According to a former developer’s LinkedIn profile, Xbox’s BioShock-inspired, steampunk-infused first-person RPG Clockwork Revolution is quietly targeting a 2026 release window, hinting that one of the platform’s most ambitious exclusives is much closer than many fans initially assumed.

The latest clue comes from the LinkedIn page of Nathan Long, who previously served as a senior writer and narrative designer on the project. His profile mentions the game and points to a specific launch timeframe, while also confirming that the story unfolds in the bustling, steam-powered city of Avalon, with an art direction clearly reminiscent of BioShock.

Even with multiple heavy-hitting 2025 releases on the schedule, a portion of the community still feels that Xbox has yet to truly flex its current-gen muscles. For many, Clockwork Revolution, the brand’s own BioShock-flavored RPG, is one of the key titles that could finally redefine how the Xbox first-party line-up is perceived.

The fresh information suggests that development is further along than most observers realized. Based on the details tied to Nathan Long’s time on the project, the team appears to be steering the game toward a 2026 launch, signaling that the finish line is very much in sight.

And why does that matter? Because this updated window lines up with long-running fan theories that Xbox plans to roll out its BioShock-like first-person RPG next year, even though the publisher’s release calendar already looks packed with major titles.

Nathan Long has held senior narrative designer and senior writer roles at inXile Entertainment, including extensive work on Clockwork Revolution. His LinkedIn entry lists 2026 as the planned release year and notes that he has contributed as a senior writer, narrative designer, and lyricist, which makes the stated timeframe credible, unless Xbox has quietly shifted the schedule behind the scenes since October 2025.

It also helps that Xbox has already showcased around seven minutes of Clockwork Revolution gameplay during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. That footage alone indicated that the project was already at a fairly advanced stage roughly half a year ago, suggesting that development has only moved forward since.

Clockwork Revolution is pitched as a time-bending, steampunk first-person RPG where the protagonist stumbles upon an invention that can send them back into the past. The story is set in Avalon, a vibrant metropolis powered by steam and brimming with retro-futuristic machinery.

By jumping back to crucial historical moments, your actions and dialogue choices trigger a butterfly effect on Avalon’s deeply narrative-driven world, reshaping its districts and citizens in surprising ways as they react to the changes you have introduced.

The project is billed as the culmination of inXile Entertainment’s experience so far, combining deep RPG mechanics, full character-creation options, a branching dialog system, and a hefty dose of dark humor to round out the package.

Source: Tech4Gamers