Fable Reboot Could Be Pushed to 2027 — But Don’t Panic Just Yet

The long-awaited Fable reboot may not arrive until 2027, according to new insider reports. For fans, this potential delay comes as a blow — especially since the game had already suffered a major pushback earlier this year.

Originally revealed with a cinematic trailer during the Xbox Games Showcase in July 2020, the fourth mainline installment in the Fable series had been slowly making its way through development. A more in-depth, in-engine trailer powered by ForzaTech finally dropped in mid-2023. Then in June 2024, developer Playground Games publicly committed to a 2025 release window for the open-world RPG. However, just months later in February 2025, the timeline shifted again — this time to 2026.

And even that might not stick.

According to Nick "Shpeshal Nick" Baker, co-founder of XboxEra, there's a growing possibility that Fable could be delayed once more, potentially slipping into 2027. Speaking during the July 19 episode of The XboxEra Podcast, Baker stated:

"I've heard from two different people now that Fable may slip to 2027."

No Cause for Alarm, Say Insiders

Importantly, Baker emphasized that this delay shouldn’t be seen as a red flag.

“It’s not doom and gloom or ‘something’s wrong with the game,’” he said. “It’s just taking a bit longer than expected.”

That framing suggests the delay is more about polishing and managing development timelines than dealing with major internal issues. If the studio had initially hoped for a Holiday 2025 launch — a prime release window in the gaming industry — pushing the game into 2027 would signal a significant shift. Yet with Fable having been announced more than six years ago, the pressure from fans is steadily growing.

A Changing Strategy at Microsoft

It’s worth noting that Fable was announced during a very different era for Xbox. At the time, Microsoft was doubling down on exclusive first-party titles to drive console sales. Since then, however, the company has started transitioning toward a broader publishing model — embracing multiplatform releases in response to declining hardware sales.

This shift opens up the real possibility that Fable might not remain an Xbox exclusive. A release on PlayStation 5, whether at launch or later, is no longer out of the question.

And once Fable finally makes its debut, fans of Playground Games may see the return of another beloved franchise — Forza Horizon. The last mainline entry dropped in 2021, and the studio has been focused on Fable ever since.