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

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

Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, recently appeared on the Xbox Podcast to assure fans that the delay is worthwhile. He emphasized the team's dedication, citing Playground's track record of critically acclaimed, high-scoring games. He highlighted the game's stunning visuals, British humor, and a reimagined Albion, promising the most visually impressive version yet.

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Duncan stated, "We previously announced a 2025 release date. We're giving Fable more time, and it will now launch in 2026. I have complete faith in the Playground team. Their work on Forza Horizon speaks for itself – critically acclaimed, award-winning, visually stunning, and incredibly fun to play. They're bringing that same level of quality to Fable, resulting in a breathtaking Albion."

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled approximately 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay. This showcased combat using various weapons (one-handed sword, two-handed hammer, two-handed sword), magic (fireball), and even the classic Fable tradition of kicking a chicken. The footage also included city exploration and horseback riding through a fantasy forest. A scene depicts the protagonist setting a trap using sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature.

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