Microsoft has delayed the release of the highly anticipated action-RPG "Fable" from its planned 2025 launch window to 2026.
Craig Duncan, Xbox Game Studios lead, shared this news on the official Xbox Podcast while speaking with Xbox's Tina Amini.
"We're really excited about Fable's progress and where Playground Games are, We previously announced Fable as 2025. We are actually going to give Fable more time. It's going to ship in 2026 now."
While acknowledging this might disappoint fans, Duncan assured listeners that "it's definitely worth the wait." The podcast also featured new footage of the game, showcasing what appears to be a very polished build that includes a werewolf character, previously teased on the Xbox Two Podcast.
This delay isn't entirely surprising given the scale of the project. Fable is reportedly one of the most expensive and ambitious games currently in development at Xbox Game Studios. Playground Games, known for the Forza Horizon series, has recruited talent from major studios like Rockstar and CD Projekt RED to create a true "AAA" RPG experience.
The timing might also be strategic, as Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release in late 2025, and many publishers will likely avoid competing directly with such a major title.
Meanwhile, Xbox's first-party studios have been delivering well-received games recently. Indiana Jones received praise for authentically capturing the franchise's spirit, while Avowed has earned positive reviews from both critics and players. Looking ahead, Xbox has several promising titles in development, including DOOM: The Dark Ages, Gears: E-Day, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Blade.
During the podcast, Amini asked Duncan about Xbox's decision to release games on multiple platforms, a topic that has sparked debate within the Xbox community. Duncan responded by saying,
"I think it's good for gamers, good for our studios. Our studios make amazing games, we want our games to reach the broadest audience possible."
However, Duncan didn't directly address what Xbox fans should take away from this multi-platform approach. The discussion notably avoided mentioning "PlayStation" specifically, instead referring only to "more platforms."
This comes amid ongoing discussions about Xbox's hardware strategy. Xbox console sales have been declining for several quarters, raising questions about Microsoft's commitment to its own hardware ecosystem.
For now, Xbox fans can look forward to other upcoming titles mentioned by Duncan on the podcast, including Expedition 33, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and South of Midnight, while they wait the extra year for Fable's release.
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