Fable, a new beginning for Lionhead Studios’ legendary action RPG franchise that is currently in development at Playground Games (Forza Horizon) and Eidos-Montréal (Deus Ex, Tomb Raider), has been delayed and will now be released in 2026 rather than 2025, according to new information that Craig Duncan, the new Head of Xbox Game Studios, has shared in a new episode of the Official Xbox Podcast that Microsoft published today.
See below for the relevant portion of the transcript, where Duncan explains how the new Fable is set to deliver amazing gameplay, British humor, and more but that Xbox Game Studios wanted to grant Playground more development time for what has been described as an “amazing” and “genuinely beautiful” game:
TINA AMINI: So where are we at with Fable?
CRAIG DUNCAN: So, I just want to start with really excited, really excited about progress, really excited where Playground are. 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. And I just, I have unequivocal confidence in the Playground team. If you think about their history and legacy for Forza Horizon, the last two games critically acclaimed (inaudible) —
TINA AMINI: Award-winning.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Award-winning, beautiful, played great. And just what they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise, just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground Games, plus amazing game play, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion, so inspired by what’s gone before with the franchise, but their take. And quite frankly, the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen. 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.
TINA AMINI: And I think from your visit you actually managed to bring over some footage for us to see some of those beautiful visuals as well.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah. So, I think we’re going to show some of the, some of the footage, this isn’t a trailer or anything. We thought as we were going to talk about the game, it was important to show some of the things.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, we get to see some of these scenes, like kind of both just walking through environments where, and there will be some combat, some city walking scenes, just really seeing how the beautiful variety in environments that are in the game.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and I’ve played some aspects of it that are in the city based, and again, I’m trying to be very careful that I don’t spoil anything. Ralph and the team won’t forgive me if I spoil something. But I played some of the city elements, I played some of the quests, I played some of the combat, I played a boss battle, I’ve used magic. Like it felt amazing, and I had a great time, and again, I remember the originals and the scene, I’ve played that in game play. I’m not going to spoil the backstory of what’s going on, but as you can see, genuinely beautiful. Plays great.
TINA AMINI: Just seeing like the cinematics and then cutting to the actual like fight over here, it’s gorgeous. It can barely tell the difference, which is such a seamless transition.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah. It’s very real, everything you’re seeing here is very playable. I’ve seen a bunch more than that, I’m very excited. So take my word for it. But hopefully what the team can see here is enough to build excitement.
TINA AMINI: I love the little details, it’s great to see how much emphasis is being put into all of that.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and there’s no bigger fans of Fable as a franchise as the Playground team that are making it. So I think it’s a really fun balance between what are the game tenets that are true to Fable, and what’s some modern day reimagining of what is Playground Games’ version of Fable.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, absolutely. The modern retelling of Fable. Very excited myself, I’ve been a massive Fable player since day one. So, I’m excited for 2026.
“Playground Games [presents] Fable, its upcoming open-world Action RPG and new beginning for the legendary and much-loved franchise,” reads a description for the game that Microsoft shared in a past showcase. “Welcome to Albion, the home of heroes and where Fable takes place. It’s in this immersive fairytale land of adventure that myriad challenges, treasures and stories await.”