Microsoft shifts Fable's release date to 2026, unveiling new gameplay footage.

The highly anticipated Fable reboot, developed by Playground Games (creators of the Forza Horizon series), will no longer launch in 2025. Microsoft has confirmed a revised release window of 2026, aiming to deliver a polished and exceptional gaming experience.

In a recent Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, assured fans that the delay is justified. He highlighted Playground Games' proven track record of creating critically acclaimed titles, emphasizing the team's dedication to crafting a visually stunning and engaging Fable experience. Duncan described the game as "the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen," promising a blend of impressive visuals, captivating gameplay, and signature British humor.

Accompanying the delay announcement, Microsoft shared a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay video. This sneak peek showcased various aspects of the game, including combat using different weapons (one-handed sword, two-handed hammer, two-handed sword, and a fireball spell), city exploration, horseback riding through a fantastical forest, and the iconic Fable tradition of kicking a chicken. A brief cutscene also hinted at a werewolf encounter involving a cleverly placed sausage trap.

Initially announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," the Fable reboot has been steadily unveiled through subsequent showcases. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase offered a first glimpse, followed by another trailer during the June 2024 Xbox Showcase event. This marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 (2010) and remains one of Xbox Game Studios' most anticipated upcoming releases.

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