Xbox has announced the return of the Developer_Direct. The fourth installment of the Direct is set for January 22, 2026, at 10 am PT | 1 pm ET | 6 pm UK. This time around, the show will include two games from developer Playground Games, Fable and Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak.

It’s officially Developer_Direct season!

Join us on January 22 at 10am PT for an exclusive look at Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation: https://t.co/FvFUT7RzVZ | #DeveloperDirect pic.twitter.com/GMRpVDxucs

— Xbox (@Xbox) January 8, 2026

“2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year,” Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief, said. “To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.”

“Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25^th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.”

Playground Games is set to present the first in-depth look at Fable. The developers wanted to create a fresh, new beginning for the franchise, keeping the core themes of the franchise – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor, and chickens, but reimagined for existing fans and new players.

Our @Fable and @ForzaHorizon teams have been very busy, and we can’t wait to show you what they’ve been working on. Be sure to tune in on the 22nd! https://t.co/AF8ecLDvZt

— Playground Games (@WeArePlayground) January 8, 2026

In addition, Playground Games will also be talking about taking Forza Horizon 6 to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. Playground will also showw of the first look at gameplay and talk about some of the new features coming in this installment of the franchise.

Game Freak surprised everyone last year with the reveal of Beast of Reincarnation, a big change from Pokemon. Now, Game Freak will reveal details about protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. The devs will also go into the profound and dangerous world that unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan.