Playground Games’ reboot of the Fable franchise is slated for release in either the third or fourth quarter of 2026, targeting PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, according to information released by Xbox Game Studios.
The new installment marks the first major entry in the series since 2012’s Fable: The Journey, developed by Lionhead Studios. Development began following the closure of Lionhead Studios in early 2016, which too led to the cancellation of Fable Legends. Confirmation of the reboot came during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, ending years of speculation.
Fable will be an open-world action role-playing game presented in a third-person perspective. Players will be able to customize their hero and engage in combat utilizing melee, ranged, and magical abilities. The game is designed to allow players to seamlessly switch between combat styles during encounters, employing weapons such as swords, bows, and spells.
Beyond combat, the game will feature extensive social interaction. Players can trigger actions through controller inputs to interact with non-player characters, with choices impacting their reputation and the reactions of townspeople. Gameplay will also extend to world interaction, including the ability to build and own multiple properties, and to form relationships, including romantic partnerships, and marriage.
The game is being developed using Playground Games’ ForzaTech engine. Ralph Fulton is directing the project, with Rachel Hardy and Ian Mitchell serving as producers. Will Kennedy is the designer, and David Springate is the programmer. Anna Megill and Andrew Walsh are credited as writers, and Conar Cross is the artist.
