Back in 2020, Microsoft announced the revival of Fable, a beloved Fantasy Action Role-Playing game that has been dormant for a while. When it was officially revealed, many longtime fans rejoiced in celebration. Developer Playground Games went dark until the past two years where they released new in-game footage. Last year’s trailer revealed a launch window of 2025 but that is no longer the case. During the latest official Xbox podcast, Xbox Games Studio Head Craig Duncan talked about the current slate that they have planned this year and announced that Fable has been delayed to 2026.

“So, I just want to start with, really excited, really excited about progress, really excited about where Playground are,” Duncan said on the podcast.

“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. While I know that’s not maybe the news people want to hear, what I want to assure people of is that it’s definitely worth the wait.”

“I have unequivocal confidence in the Playground team,” Duncan continued. “If you think about their history and legacy for Forza Horizon the last two games critically acclaimed, 92 Metacritic, award-winning, beautiful, played great, and just what they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise.”

During the podcast, new pre-alpha footage of Fable was released giving everyone a new look at some of the combat, enemies, and locations players will be able to visit.

Fable | Pre-Alpha Gameplay Teaser#Fable #Xbox pic.twitter.com/1pWCRZyEgn

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) February 25, 2025

Just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground Games, plus amazing gameplay, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion, so inspired by what’s gone before with the franchise, but their take in quite frankly, the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen,” Duncan said. “So really excited about the plans and really excited about the future, and I want the community to understand that we do these things for the best of the games, and the teams, and ultimately that results in the best games, or the best game for the community.”