With new footage ofStarfieldand the reveal of a newFablegame, Microsoft had plenty on offer to keep gamers entertained during the Xbox Games Showcase. But while the flashy trailers for AAA titles were the highlights of the show for many viewers, it’sXbox Games Studios CEO Phil Spencer’s decision to wear aHexenshirt that really grabbed some gamers’ attention and left them wondering if it hints at the return of the long-dormant FPS franchise.Released for PC in 1995,Hexen: Beyond Hereticis a fantasy shooter created byCall of Duty: Warzone 2developer Raven Softwareand published by id Software and GT Interactive. Hitting the market only two years after the release of id Software’s seminal first-person shooter,Doom, Raven’sHexen: Beyond Hereticintroduced many innovative features to the fledgling genre. In addition to letting players choose between three different classes, each with their own unique weapons and skills,Hexenwas one of the first FPS games to incorporate the “hub” style of interconnected level design that would be used to great effect inQuakethe following year. The second game in Raven’s loosely-connected “Serpent Riders” trilogy,Hexenwas followed by sequelHexen 2in 1998.RELATED:In-Game Fable Footage Shown at Xbox Games ShowcaseWhen Phil Spencer took to the stage during the Xbox Games Showcase wearing aHexenshirt, it immediately caught the attention of many old-school gamers, leaving some to question whether the long-dead franchise may be being primed for a return. A post from the game-tracking site Game Pass Counter’s Twitter account pointed out the unusual choice of attire, leading one respondent to speculate that the Xbox Game Studios CEO “wants Raven to reviveHexen/Hereticwhen they buy Activision.” Another reply came from a gamer who expressed disappointment that, rather than teasing a big, end-of-show payoff or remake reveal tied to Spencer’s old-school outfit, it ended up being “Just a shirt.”
While it’s possible that Phil Spencer’s choice to wear aHexenshirt during the Xbox Games Showcase may have just been his way of paying homage to a favorite game, reviving the franchise wouldn’t be an entirely surprising move. Given the success of so-called “boomer shooters” in recent years, FPS games that blend retro visuals and gameplay with modern design sensibilities, aHexenremake with old-school graphics and a few modern-day flourishes could be a hit with many gamers. AHexenreboot would also be able to capitalize on older players’ nostalgia for the source material, giving it a unique advantage over popularretro shooters likeWarhammer 40K Boltgun.
Whether Phil Spencer’sHexenshirt was just a spur-of-the-moment fashion choice or a subtle hint at things to come remains to be seen, but it’s clear that many gamers haven’t forgotten the franchise despite its decades-long absence. And with the genre Raven Software helped establish once again in the spotlight thanks to the excitement surrounding upcomingfantasy shooterImmortals of Aveum,now could be the perfect time to giveHexen: Beyond Hereticanother chance to shine.
