"Fable Game Delayed to 2026, New Pre-Alpha Gameplay Unveiled by Microsoft"

Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated reboot of the Fable series, pushing its release from the previously announced 2025 window to sometime in 2026. This news came alongside a tantalizing first look at brand new gameplay during the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast.

Fable, a beloved franchise originally crafted by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being lovingly revived by UK's Playground Games. This studio has built a stellar reputation with their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, known for its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.

Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, shared his enthusiasm for the project. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the dedication and talent of the Playground team. Despite the delay, he reassured fans that the extra time is to ensure the game's quality, stating, "it's definitely worth the wait."

Duncan's confidence in Playground Games stems from their track record. "If you think about their history and legacy for Forza Horizon, the last few games, critically acclaimed, 92 Metacritic, award-winning, beautiful, play great," he explained. He promised that Fable would combine Playground's signature visual excellence with the humor and charm that the series is known for, set in a beautifully realized version of Albion.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage. This brief but revealing glimpse showcased various elements of Fable's world, including combat with weapons like a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, and a two-handed sword, as well as a fireball magic attack. The footage also included scenes of city walking, a character riding a horse through a fantasy forest, and the iconic Fable moment of kicking a chicken.

Additional gameplay showed a cutscene where sausages are used to lure a werewolf-like creature into a trap, setting the stage for an ensuing battle. This footage not only gives fans a taste of the combat and exploration but also highlights the visual fidelity Duncan praised.

First announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the series, Fable has gradually unveiled more details over the years. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase featured a reveal with Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, and last year's Xbox Showcase in June 2024 provided another trailer. This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since 2010's Fable 3 and stands as one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming releases.

With the delay, Microsoft and Playground Games are ensuring that Fable will live up to the high expectations set by its predecessors and the studio's own track record. Fans eager to explore the enchanting world of Albion will need to wait a bit longer, but the promise of a game that blends stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and the beloved humor of the Fable series makes it a wait that seems well worth it.