"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 sometime in 2026. This news came alongside an exciting first look at new pre-alpha gameplay footage, offering fans a glimpse into what the UK studio Playground, known for the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, is crafting.

In the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast, Craig Duncan, who transitioned from Rare studio head to head of Xbox Game Studios last fall, addressed the delay. Duncan expressed his excitement about the progress and reassured fans that the additional time would ensure a game "definitely worth the wait." He highlighted Playground's impressive track record with the Forza Horizon series, which has consistently achieved high critical acclaim, including a 92 Metacritic score.

Duncan emphasized that Playground's take on Fable would blend stunning visuals with engaging gameplay and the series' signature British humor. He promised a beautifully realized version of Albion, the game's fantasy world, which would honor the franchise's legacy while introducing Playground's unique vision.

Alongside the delay announcement, Microsoft released 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay, showcasing various elements such as combat with different weapons, including a one-handed sword, a two-handed hammer, and a two-handed sword, as well as a fireball magic attack. The footage also included scenes of city walking, a character riding a horse through a fantasy forest, and the classic Fable touch of kicking a chicken. Additionally, a cutscene featured a man setting a trap with sausages to lure a werewolf-like creature, which the protagonist then battles.

Fable, first announced in 2020 as a "new beginning," has been eagerly anticipated by fans of the series. The 2023 Xbox Game Showcase provided an initial reveal featuring Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd, followed by another trailer at the Xbox Showcase event in June 2024. This reboot marks the first mainline Fable game since Fable 3 in 2010 and stands as one of Xbox Game Studios' most significant upcoming releases.

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