Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated Fable reboot, pushing its release from 2025 to 2026. This news came alongside a first look at new pre-alpha gameplay footage, showcasing the game's combat, city scenes, and the iconic chicken-kicking moment.
Fable, a beloved Xbox franchise originally developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being rebooted by UK-based Playground Games. Known for their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, Playground is bringing their expertise to the fantasy RPG genre.
In the latest Xbox Podcast episode, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, expressed his excitement about the game's progress. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the need for additional time to ensure the game meets high expectations. "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," he added, highlighting his confidence in Playground's ability to deliver a stunning version of Albion.
The newly released gameplay footage, though brief, offers a glimpse into what fans can expect. It features various combat styles, including the use of a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, a two-handed sword, and magical fireball attacks. Additionally, a cutscene shows a character setting a trap with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, adding to the game's narrative depth.
Since its announcement in 2020 as a "new beginning," Fable has been gradually unveiled to the public. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase provided a deeper look, featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd. Last year, during the Xbox Showcase event in June 2024, Microsoft showcased another trailer, further building anticipation for this reboot.
As the first mainline Fable game since 2010's Fable 3, this reboot is one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming titles. Fans are eager to see how Playground Games will blend their signature visual fidelity and gameplay excellence with the humor and charm that defined the original Fable series.
