Fable fans, brace yourselves: the much-anticipated new installment in the Fable series has been postponed to 2026. For those of us eager to dive into the magical world of Albion and rack up some achievements this year, it’s admittedly a bit of a letdown. This delay shifts the landscape of upcoming Xbox exclusives significantly. However, Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, assures us that the wait is “definitely worth it.”
Playground Games, the creative team behind this new Fable, initially aimed for a release later this year. Now, they’ve decided to give the game more time, pushing its release to 2026. According to Duncan, he couldn’t be more thrilled about the team’s progress and direction. “We’re really excited about how things are shaping up,” he commented on the current state of the project. “We had initially marked our calendars for a 2025 launch, but we believe that this additional time will allow us to perfect the game. It might not be the news fans were hoping for, but I assure you, it’s definitely a delay aimed at delivering quality.” His confidence in the Playground team is unwavering.
Reflecting on their track record, Duncan highlighted Playground’s remarkable work with the Forza Horizon series. The last two titles were not only critically acclaimed and award-winning but also visually stunning and had stellar gameplay. Now, they’re bringing that expertise to Fable. “Imagine the breathtaking visuals you expect from Playground Games, paired with incredible gameplay and a touch of British humor. Their iteration of Albion pays homage to the franchise’s legacy while adding their own unique twist,” he added.
Duncan emphasized that this will be “the most beautifully realized version of Albion ever.” He’s genuinely excited about the team’s plans and the future they’re building. “We make these decisions to ensure the best outcome for both the game and the community, ultimately leading to the best experience.”
For those curious to see what’s in store, you can catch some fresh footage from that Xbox Podcast video linked above. Albion’s magnificence is on full display! While this reshuffles the lineup of upcoming Game Pass releases, we’re curious to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share them in the comments!
