Fable Release Pushed to 2026, New Pre-Alpha Gameplay Unveiled by Microsoft

Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated reboot of the Fable franchise, originally slated for a 2025 release, has been delayed to 2026. This news was shared alongside a first look at new gameplay footage during the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast.

Fable, a beloved series that originated from the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being revitalized by UK-based Playground Games, renowned for their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series. In the podcast, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, expressed his enthusiasm for the project's progress. He emphasized that the additional time would ensure the game's quality, stating, "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."

Duncan highlighted Playground's track record with the Forza Horizon series, which has consistently received high praise and awards, suggesting that their expertise would translate well into the Fable universe. He described the upcoming game as featuring "amazing gameplay, British humor," and a stunningly realized version of Albion, the game's setting.

Accompanying the delay announcement, Microsoft released a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay video. This footage showcased various elements of the game, including combat with different weapons such as a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, and a two-handed sword, as well as a fireball magic attack. Other scenes included city walking, a character riding a horse through a fantasy forest, and the iconic Fable moment of kicking a chicken. A cutscene also teased a battle with a werewolf-like creature, lured by sausages.

The Fable reboot, announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," has been gradually unveiled through various showcases. In 2023, The IT Crowd's Richard Ayoade featured in a reveal, and last year's Xbox Showcase in June 2024 offered another glimpse into the game.

This new Fable game marks the first mainline entry in the series since Fable 3 in 2010 and stands as one of the most significant upcoming titles for Xbox Game Studios.