Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated Fable reboot, originally slated for a 2025 release, will now launch in 2026. This news comes alongside a first glimpse at new pre-alpha gameplay footage, giving fans a taste of what to expect from this revival of the beloved Xbox franchise.

Fable, once a flagship series developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being brought back to life by UK-based Playground Games. Known for their critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, Playground is tasked with breathing new life into the fantasy role-playing game.

In a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, the former head of Rare who now leads Xbox Game Studios, addressed the delay. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing his confidence in Playground Games. "We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025. We are actually going to give Fable more time, and it’s going to ship in 2026 now."

Despite the delay, Duncan reassured fans that the wait would be worthwhile. He highlighted Playground's track record with Forza Horizon, noting their ability to create visually stunning and engaging games. "What they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise is just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground games plus amazing gameplay, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion," Duncan said. He promised that the new Fable would feature the most beautifully realized version of Albion yet, blending the franchise's traditional elements with Playground's unique touch.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay trailer. This brief footage showcased various aspects of the game, including combat with a range of weapons like one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, and magical fireball attacks. The trailer also featured scenes of city exploration, horseback riding through a fantasy forest, and, in true Fable fashion, a character 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.

The Fable reboot was first announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the series. Subsequent reveals, including a 2023 Xbox Game Showcase featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, and a trailer at the 2024 Xbox Showcase, have built anticipation for this title. As the first mainline Fable game since 2010's Fable 3, it represents one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming releases.

For fans eagerly awaiting the return of Fable, the additional wait until 2026 is tempered by the promise of a game that will live up to the franchise's legacy while pushing the boundaries of what Playground Games can achieve.