Microsoft has pushed back the release of Fable, shifting it from its planned 2025 launch to sometime in 2026. This announcement coincided with a first glimpse of fresh 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 behind the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
In a recent Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, assured fans that the delay is justified. He emphasized his complete confidence in Playground Games, highlighting their track record of critical success with Forza Horizon (achieving Metacritic scores of 92 and numerous awards).
Duncan stated, "We previously announced a 2025 release date. We're giving Fable more time, and it will now launch in 2026. While I know this isn't the news everyone wants to hear, it's definitely worth the wait. The visuals alone, combined with the gameplay, British humor, and Playground's unique interpretation of Albion, will make this the most stunningly realized version of Albion you've ever seen."
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Xbox Games Series Tier List
Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay trailer. This showcased Fable's combat system, city exploration, horseback riding through a fantastical forest, and the classic Fable tradition of kicking a chicken. The brief footage offers a strong indication of Playground's vision and the high visual fidelity Duncan mentioned.
The gameplay showcased combat using a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, a two-handed sword, and what appears to be a fireball spell. One scene depicts the protagonist setting a trap baited with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which they subsequently battle.
Initially announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," Playground's revival of the fantasy RPG series received further attention in 2023's Xbox Game Showcase, presented by Richard Ayoade. A subsequent trailer was released during the June 2024 Xbox Showcase event.
This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 (2010) and is one of Xbox Game Studios' most anticipated upcoming releases.
