Fable is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in the fictional world of Albion, Fable represents the first new installment in the franchise since Lionhead Studios's Fable III in 2010. Positioned as a reboot, the game aims to update the series with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals, targeting a new generation of players. It is scheduled to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.
| Fable | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Playground Games[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Xbox Game Studios |
| Director(s) | Ralph Fulton |
| Producer(s) | Ian Mitchell |
| Designer(s) | Will Kennedy[1] |
| Programmer(s) | David Springate |
| Artist(s) | Conar Cross |
| Writer(s) |
|
| Series | Fable |
| Engine | ForzaTech |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Development of Fable began following the hiatus of the franchise after Fable: The Journey in 2012, following the closure of Lionhead Studios and the cancellation of Fable Legends in early 2016. Speculation about a new installment emerged in 2017 and gained traction with official confirmation during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020. Key developments include the recruitment of lead writer Anna Megill and collaboration with Eidos-Montréal.
Development
editFable will be the first new installment in the series since Fable: The Journey was released on Xbox 360 in 2012, having gone on hiatus with the cancellation of Fable Legends and the subsequent closure of the original developers Lionhead Studios. The first mention of a new installment in the series came in 2017, when Head of Xbox Phil Spencer said on Twitter that the franchise had "a lot of places it could go."[2]
In early 2018, Eurogamer reported that Playground Games, renowned for their work on the Forza Horizon series, had initiated the development of the fourth installment in the Fable series.[3] Later that same year, it was disclosed that Playground Games was actively recruiting for 177 positions dedicated to an open-world role-playing game.[4][5] Forbes reported on a leaked video related to Fable by Playground Games ahead of E3 2019.[6][7] In July 2020, the game was officially announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, and was touted as a "new beginning" for the series.[8][9][10]
In December 2020, Anna Megill, a former developer from Remedy Entertainment, assumed the role of lead writer for the project.[11] Megill was subsequently promoted to narrative lead in July. The game is powered by ForzaTech, an in-house engine created by Turn 10 Studios and used by both Turn 10 and Playground Games in multiple Forza games.[12] In October 2022, Andrew Walsh, senior writer for Horizon Forbidden West, joined the Fable team.[13]
In November 2022, the Xbox boss announced that the game would incorporate "high quality, crafting, and attention to detail",[14] By March 2023, the game was reported to be in the early stages of full production. On June 11, 2023, Playground Games unveiled the first in-game trailer of Fable at the Xbox Games Showcase, featuring actor Richard Ayoade.[15] On June 9, 2024, Playground Games confirmed that Eidos-Montréal is supporting the development of Fable.[16] During the Xbox Showcase in 2024, actor/comedian Matt King was revealed to be playing Humphry, the former hero of Albion who is forced out of retirement to aid the player character.[17]
Marketing and release
editFable was announced during the Xbox Showcase in 2020, alongside the Xbox Series X/S console reveals. The game received its first in-game trailer in June 2023. On June 9, 2024, Playground Games announced that the game will launch in 2025 for Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.[18]
Notes
edit- ^ Additional work by Eidos-Montréal and Third Kind Games.
References
edit- ^ "Fable 4 Everything We Know". Gamespot. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Spencer, Phil [@xboxp3] (30 April 2017). "Nothing to announce right now but I do think the IP has a lot of places it could go" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (17 January 2018). "Sources: Microsoft plots Fable return". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Madan, Asher (27 September 2018). "Playground Games hiring 177 developers for 'new AAA open world RPG'". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Kain, Erik (17 January 2018). "'Forza Horizon' Studio Reportedly Developing New Open-World 'Fable' Game For Xbox One". Forbes. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Delahunty-Light, Zoe (4 June 2019). "This Fable 4 leak says that Albion is gone, there are different planets, and seriously what the hell". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Tassi, Paul (4 June 2019). "First 'Fable 4' Details Reportedly Leak Ahead Of Its E3 Reveal For Xbox One". Forbes. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ 4K 60FPS — Official Xbox Games Showcase — Full Show [ENGLISH]. Xbox. 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ Grunin, Lori (23 July 2020). "Fable franchise gets resurrected for Xbox Series X". CNET. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ Grubb, Jeff (23 July 2020). "Fable reboot closes out Xbox Games Showcase with cinematic teaser". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ White, Lewis (17 December 2020). "Fable reboot attaches Control's Anna Megill as Lead Writer". MS Power User. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2023.[better source needed]
- ^ Wiseman, Liam (5 May 2022). "Fable Is Being Developed Using the Forza Engine". IGN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Wales, Matt (31 October 2022). "Horizon Forbidden West senior writer joins Fable reboot team". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ Bonthuys, Darryn (7 November 2022). "Xbox Games Boss Says New Fable Is Being Developed By A Team That Brings Quality And Passion To The Series". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ Spear, Rebecca (11 June 2023). "Fable gets a new trailer at Xbox Games Showcase 2023". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Catherine (9 June 2024). "Finally confirming reports, Deus Ex studio and RPG veterans are helping the Fable 4 team "craft an unforgettable adventure"". gamesradar. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "NEWSFable adds Matt King along with plenty of laughs and dark tone in new trailer". Gaming Trend. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Lyles, Taylor; Yin-Poole, Wesley (9 June 2024). "Microsoft's Fable Reboot Shown Off With New Trailer and a 2025 Release Window - Xbox Games Showcase 2024". IGN. Retrieved 9 June 2024.