Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated reboot of the Fable series, pushing its release from 2025 to 2026. This news comes alongside a first look at new gameplay footage, showcasing the efforts of UK studio Playground, renowned for their work on the Forza Horizon series.

In a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the need for additional time to ensure the game meets the high expectations set by fans and critics alike. "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 top-tier gaming experience.

Playground's track record with the Forza Horizon series, which has consistently received high praise and scores around 92 on Metacritic, underpins Duncan's optimism. He described the upcoming Fable as a blend of stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and the signature British humor that the franchise is known for. "Just what they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise, just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground games plus amazing gameplay, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion," Duncan elaborated, promising a beautifully realized version of the game's world.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage. This brief glimpse into Fable's world showcased various combat scenarios, including the use of a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, a two-handed sword, and 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 moment of kicking a chicken. Additionally, a cutscene depicted a man setting a trap with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which the protagonist then battles.

First announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the series, Fable's development has been closely followed by fans. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase provided further insight into what to expect, featuring a reveal by Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd. Last year, during the Xbox Showcase event in June 2024, Microsoft offered another look at the game through a new trailer.

This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010 and is poised to be one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant releases. As fans await the 2026 release, the promise of a meticulously crafted game from Playground Games offers a silver lining to the delay.