Fable's Rumored Release Date Could Put it Face to Face with…

For years, the Fable franchise has faced numerous obstacles in development that restricted the fantasy action RPG from expanding like its fellow Xbox-exclusive franchises, Halo, Forza, and Gears of War. Following the release of Fable 3, original Fable developer Lionhead Studios was forced by Microsoft to develop a spin-off game utilizing the Kinect, which became the poorly received Fable: The Journey.

Lionhead then proposed a traditional Fable 4 project to Microsoft, but instead was tasked to work on the live-service, multiplayer-focused Fable Legends, which itself was later canceled. Now, new rumors suggest that Playground Games may be facing similar issues with their own Fable title’s development, which could set the game to conflict with another upcoming fantasy game: The Elder Scrolls 6.

Fable: One Narrative Choice Could Make or Break the Protagonist

Playground Games still has quite a bit to reveal about its Fable reboot, but one aspect of its protagonist may be particularly pivotal.

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By Nick Rodriguez

Playground Games’ Fable Delay Rumors Explained

While it’s currently unknown when exactly Playground Games began developing their Fable game, this expected reboot of the Fable series was first officially announced at the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase. By 2023, Fable had reportedly entered full production and, since the game’s initial announcement, Fable has received three trailers showing some of the game’s characters and gameplay.

In 2024, Fable was originally announced to launch in 2025, but this release window was later delayed to 2026, as confirmed by Head of Xbox Game Studios Craig Duncan. Fable’s absence at the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase began to make some fans concerned about Fable’s development, with CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer only claiming that Fable would debut sometime in 2026 during the Showcase.

Some of these fears were seemingly confirmed when the XboxEra Podcast co-founder Nick "Shpeshal Nick" Baker claimed that, according to anonymous sources, Fable may be delayed again to 2027. Baker clarified that nothing is supposedly going wrong with Fable’s development; it’s just that Fable is “taking a little bit longer than they expected.” Fable is Playground Games’ first title that’s not centered around Forza Horizon, so reports of the developer having difficulties working on Fable are understandable.

If this rumor turns out to be true, it could help explain why Fable was absent from the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase in the first place. Still, XboxEra Podcast co-host Jesse Norris did note that Baker’s Xbox information is “always wrong,” so this rumor could turn out to be false.

Fable’s Potential Conflict With The Elder Scrolls 6

2026 is already slated to be a busy year for Xbox titles, with Gears of War: E-Day expected to release in 2026 to coincide with Gears’ 20th anniversary and rumors suggesting a possible Halo 7 or Halo: Combat Evolved remake release to coincide with Halo’s 25th anniversary. With an additional Call of Duty game practically guaranteed to release in 2026 as well, it could be understandable for Xbox and Playground Games to want to delay Fable to 2027, especially if Playground is facing unexpected production issues.

Based on prior Fable game releases, this new Fable could have launched in Fall 2026, but depending on whether the rumor is true and the obstacles Playground may be facing, Fable could launch in early 2027 or mid-2027.

These potential new release windows for Playground Games’ Fable could possibly cause the title to come into conflict with Bethesda’s upcoming The Elder Scrolls 6. Despite being initially announced at E3 2018, little is currently known about the setting, narrative, or gameplay of The Elder Scrolls 6. It reportedly entered full production following the release of 2023’s Starfield, and in 2024, amid The Elder Scrolls’ 30th anniversary, Bethesda did confirm that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still in development with playable early builds.

Rumors and leaks later suggested that The Elder Scrolls 6 could launch in 2026 at the earliest. But, the game’s absence at the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase makes that release window highly unlikely, unless Bethesda shadow-drops it, similar to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered's shadow drop.

Fable and The Elder Scrolls VI’s Potential Release Dates

If Fable is delayed to 2027, it could possibly be released early in the year or near the fall season to mirror the release of Fable 1. Both of these release windows could conflict with The Elder Scrolls 6’s launch, as most prior mainline Elder Scrolls games were additionally released in the spring or fall seasons.

With The Elder Scrolls 6 being a similar fantasy RPG to Fable and being one of the most anticipated games in modern gaming following the monumental success of Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls 6 could potentially steal most of Fable’s audience and lead to poor sales. However, with Starfield having a roughly five-year-long development, The Elder Scrolls 6 could possibly launch in 2028, allowing Fable to briefly shine in the fantasy spotlight.