable, especially given how subscriber counts haven’t been soaring lately.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Date Announcement

The best part about so many upcoming events is that Hollow Knight: Silksong could appear at almost anyone. That ups the chances of a potential new trailer and maybe a release date announcement. Does that mean multiple chances to be disappointed as well? Sure, but with the title rated in South Korea, Australia and the US, it would be weird to get nothing in return. Either way, it’s been over five years since the announcement trailer, Team Cherry. Just…please, anything.

Borderlands 4 Reveal

2K Games confirmed that Borderlands 4 was in active development after Gearbox’s acquisition by Take-Two but rumors were already claiming that it saw a shake-up in leadership. The publishing label confirmed a reveal for the “next iteration” in one of its “biggest and most beloved franchises” at Summer Game Fest. Potential Borderlands 4 announcement and gameplay? It would be the safe bet, for sure.

Mafia 4 Announcement

However, there’s also a chance it could be Hanger 13’s long-rumored Mafia 4. Leaker Kurakasis claimed last month that Take-Two had begun “preparations for an announcement regarding the Mafia series.” Allegedly developed on Unreal Engine 5 and serving as a prequel to the series with Don Salieri as the protagonist, it could be the big reveal for Summer Game Fest.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Announcement

Sega is confirmed as a partner for Summer Game Fest, and while there’s plenty it could discuss, news on Sonic X Shadow Generations seems likely. The remaster, features a new campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog. A new trailer and release date seems likely.

Sonic Heroes Remake Announcement

While Sonic X Shadow Generations may be the main attraction, Sega could announce another remake in the series. According to Nintendo Universe, it’s Sonic Heroes, allegedly developed on Unreal Engine 5 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Whether Summer Game Fest is the place or not, it would garner the most attention.

Metro 4 Reveal

While a prequel to Metro 2033 sounds great, some fans were doubtless disappointed that Metro Awakening is a VR-exclusive title. Perhaps to quell some of that, publisher Deep Silver confirmed that “development continues separately at 4A Games on the next mainline installment of the Metro series.” Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson reported last year in February that it was “well into development” and “fully playable.” Even if Deep Silver reveals the release date for Awakening at Summer Game Fest (where it’s a partner), it wouldn’t be odd to see Metro 4 get a short teaser.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gameplay Reveal

The developer has confirmed updates on its major releases for this year, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws. With pre-orders and various details for the former out in the wild, it seems a given that there will be a gameplay showcase. If coincidence isn’t enough, Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson outright reported this would be the case, with hands-on impressions going live on June 12th.

Valve’s Deadlock

Between all the leaked screenshots, gameplay and details, it feels like Valve is gearing up to announce Deadlock. The alleged 6v6 hero shooter is in the alpha stage and features 19 characters, with the usual MOBA roles of tanks, healers and damage dealers. While no release windows have circulated, there’s every possibility that Valve drops the announcement out of nowhere and opens up registrations for a closed alpha.

Monster Hunter Wilds – New Gameplay and Release Window

When discussing predictions, Monster Hunter Wilds getting some gameplay and a possible release window is probably the safest bet. The developer already confirmed new details this Summer, and as a partner at Summer Game Fest, it only makes sense to at least provide a trailer. It could then tout more information at the next Showcase or a Monster Hunter Wilds Digital Event later in June. It makes too much sense not to happen.

Kingdom Hearts 4 New Trailer

As odd as it seems, Kingdom Hearts 4 could appear in the upcoming Summer showcases, though which one is the question. Leaker Daniel Richtman recently revealed that it would launch sometime next year. If that’s the case, an upcoming reveal doesn’t sound too far fetched, especially with the Kingdom Hearts series recently becoming available on Steam.

Wonder Woman Update

Among the many publishers confirmed for the Summer Game Fest is WB Games. We haven’t heard anything about Monolith Productions’ Wonder Woman since December 2021 – outside of the publisher denying it’s a live-service title and a job listing for WB Games Montreal revealing that it’s supporting development. Perhaps this year’s showcase could finally be the time, especially if Warner Bros. Discovery wants a big release for the fiscal year.

Starfield: Shattered Space Reveal and Release Date

Starfield’s first paid expansion, Shattered Space, was already confirmed to launch this year and receive new details. However, The Verge’s Tom Warren reported that it would not only appear at the Xbox Games Showcase but receive a release date (allegedly for September). Redditors also spotted references in its May update video to House Var’uun, a faction that didn’t appear in the base game but whom one of your companions follows. Whatever its nature, expect it to appear all the same.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Release Date

Likewise, there’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft’s next big first-party title coming this year. MachineGames’ action-adventure is reportedly launching in December, per The Verge, so some new gameplay and an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase seems a given.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Trailer

This one’s a bit of a wildcard, not only because Skydance New Media showcased in-game scenes during the State of Unreal at GDC in March, but also because it has a 2025 release window. The developer isn’t listed for Summer Game Fest, though the next round of partners could contain its name. If so, perhaps there will be gameplay and the announcement of platforms.

New Xbox Hardware Announcement

Other first-party games allegedly coming to PS5, potential Game Pass price hikes – Microsoft has a lot on its plate, rumors-wise. However, one confirmed bit is that it will unveil “some exciting stuff coming out in hardware.” It’s unlikely to be the next Xbox, which Microsoft touts as delivering “the largest technical leap” in a generation, but maybe it’s the rumored mid-gen refresh leaked in documents during its FTC trial. Perhaps it’s the new all-digital white Xbox Series X, whose images have been circulating. Whatever it may be, an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase would make sense.

Crimson Desert New Trailer and Release Window

Remember Crimson Desert, Black Desert developer Pearl Abyss’s ambitious single-player action RPG? It seems that development is complete, and marketing reportedly will kick off in the coming months, per leaker Lunatic Ignus. Targeting a Q1 2025 release, there’s every chance it could appear at Summer Game Fest, especially since its first trailer was at The Game Awards 2020.

Resident Evil 9 Announcement

Pragmata may be in limbo, but it could be gearing up to reveal the next mainline Resident Evil. Reportedly launching in January 2025 per leaker Dusk Golem, it allegedly has the series’ largest development time frame and budget. None of that will stop it from being a monster success, and though it could be unveiled at Summer Game Fest, it wouldn’t be remiss to see it appear during Sony’s rumored PlayStation Showcase.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Gameplay and Release Date

BioWare and Electronic Arts confirmed a full reveal for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in Summer 2024, and based on reports by Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb, a new trailer could drop around Summer Game Fest. Even more interestingly, it’s seemingly launching this year. The publisher revealed recently that it has two “unannounced” titles releasing this fiscal year, with Grubb noting that Dreadwolf is one of them. Whether it arrives this year remains to be seen. For now, we just want to see some extended gameplay.

Splinter Cell Remake Update

Announced in 2021, Splinter Cell remake could be due for…something at Forward. There’s not much to go on, save for the developer changing its Facebook page header and profile picture to Sam Fisher’s signature NV goggles, but you never know. As for the nature of the reveal, your guess is as good as ours.

New Ghost Recon Reveal

Then there’s the next Ghost Recon, rumored way back in 2022 and allegedly launching in 2025 or 2026. Codenamed Project Over, it’s reportedly a first-person shooter, per Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson. If the Splinter Cell remake could get an update at Forward, the next Ghost Recon seems just as possible.

Interestingly enough, however, Kingdom Hearts 4 might actually be closer to launch than some may have expected. That’s as per known leaker Daniel Richtman, who recently claimed in an update published on his Patreon page that the action RPG is set to come out sometime next year. Richtman provided no further details.

So far, Square Enix itself has said little about Kingdom Hearts 4, when it will release, or even what platforms it will be available on.

We do know that the game is set in the world of Quadratum, and will also feature the return of a fan-favourite combat feature in Reaction Commands. It is being developed on Unreal Engine 5, which, according to its developers, will allow its visual quality to be “several levels higher” than past instalments.

Though Kingdom Hearts 4’s 2022 announcement trailer was built in Unreal Engine 4, at the time, director Tetsuya Nomura said its next trailer would showcase Unreal Engine 5 footage.