"Fable's Release Pushed to 2026, Microsoft Unveils Pre-Alpha Gameplay"

Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated reboot of the Fable franchise, originally slated for a 2025 release, has been delayed until 2026. Developed by the UK's Playground Games, renowned for their acclaimed Forza Horizon series, this new iteration of Fable promises to bring the beloved Xbox franchise back to life with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.

In a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, shared insights into the project's progress. "Really excited about progress," Duncan stated, emphasizing the team's dedication and the game's potential. He assured fans that the delay would result in a superior gaming experience, citing Playground's track record with Forza Horizon, which boasts critically acclaimed titles with Metacritic scores of 92 and numerous awards.

Duncan highlighted the unique elements Playground is bringing to Fable, including "amazing gameplay, British humor, and Playground's version of Albion." He described the upcoming game as "the most beautifully realized version of Albion you've ever seen," combining the studio's signature visual quality with the charm and wit of the Fable series.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft unveiled a 50-second pre-alpha gameplay teaser. This brief glimpse showcased Fable's combat system, featuring various weapons like one-handed swords, two-handed hammers, and two-handed swords, as well as magical fireball attacks. The footage also included scenes of the main character navigating a fantasy-styled forest on horseback and even engaging in the classic Fable tradition of kicking a chicken. A cutscene revealed a clever trap involving sausages to lure a werewolf-type creature, setting the stage for an intriguing battle.

Fable's revival was first announced in 2020 as a "new beginning" for the franchise. Subsequent reveals at the 2023 Xbox Game Showcase and the 2024 Xbox Showcase event, featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, have kept fans eagerly awaiting the game's release. This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010 and stands as one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming titles.

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