Fable Delayed to 2026, Microsoft Reveals Brand New Pre-Alpha Gameplay

Microsoft has pushed back the release of Fable from 2025 to 2026, but offered a sneak peek at new gameplay footage to soften the blow.

Fable, a reboot of the beloved Xbox franchise originally developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being crafted by Playground Games, the acclaimed studio behind the Forza Horizon series.

Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, recently appeared on the Xbox Podcast to assure fans that the delay is worthwhile. He emphasized his complete confidence in Playground Games, highlighting their track record of creating critically acclaimed, visually stunning, and engaging games like Forza Horizon. He stated that Fable will leverage Playground's expertise to deliver a visually breathtaking and gameplay-rich experience, infused with British humor and a unique interpretation of the Albion setting. He described the upcoming Fable as the most beautifully realized version of Albion yet.

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The delay announcement coincided with the release of a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay video. This short clip showcased Fable's combat system (featuring one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, two-handed swords, and a fireball spell), city exploration, horseback riding through a fantasy forest, and the classic Fable tradition of kicking a chicken. The video also offered a glimpse into a humorous side quest involving a werewolf and a sausage trap.

Initially announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," the Fable reboot received further attention at the 2023 Xbox Game Showcase, presented by Richard Ayoade, and again at the June 2024 Xbox Showcase. This marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 (2010) and remains one of Xbox Game Studios' most anticipated upcoming releases.