Everything We Know About Xbox’s Fable Reboot

The legend returns, at last. Based on a recent trailer shown during the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, we have a better sense of what to expect from Fable, a reboot of the irreverent early-2000s action-RPG series. This time around, Forza Horizon developer Playground Games will take up the reins. Here's everything we know about the game billed as "a new beginning for the legendary franchise."

When Is the Fable Release Window?

Microsoft showed off more of Fable as part of its Xbox Games Showcase in June 2023 after a cheeky tease on Twitter. The company debuted another trailer, though it did not allude to a release date, making it safe to assume Fable won’t launch in 2023. With that in mind, it’s possible the game will ship in 2024 or even later.

Fable Reboot Trailer

An "official announce trailer" debuted when Fable was revealed during the Xbox Games showcase on July 23, 2020. You can watch it below:

In the trailer, a fairy flies through Fable's verdant forests, showcasing the brilliantly detailed graphics. The fairy is eaten by a toad, which is a great example of Fable's classic cheeky humor. Afterward, we're shown an unnamed kingdom. The central building looks somewhat similar to Fable 2's Fairfax Castle, but it isn't said where this kingdom is located or if we're even in Albion.

According to Fable's creative director, British actor Simon Callow provided the narrator's voice in the trailer. Callow is known for his role as Gareth in the original Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's currently unknown if Callow will portray a character in the full game or if his involvement is a one-off for the trailer. "Not all stories have happy endings," he says.

More recently, in June 2023, Microsoft offered another look at Fable with a two-minute trailer.

The upcoming game will retain the humor the series is known for, while doubling down on beautiful visuals and realistic animations. The trailer did show quick snippets of gameplay, though most of what was shown was cinematic, offering a glimpse of the world and its visuals. If the trailer is any indication, though, Fable will be an action-packed adventure.

Fable Xbox Game Pass Status

Fable will be available on Xbox Game Pass. According to the description on the Fable trailer, the new game will launch on Game Pass, which means that Xbox Series X|S owners who also subscribe to the service will be able to play it at no additional cost. This is because all first-party Microsoft games are available as part of the service on day one.

Does the Fable Reboot Connect to the Previous Games?

We're not sure how or if it connects yet. The Fable announcement trailer didn't place a number after the Fable name, and considering Microsoft has called it “a new beginning,” it’s implied the game will be a reboot.

The series narrator and primary connective tissue between games, Theresa, was seemingly killed in the Kinect game, Fable: The Journey. Her role as a seer was passed on to Gabriel, allowing for new stories to be told without playing the other Fable games.

Who Is the Fable Developer?

Oddly enough, Fable is being developed by Playground Games, best known for working on the Forza Horizon series. This will be the team’s first RPG and first game without cars, so it will certainly be interesting to see how it turns out. Given the sheer amount of polish and care given to those games, Playground has earned the benefit of the doubt with Fable.

Speaking of which, the game will run on the same engine as Forza, known as ForzaTech. This comes by way of a Software Engineer job listing, as relayed by IGN.

What Are the Fable Leaks?

Warning: Potential spoilers follow.

In June 2019, there was an alleged leak of Fable featuring a video and a few narrative tidbits.

According to the leak, here's a synopsis of the new story:

Albion and Aurora are gone. "Lands reduced to fables." The Spire was rebuilt and used by a mad king to wish that an asteroid would strike the planet. He also wished it would happen again in the far future. Eons later and everything is new (medieval themed, new continents) and you have to stop the destruction of the planet again. Theresa and a Heroes Guild are preserved on another planet via a demon door. Time Travel heavily involved in play. Jack of Blades returns.

The same leak also promises that the upcoming Fable game will be completely open-world in concept. You'll be able to ignore the main quests, avoiding your heroic destiny. If you do partake in main quests, you'll be allowed to build towns. Granted, this was four years ago at this point, so on the slim chance these details were accurate then, the project has likely evolved dramatically by now.