TheFablereboot is reportedly in danger of slipping into 2027. This possibility is bound to disappoint many a fan, not least because it’s only been a few months sinceFablesuffered a big delay.
The fourth mainline installment in theFablefranchisewas originally announced with a cinematic trailer at the July 2020 edition of the Xbox Games Showcase. The first trailer rendered in the game’s ForzaTech engine debuted three years later. In June 2024, developer Playground Games committed to a 2025 release window for the open-world RPG. Come February 2025, this launch timeframe was pushed back to 2026.
Even this revised release window is not a sure thing, according to XboxEra co-founder Nick “Shpeshal Nick” Baker. During a July 19 episode of The XboxEra Podcast, Baker said that anotherFabledelayis on the cards, citing sources familiar with the game’s development. “I’ve heard from two different people now that Fable may slip to 2027,” he explained around the 1:38:59 mark.
Another Potential Fable Delay Reportedly Isn’t Cause for Alarm
Elaborating on this claim, Baker said that it’s not meant to imply “doom, gloom, ‘argh, there’s something wrong with the game’ [type of] problems.” Instead, he framed the potential second delay as the unavoidable side effect of the somewhat unpredictable nature of complex software development. “[I am] just hearing that it’s taking a bit longer than they expected,” he explained.
Taking the newFablerumorat face value, the characterization of a 2027 release as “taking a bit longer” suggests that Playground Games may have originally targeted a 2025 holiday season launch. That timing would align with what is traditionally the most lucrative period of the year for video game publishing. However, if a second delay does materialize, the likelihood of Fable being postponed by a full year solely to retain a holiday release window may diminish. The RPG was announced over six years ago, and fan impatience continues to grow.
I’ve heard from two different people now thatFablemay slip to 2027. And not-that’s not dooom, gloom, ‘argh, there’s something wrong with the game,’ problems. Just hearing that it’s taking a bit longer than they expected.
Since the reboot was first unveiled ahead of the current console generation, Microsoft was still operating as a traditional gaming platform holder, primarily looking to leverage its first-party titles to boost the value proposition of its hardware. A lot has changed since then, with the tech giant responding to declining console sales by starting to embrace the role of a more traditional third-party publisher. This development raises thepossibility ofFable 4releasing on the PlayStation 5, either day one or eventually. Once the open-world RPG finally hits the market, Playground Games may return to itsForza Horizonseries, which has been without a new mainline entry since 2021.
