Fable Delayed to 2026: Microsoft Unveils Pre-Alpha Gameplay

Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated Fable reboot, shifting its release from 2025 to 2026. This news was shared alongside a first look at new pre-alpha gameplay footage during the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast. The game, a revival of the beloved Xbox franchise originally created by Lionhead Studios, is being developed by UK-based Playground Games, known for their successful Forza Horizon series.

Craig Duncan, who transitioned from head of Rare to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, expressed his enthusiasm about the project's progress on the podcast. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the confidence in Playground Games' ability to deliver a remarkable experience. He assured fans that the extra time would ensure a game "definitely worth the wait," highlighting the team's history of creating critically acclaimed, award-winning games with high visual and gameplay standards.

The brief 50-second gameplay reveal showcased various elements of Fable, including combat sequences with different weapons such as one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, and two-handed swords, 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 iconic Fable humor with a character kicking a chicken. Additionally, a cutscene depicted a trap set with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which the protagonist then battles.

Playground's approach to Fable promises to blend the studio's signature visual quality and gameplay excellence with the franchise's traditional British humor and the enchanting world of Albion. Duncan praised the team's vision for the game, describing it as the "most beautifully realized version of Albion" fans have ever seen.

The Fable reboot, first announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," has been progressively unveiled through various showcases. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase featured a trailer with Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, and the 2024 Xbox Showcase provided another glimpse into the game. This upcoming title marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010 and is poised to be one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant releases.

For fans eagerly awaiting the Fable reboot, the delay might be disappointing, but Duncan's reassurances and the promising gameplay footage suggest that the wait will be worthwhile.