XBOX May Reveal an Unexpected Sequel at Gamescom

A rumored sequel from an outside studio has sparked speculation about which Microsoft franchise could return.

Gamescom is getting closer, and Microsoft might have a surprise waiting for XBOX fans. The company already has plenty planned for the event, but sources say there could be one more unexpected announcement. The interesting part is that the rumored game is reportedly a sequel to a Microsoft-owned franchise, but it may not be coming from one of Microsoft's own studios.

Instead, Microsoft is said to be working with an external developer to revive the series. That is where things get interesting. Microsoft owns a massive collection of gaming franchises, and several of them have been sitting on the sidelines for years. Naturally, speculation has already started flying around about what this mystery project could be.

Names being thrown around include Viva Piñata, Lost Odyssey, and Crackdown. These are exactly the kinds of franchises that could make for a fun surprise announcement, especially if Microsoft chooses a developer that fans aren't expecting. One name, however, appears to be off the table. Banjo-Kazooie has been one of the most common requests from XBOX fans for years, but according to the current rumor, this mystery project is not Banjo.

Sorry, Banjo fans. The waiting continues.

Another possibility that has caught attention is Killer Instinct. The fighting series fits the rumor quite well because Microsoft has already relied on outside developers for the franchise in the past. The most recent Killer Instinct revival was developed with help from Iron Galaxy, which also returned later to support the game.

Microsoft has also talked in the past about finding the right developer to bring Killer Instinct back potentially. That makes a new entry a little easier to imagine. Plans for such a project could even have started under Microsoft's previous leadership. If the company had already been looking for a suitable studio before its leadership changes, a new Killer Instinct game could theoretically have been in the works for some time.

But is that really the game? Nobody knows yet. The rumor only points toward an unexpected sequel involving a Microsoft IP and an outside studio. It doesn't confirm the franchise or developer, or even guarantee the project will be shown at Gamescom. Still, that's exactly what makes this rumor interesting. Microsoft has plenty of dormant franchises that could suddenly return, and using an external studio gives the company even more possibilities.

A surprise reveal at Gamescom would certainly get people talking, particularly if the game comes from a franchise that fans haven't heard about in years. With the event now just days away, the mystery is becoming harder to ignore. So, which XBOX franchise could Microsoft be quietly preparing to bring back?