After more than a decade in the wilderness, Fable is finally returning. Set for release in late 2026, the long-awaited reboot from Playground Games aims to reintroduce players to the whimsical, morally complex world of Albion—this time rebuilt from the ground up for a new generation.
Published by Xbox Game Studios and launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows, Fable represents a major relaunch for one of Xbox’s most beloved RPG franchises. It will also be available on Game Pass from day one.
A Fresh Start for a Classic Series
The original Fable games, developed by Lionhead Studios, became known for their blend of action RPG gameplay, player-driven morality, and distinctly British humor. However, after Lionhead closed in 2016 and Fable Legends was canceled, the series went dormant.
Enter Playground Games—the studio best known for the Forza Horizon series. After establishing themselves as masters of open-world design, Playground formed a second team in 2017 to tackle an ambitious new RPG project. Rather than creating Fable 4, the studio opted for a full reboot simply titled Fable.
According to studio leadership, continuing Lionhead’s exact storyline felt “inauthentic.” Instead, Playground is crafting its own interpretation of Albion while preserving the spirit, tone, and themes that defined the original games.
The reboot was officially revealed during the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase, with a first in-game trailer arriving in 2023. After an initial 2025 release target, the game was delayed to Q3/Q4 2026 to allow for additional polish.
Albion Reimagined
While this Fable does not continue the previous timeline, it remains firmly rooted in the mythical land of Albion—a fairy tale world infused with satire, eccentric characters, and moral consequence.
The story begins with the player character as a child in the village of Briar Hill, where they discover early signs of heroic power. After a time jump, players return as an adult hero when tragedy strikes: a mysterious stranger turns the hero’s grandmother—and the entire village—to stone. This event sets the adventure in motion.
Players will explore southern villages, northern territories, and iconic locations such as Bowerstone, Fairfax Castle, and the Heroes’ Guild, which plays a role early in the narrative.
Rather than a tightly linear story, Playground emphasizes open-ended exploration and player-driven outcomes, allowing players to shape their journey without strict time pressures while still maintaining meaningful narrative stakes.
Gameplay: Choice, Consequence, and Combat Freedom
At its core, Fable is a third-person open-world action RPG that blends melee combat, ranged weapons, and magic. Players can fluidly switch between swords, bows, and spells during encounters, using a targeting system designed to keep combat dynamic and responsive.
But combat is only part of the experience.
The reboot retains the franchise’s signature morality system, where player actions—especially those witnessed by NPCs—affect reputation, relationships, and even how the world reacts to the hero. Townspeople will respond differently depending on your deeds, shaping social interactions and narrative possibilities.
Social mechanics return as well. Players can:
- Interact with NPCs using contextual social actions
- Build and own multiple properties
- Form relationships, including romance and marriage
- Influence entire communities through reputation
In an ambitious design choice, Playground has confirmed that every house in the game can be entered, and the world features over 1,000 individually voice-acted NPCs. This level of detail suggests a living Albion designed to reward curiosity and engagement.
Humor with a British Edge
Maintaining Fable’s unmistakable tone has been a priority for the team. Playground drew inspiration from British comedies such as Peep Show, The IT Crowd, and The Office to capture a grounded, awkward style of humor.
The writing team is led by Anna Megill, formerly of Remedy Entertainment, who serves as narrative lead. She is joined by Andrew Walsh, known for his work on Horizon Forbidden West. Together, they aim to balance heartfelt storytelling with irreverent wit.
The game’s trailers have already hinted at this tone. Actor Richard Ayoade appeared in the 2023 showcase as a sardonic giant, while Matt King was revealed in 2024 as Humphry, a retired hero reluctantly drawn back into Albion’s troubles.
Built on ForzaTech
Interestingly, Fable runs on ForzaTech, the engine originally developed for the Forza series by Turn 10 Studios. Playground believes its deep experience with open-world streaming, environmental design, and large-scale world building makes the engine a natural fit for Albion.
By mid-2023, the project had entered full production, with support from Eidos-Montréal confirmed in 2024 to help scale development.
A Major Multiplatform Release
In a notable move, Xbox confirmed in January 2026 that Fable will launch simultaneously on:
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox Series S
- Windows PC
- PlayStation 5
This marks a significant expansion for what was once a console-exclusive franchise, broadening the reboot’s reach.
The Future of Fable
With its blend of player-driven storytelling, moral consequence, open-world freedom, and distinctly British charm, Fable (2026) aims to honor the series’ legacy while reinventing it for modern audiences.
For longtime fans, it’s a return to Albion after years of silence. For newcomers, it’s a fresh invitation into a fairy tale world where your choices truly matter.
Albion is changing. The question is—what kind of hero will you become?
