Microsoft has pushed back the release of Fable from its original 2025 window to sometime in 2026. This delay comes alongside a first glimpse at fresh gameplay footage from the much-anticipated reboot of the Xbox franchise, originally developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios. The project is now in the hands of UK-based Playground Games, renowned for their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
In a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from being the head of Rare to leading Xbox Game Studios last fall, shared his enthusiasm about the project's progress. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the decision to give Fable more time. "While I know that’s not maybe the news people want to hear, what I want to assure people of is that it’s definitely worth the wait," he added, expressing unwavering confidence in Playground Games.
Duncan highlighted Playground's track record with the Forza Horizon series, which has consistently achieved high Metacritic scores and won numerous awards. He praised the team's ability to blend stunning visuals with engaging gameplay, promising that Fable will feature the same high-quality graphics and gameplay, infused with British humor and a fresh take on the iconic world of Albion.
Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage. This brief yet revealing clip showcased various elements of Fable, including combat sequences with different weapons like a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, and a two-handed sword, as well as a fireball magic attack. The footage also included scenes of city exploration, a character riding a horse through a fantasy forest, and the classic Fable touch of kicking a chicken. A cutscene depicted a man setting a trap with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which the protagonist then battles.
Fable was first announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the franchise. Subsequent reveals, including one at the 2023 Xbox Game Showcase featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, and another at the Xbox Showcase in June 2024, have kept fans eagerly awaiting more details. This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010 and stands as one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming releases.
