"Fable Game Delayed to 2026, New Pre-Alpha Gameplay Unveiled by Microsoft"

Microsoft has announced a delay for the highly anticipated Fable reboot, pushing its release from 2025 to 2026. This news was shared during the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast, where Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, emphasized the importance of giving the game more time to ensure its quality.

Fable, a beloved franchise originally developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios, is being rebooted by UK-based Playground Games. Known for their acclaimed Forza Horizon series, Playground Games is bringing their expertise to this new installment of Fable. Duncan expressed confidence in the team, citing their history of creating critically acclaimed, award-winning games with high Metacritic scores.

The delay, while disappointing to some fans, is seen as a necessary step to deliver a game that lives up to the franchise's legacy. Duncan highlighted the team's vision for Fable, which includes stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and the signature British humor that fans love. He described the new version of Albion as the most beautifully realized yet, promising an exciting future for the series.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay footage. This brief glimpse showcased various elements of the game, including combat with different weapons such as a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, and a two-handed sword, as well as a fireball magic attack. The footage also featured scenes of the protagonist navigating city streets and riding a horse through a fantasy forest, with the iconic chicken-kicking moment making an appearance.

Additionally, a cutscene showed a character setting a trap with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, leading to an ensuing battle. This gameplay footage not only gives fans a taste of what to expect but also underscores the visual fidelity that Duncan praised during the podcast.

First announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the series, Fable has been gradually unveiled through various showcases, including a reveal by Richard Ayoade at the 2023 Xbox Game Showcase and a new trailer at the Xbox Showcase event in June 2024. As the first mainline Fable game since 2010's Fable 3, this reboot is one of the most significant upcoming titles for Xbox Game Studios.