Fable - Release Window, Story, Character Customization, & Gameplay Details

Several details about the new Fable game have been revealed, including its release window, how its story will work, character customization information, and gameplay mechanics. Officially announced in 2020 (though rumors about its existence date back to 2018), the new reboot in the series is being handled by Playground Games, the studio behind the upcoming Forza Horizon 6. The game will represent the first new core game since 2010, when Fable 3 was released.

Since its announcement, there haven’t been too many updates about the game, aside from some minor snippets about new features. With the Xbox Developer Direct showcase in January 2026, however, a lot of information about the game was revealed. Now, we know a lot more about Fable, what players will get to do in Albion, as well as when they will gain access to the title.

Fable - Release Window & Platforms

The Game Arrives In 2026

One of the main pieces of information that was revealed is regarding the release window for Fable. While it’s still unclear precisely when the game will be released, it has been revealed that Fable will arrive in Autumn 2026. This means that the game can be released between mid-September and mid-December this year.

In addition to the release window, it was also announced that Fable will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Based on the announcement, the game will arrive simultaneously for all the aforementioned platforms, unlike Playground’s Forza Horizon 6, which arrives later on for PlayStation platforms, after its release on Xbox consoles.

Fable - Story

The New Game Is A Full Reboot

In terms of story, it’s still unclear exactly what the campaign will look and feel like. The deep-dive into Fable, as confirmed by Xbox Wire, is a full reboot of the series. The developers are not directly linked to the original trilogy, and the events that will occur in the new game will make it feel like “a new beginning”.

The game will start off following your custom character as a child, and see them grow as their powers surge. After a time skip, your adult self is presented in Briar Hill. There, a mysterious visitor turns your character’s grandmother and all the other villagers into stone. From there on out, you’ll be tasked with leaving and exploring the world.

Henceforth, the story will unfold, and a lot of it will change depending on how you play the game. The way you interact with NPCs and the choices you make down the road impact the story and the world. A lot of these missions may be side quests, but they all connect to the overarching story being told.

Fable - Character Customization

You’ll Be Able To Craft Your Own Hero

Playground Games confirmed that players will be able to customize their characters in Fable, which had long been requested – and a feature that wasn’t fully explored in the previous entries. This time around, you’ll have a deep customization tool for your character, being able to select aspects like gender, ethnicity, and body type, and more.

According to the studio, the moving force behind the implementation of this tool is to give players the ability to craft the character they idealize for this magical journey. “In Fable, you can be the hero you want to be in every sense,” said game director Ralph Fulton in the interview with Xbox Wire.

The character customization tool was only briefly shown during the Xbox Developer Direct event, so it’s unclear exactly how many options you’ll have. Even so, this is already a huge step forward when analyzing the previous games in the series. This stacks with the gear options you’ll have, which will help your hero become even more unique.

Fable - Gameplay Details

There’s A Lot To Do In Albion

Even though the game will retain a lot of the essence that made the previous titles so great, there are already a lot of notable changes to gameplay. Perhaps also thanks to technical improvements, combat and exploration feel a lot more fluid and realistic. You’ll have a variety of weapons to wield, as well as magic that you can gradually unlock via a skill tree to reach your optimal character build.

This is, most likely, the largest open-world map in the Fable series, too. Based on the trailer, the world feels rich and well-developed. Aside from the regular gameplay loop you’ll be involved with as you progress during the campaign, there are also several side endeavors you can take on.

This includes becoming a smith, managing a village as a landlord, and even starting a family with NPCs – a feature that helped the previous Fable games to stand out. There is likely a ton to do and see in the new game, and this variety of options will compose the gameplay loop.

Is Fable A Day-One Release On Game Pass?

The New Game Arrives On Consoles & PC

Members of Xbox Game Pass will get access to Fable as a day-one release. This is a benefit that is exclusive to the Ultimate tier, as the Essential and Premium tiers do not receive day-one releases since the subscription service’s rework in 2025. This applies to both Xbox Series X/S consoles and PC (via Xbox).

The return to the franchise is a monumental one, and for now, it seems like it will not only pay tribute to what made the series so beloved over a decade ago but also bring a series of improvements and new features that should captivate players. After years of waiting, it’s only a matter of waiting for the new Fable.