After more than a decade without a mainline entry and years of development at Playground Games, Fable is finally coming back. The beloved British fantasy RPG series is being rebooted for a new generation, bringing the whimsical world of Albion to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC this fall. Here’s everything we know about Playground Games’ ambitious new take on the franchise.
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Quick Facts
| Release Date | Autumn 2026 |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam), Cloud Gaming |
| Developer | Playground Games (with support from Eidos-Montréal) |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Genre | Open-World Action RPG |
| Game Pass | Day One (Ultimate and PC tiers) |
What Is Fable?
Fable is an open-world action RPG set in the fairy tale realm of Albion. Originally created by Lionhead Studios under the legendary Peter Molyneux, the series became famous for its British humor, moral choice systems, and the ability to live an entire life within the game—from childhood to becoming a legendary hero, complete with romance, property ownership, and consequences for every action.
This new entry serves as a complete reboot rather than Fable 4, giving Playground Games creative freedom to tell their own story in the world of Albion. The studio, best known for the Forza Horizon series, has been working on Fable since 2017, applying their expertise in open-world design and the powerful ForzaTech engine to create a stunning medieval British fantasy landscape.
Release Date & Platforms
Fable will launch in Autumn 2026 (September–November) across multiple platforms simultaneously.
Confirmed Platforms:
- Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 5
- PC (Steam and Microsoft Store)
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Supported Gaming Handhelds
This marks a significant moment for Xbox first-party games, as Fable will launch day one on PlayStation 5—a clear sign of Microsoft’s multiplatform publishing strategy. Xbox players also get the benefit of Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning one purchase works on both Xbox and PC.
For Game Pass subscribers, Fable will be available day one on both Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers.
Story & Setting
Fable begins with players as a child in Albion who discovers heroic powers early in life. After a significant time jump, you continue as an adult hero in your home village of Briar Hill. The adventure truly begins when a mysterious stranger turns your grandmother and the entire village to stone, sending you on a quest to uncover what happened and potentially save them.
The world of Albion returns with its signature fairy tale aesthetic—this is described as a “fairy tale world” rather than a traditional fantasy setting. You’ll explore locations ranging from rural villages to the capital city of Bowerstone, which houses Fairfax Castle and the Heroes’ Guild.
While Playground Games has confirmed this is a reboot that doesn’t continue previous storylines, they’ve hinted that some elements of the original lore remain important to their story. Game director Ralph Fulton has been coy about potential connections, stating: “We share lore and some of that originating lore of the Fable universe is really important to our story.”
Gameplay
Fable features third-person action RPG gameplay with a “style weaving” combat philosophy. Players can fluidly blend melee weapons, ranged attacks, and magic to create their preferred fighting style.
Combat Features:
- Light and heavy melee combos with stylish finishers
- Swords, bows, and an array of magical spells
- Classic Fable creatures like Hobbes and Balverines return
- New enemies alongside returning favorites
World Interaction:
Playground Games has made a massive commitment to hand-crafted content. The game features over 1,000 unique, fully voice-acted NPCs—no procedural generation. Every house in Albion can be entered, and the social systems are remarkably deep:
- Buy, rent, or own any property in the game
- Become a beloved landlord or notorious slumlord
- Date, marry, have children, and divorce nearly any NPC
- Take on jobs like blacksmithing
- Build reputation that varies by town and action
Morality System:
Gone are the days of simple good and evil alignment with halos and horns. Instead, Fable uses a reputation-based system where individual NPCs form their own opinions of you based on your actions. You could be hailed as a saint in one town while being known as a “rich twat” in another.
Trailers
The most recent look at Fable came during the Xbox Developer Direct on January 22, 2026, where Playground Games showcased extensive gameplay footage for the first time.
Watch the Fable Gameplay Overview from Xbox Developer Direct 2026 on YouTube
The footage revealed stunning visuals powered by the ForzaTech engine, showcasing Albion’s medieval British countryside in breathtaking detail. Combat, exploration, and the game’s signature humor were all on display.
Actor Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) appeared in the 2023 teaser trailer playing a character named Dave—a giant who becomes giant after finding a magic growth formula. Players will decide his fate, with the consequences literally reshaping the landscape.
Platforms & Game Pass Details
Fable supports Xbox Play Anywhere, so purchasing once grants access on both Xbox and PC at no additional cost. The game is optimized for Xbox Series X|S and will take full advantage of the hardware.
Game Pass Plans:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — Day One access
- PC Game Pass — Day One access
Cloud gaming will also be available for Game Pass subscribers, allowing play on supported devices without downloads.
Latest News
January 22, 2026: Xbox Developer Direct revealed extensive gameplay, confirmed the Autumn 2026 release window, and announced simultaneous launch on PlayStation 5.
January 8, 2026: Xbox confirmed Fable would be featured at Developer Direct alongside Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation.
February 25, 2025: Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan announced Fable’s delay from 2025 to 2026, stating the team needed “more time.”
June 2024: Xbox Showcase confirmed Eidos-Montréal joined to support development, and revealed actor Matt King (Peep Show) voices Humphry, a former hero of Albion forced out of retirement.
FAQ
When does Fable come out?
Fable releases in Autumn 2026 (September–November) for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Is Fable on Game Pass?
Yes! Fable will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Is Fable coming to PlayStation?
Yes, Fable will launch simultaneously on PS5 alongside Xbox and PC—a first for a major Xbox first-party RPG.
Is this Fable 4?
No, this is officially just called “Fable” and serves as a reboot. Playground Games chose to tell a fresh story in Albion rather than continue Lionhead’s timeline.
Will there be a dog companion?
Unfortunately, no. Game director Ralph Fulton confirmed the dog was cut during development, a decision that “a substantial number of people on the team have yet to forgive” him for. Horses are the main companions in this entry.
Can you play Fable solo?
Yes, Fable is a single-player experience. There has been no mention of co-op multiplayer modes.
Summary
After years of anticipation, Fable is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious RPGs of 2026. Playground Games has shown they understand what made the original trilogy special while bringing fresh ideas to the table—over 1,000 hand-crafted NPCs, a nuanced reputation system, and stunning visuals powered by ForzaTech. With day-one Game Pass access and a simultaneous PS5 launch, this reboot is positioned to introduce Albion to a whole new generation of players.
We’ll keep this article updated as more information emerges. Stay tuned for further reveals as we approach the Autumn 2026 launch.