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| Fable reboot shown playing on PS5 |
January 11, 2026 — The beloved fantasy world of Albion is poised to reach its widest audience ever. Video Games Chronicle has confirmed that the long-awaited Fable reboot from Playground Games is officially in development for PlayStation 5. This confirmation, which aligns with a significant shift in Microsoft's gaming strategy, sparks the critical question: will PS5 players gain access to the adventure on the very same day as Xbox and PC users?
The news arrives as anticipation builds for the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct on January 22nd, where Fable is slated to be a headline feature. According to VGC, the show will also feature a secret, unannounced fourth game from an Xbox first-party studio, rounding out a presentation focused on the platform's major 2026 releases.
A Leaker's Theory: The Delay That Could Unite Platforms
The path to this multi-platform revelation has been winding. Initially announced in 2020 with a subsequent target of 2025, Fable was delayed to 2026 in an update from Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan last February. At the time, the reason given was simply that the game needed more time in development.
However, noted leaker NateTheHate2 offered a compelling theory on the ResetEra forums. They speculated that the extra time wasn't just for polish, but also to engineer a simultaneous cross-platform launch. "If I had to speculate as to why Fable was delayed," they wrote, "it's to allow some extra time for polish & to make the PS5 version a Day 1 release alongside Xbox/PC because the PS5 version was always slated for 2026."
Read the full ResetEra discussion on the Fable delay and its implications.
Following VGC's confirmation of the PS5 version, the leaker reiterated their stance on Reddit, stating, "The only unknown is whether the game will be day & date on PS5 with the Xbox release." This central question is what fans now hope will be answered during the January 22nd Developer Direct.
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| Fable reboot shown playing on PS5 |
The Bigger Picture: Xbox Exclusivity Fades into Fantasy
Fable's journey to PS5 is not an isolated incident but a key chapter in Microsoft's evolving philosophy. Under the leadership of Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and President Sarah Bond, the company has increasingly dismissed traditional console exclusivity as "antiquated." The strategy has already seen landmark releases like Halo: Combat Evolved and Gears of War: Reloaded arrive on PlayStation, though these were remasters of classic titles.
Fable represents something new: a ground-up reboot of a flagship Xbox RPG franchise, developed by a premier first-party studio, potentially launching day-and-date on a rival console. This move signifies a deeper commitment to a multi-platform future than ever before.
Yet, the strategy appears selective. Also featured in the upcoming Developer Direct is Forza Horizon 6, which is confirmed for a later PS5 release, not a simultaneous one. This suggests Microsoft is carefully choosing which titles benefit from a day-one cross-platform launch, likely based on their potential for massive, ecosystem-agnostic sales.
What to Expect from the Fable Reboot and January's Direct
Very little is known about the new Fable's gameplay, making its segment in the Developer Direct one of the most anticipated reveals in years. Playground Games, best known for the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, is reimagining Lionhead's classic universe. Promises include a vast, open-world Albion filled with new regions, dynamic morality systems, and the series' signature humor.
Get VGC's full report on the Xbox Developer Direct lineup and the secret fourth game.
The January 22nd event will be crucial for setting expectations. While a firm release date within 2026 is almost guaranteed, all eyes will be on the small print of the announcement trailer. The wording regarding platform availability will confirm whether NateTheHate2's theory was correct and if the new era of Albion will truly begin for all players at the same time.
What do you think about Fable coming to PS5? Are you more likely to play it if it releases simultaneously on all platforms? Let us know in the comments below.