Microsoft has pushed back the release of Fable, shifting it from its initially planned 2025 launch to sometime in 2026. This announcement coincided with the unveiling of new gameplay footage.
Fable, a reboot of the beloved Xbox franchise originally developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being crafted by Playground Games, the UK-based studio celebrated for the Forza Horizon racing game series.
In a recent Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, reassured fans that the delay is worthwhile. He emphasized his complete confidence in Playground Games, highlighting their track record of critical acclaim and success with the Forza Horizon franchise, citing its high Metacritic scores and numerous awards.
Duncan described the upcoming Fable as a visually stunning and engaging experience, boasting impressive graphics and gameplay, coupled with signature British humor. He stated that the game represents a beautifully realized version of Albion, drawing inspiration from previous Fable iterations while offering a fresh perspective. He underscored that the delay prioritizes delivering the best possible game.
### Xbox Games Series Tier List
Xbox Games Series Tier List
The delay announcement included a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay demonstration. This showcased Fable's combat system, featuring various weapons (one-handed sword, two-handed hammer, two-handed sword) and magic (fireball). The footage also included city exploration, horseback riding through a fantasy forest, and the iconic chicken-kicking moment. The brief glimpse provided a strong indication of Playground Games' vision and the high visual fidelity mentioned by Duncan. A scene depicts a trap baited with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, leading to a subsequent fight.
Initially announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," the Fable reboot received further attention in 2023's Xbox Game Showcase, featuring Richard Ayoade, and again in June 2024's Xbox Showcase with a new trailer. This marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 (2010) and remains one of Xbox Game Studios' most anticipated upcoming releases.
