"Fable's Release Pushed to 2026, Microsoft Unveils Pre-Alpha Gameplay"

Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated Fable reboot, pushing its release from 2025 to 2026. This news comes directly from Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, during a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast. Duncan, who previously served as the head of Rare studio, expressed his unwavering confidence in the development team at UK-based Playground Games, known for their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series.

In the podcast, Duncan shared his excitement about the progress of Fable, stating, “Really excited about where Playground are. 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.” He reassured fans that the delay is in the best interest of the game and the community, promising a game that is "definitely worth the wait."

Duncan praised Playground Games for their track record with the Forza Horizon series, which has consistently achieved high ratings, including a 92 Metacritic score. He emphasized that Fable will benefit from Playground's expertise, combining stunning visuals with engaging gameplay and the signature British humor that the franchise is known for. "Just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground games plus amazing gameplay, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion," Duncan said, promising a beautifully realized version of the game's world.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft released 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage, offering fans a glimpse of what to expect. The brief clip showcased various elements of Fable, including combat scenes with a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, a two-handed sword, and magical fireball attacks. Other scenes included city walking, a character riding a horse through a fantasy forest, and the iconic chicken-kicking moment. Additionally, a cutscene revealed a trap set with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which the main character then engages in battle.

Fable was first announced as a "new beginning" for the franchise in 2020. Subsequent showcases in 2023 and 2024, including a reveal featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, have built anticipation for this reboot. As the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010, it stands as one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming titles.