Fable (2025 video game)

Fable is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in the fictional world of Albion, Fable represents the first new installment in the franchise since Fable III in 2010. Positioned as a reboot, the game aims to update the series with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals, targeting a new generation of players. It is scheduled to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.

Development of Fable began following the hiatus of the franchise after Fable: The Journey in 2012, following the closure of Lionhead Studios and the cancellation of Fable Legends in 2016. Speculation about a new installment emerged in 2017 and gained traction with official confirmation during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020. Key developments include the recruitment of lead writer Anna Megill and collaboration with Eidos-Montréal, indicating a focus on narrative and gameplay.

Development
Fable will be the first new installment in the series since Fable: The Journey was released on Xbox 360 in 2012, having gone on hiatus with the cancellation of Fable Legends and the subsequent closure of the original developers Lionhead Studios. The first mention of a new installment in the series came in 2017, when Head of Xbox Phil Spencer said on Twitter that the franchise had "a lot of places it could go."

In early 2018, Eurogamer reported that Playground Games, renowned for their work on the Forza Horizon series, had initiated the development of the fourth installment in the Fable series. Later that same year, it was disclosed that Playground Games was actively recruiting for 177 positions dedicated to an open-world role-playing game. Forbes reported on a leaked video related to Fable by Playground Games ahead of E3 2019. In July 2020, the game was officially announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, and was touted as a "new beginning" for the series.

In December 2020, Anna Megill, a former developer from Remedy Entertainment, assumed the role of lead writer for the project. By January 2022, Megill revealed that the studio was in search of an individual with "a creative eye for storytelling mechanics and systems, along with a deep understanding of the interactive requirements of game narrative." Megill was subsequently promoted to narrative lead in July. In October 2022, Andrew Walsh, senior writer for Horizon Forbidden West, joined the Fable team.

In November 2022, the Xbox boss announced that the game would incorporate "high quality, crafting, and attention to detail", and Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported that Eidos-Montréal was collaborating with Xbox on Fable. By March 2023, the game was reported to be in the early stages of full production. On June 11, 2023, Playground Games unveiled the first in-game trailer of Fable at the Xbox Games Showcase, featuring actor Richard Ayoade. On June 9, 2024, Playground Games confirmed that Eidos-Montréal is supporting the development of Fable. During the Xbox Showcase in 2024, actor/comedian Matt King (comedian) was revealed to be playing Humphry, the former hero of Albion who is forced out of retirement to aid the player character.

Marketing and release
Fable was announced during the Xbox Showcase in 2020, alongside the Xbox Series X/S console reveals. The game received its first gameplay trailer in June 2023. On June 9, 2024, Playground Games announced that the game will launch in 2025 for Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.