Xbox Game Studios has officially delayed the highly anticipated Fable reboot to 2026, extending the wait for fans who were expecting the game to launch in 2025. Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, revealed the news during an episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, offering new gameplay footage alongside the delay announcement.
“We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025. We are actually going to give Fable more time, and it’s going to ship in 2026 now,” Duncan stated during the podcast. “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.”
The Fable reboot is being developed by Playground Games, the British studio behind the acclaimed Forza Horizon racing series. Duncan expressed “unequivocal confidence” in the team’s ability to deliver a high-quality game, pointing to their track record of creating critically acclaimed titles that typically score around 92 on Metacritic.
To soften the blow of the delay announcement, Microsoft released 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage. The brief clips showcase several aspects of the game, including combat with various weapons like one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, and magic attacks. The footage also features city exploration, horseback riding through fantasy forests, and the return of the series’ iconic chicken-kicking feature.
Duncan emphasized that the extra development time will allow Playground Games to create “the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen,” referring to the fantasy world where Fable takes place. He noted that the game will maintain the British humor that has been a hallmark of the franchise while introducing Playground’s unique interpretation of the world.
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This reboot represents the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 was released in 2010, making it one of Xbox Game Studios‘ most significant upcoming titles. The project was first announced in July 2020, with subsequent trailers revealing the involvement of actors Richard Ayoade (known for “The IT Crowd”) and Matt King (Super Hans from “Peep Show”).
Despite the Fable delay, Xbox still has several major releases planned for this year, including South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages from id Software, The Outer Worlds 2, and potentially Gears of War: E-Day.
Duncan concluded his announcement by explaining the reasoning behind the delay: “I want the community to understand that we do these things for the best of the games and the teams, and ultimately that results in the best game for the community.”
FAQ
Why was the Fable reboot delayed?
According to Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, the delay is to ensure the game meets high quality standards and to give Playground Games more time to refine the experience. He stated the extra development time will result in “the best game for the community.”
When will the Fable reboot be released now?
The Fable reboot is now scheduled to release sometime in 2026. The exact release date within 2026 has not been specified.
Who is developing the new Fable game?
Playground Games, the British studio known for developing the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon racing series, is creating the Fable reboot. This marks their first project outside the racing genre.
What gameplay features have been revealed so far?
The pre-alpha footage showed combat with various weapons (one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, and magic), city exploration, horseback riding, and the return of the series’ iconic chicken-kicking feature. Full details on gameplay systems have not yet been revealed.
Will the Fable reboot maintain the humor of the original games?
Yes, Craig Duncan specifically mentioned that the game will feature “British humor” while offering Playground’s unique interpretation of the world of Albion, suggesting the reboot will maintain the comedic tone the series is known for.
Are there any known actors or celebrities involved in the Fable reboot?
Yes, previous trailers have confirmed the involvement of Richard Ayoade (known for “The IT Crowd”) and Matt King (who played Super Hans in “Peep Show”), suggesting the game will feature notable British comedy talent.