Fable (2025 video game) explained
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 Studioss 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.
Development of Fable began following the hiatus of the franchise after 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, indicating a focus on narrative and gameplay.
Development
Fable will be the first new installment in the series since 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."[1]
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.[2] Later that same year, it was disclosed that Playground Games was actively recruiting for 177 positions dedicated to an open-world role-playing game.[3] [4] Forbes reported on a leaked video related to Fable by Playground Games ahead of E3 2019.[5] [6] In July 2020, the game was officially announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, and was touted as a "new beginning" for the series.[7] [8] [9]
In December 2020, Anna Megill, a former developer from Remedy Entertainment, assumed the role of lead writer for the project.[10] By January 2022, Megill revealed that the studio was in search of an individual with "a creative eye for storytelling mechanics and systems, along with a deep understanding of the interactive requirements of game narrative". 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.[11] In October 2022, Andrew Walsh, senior writer for Horizon Forbidden West, joined the Fable team.[12]
In November 2022, the Xbox boss announced that the game would incorporate "high quality, crafting, and attention to detail",[13] and Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported that Eidos-Montréal was collaborating with Xbox on Fable.[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
Fable was announced during the Xbox Showcase in 2020, alongside the Xbox Series X/S console reveals. The game received its first gameplay 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
- 858710300404482048 . xboxp3 . Nothing to announce right now but I do think the IP has a lot of places it could go. . Phil . Spencer . Phil Spencer (business executive) . 30 April 2017 . 9 August 2020 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20181126203735/https://twitter.com/xboxp3/status/858710300404482048 . 26 November 2018 . live.
- Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . 17 January 2018 . Sources: Microsoft plots Fable return . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117141036/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-01-17-sources-microsoft-plots-fable-return . 17 January 2018 . 9 August 2020 . . en.
- Web site: Madan . Asher . 27 September 2018 . Playground Games hiring 177 developers for 'new AAA open world RPG' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180927190703/https://www.windowscentral.com/playground-games-hiring-177-developers-new-aaa-open-world-rpg . 27 September 2018 . 9 August 2020 . Windows Central.
- Web site: Kain . Erik . 17 January 2018 . 'Forza Horizon' Studio Reportedly Developing New Open-World 'Fable' Game For Xbox One . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117220117/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2018/01/17/forza-horizon-6-studio-reportedly-developing-new-open-world-fable-game-for-xbox-one/ . 17 January 2018 . 9 August 2020 . . en.
- Web site: Delahunty-Light . Zoe . 4 June 2019 . This Fable 4 leak says that Albion is gone, there are different planets, and seriously what the hell . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190608064027/https://www.gamesradar.com/fable-4-leak/ . 8 June 2019 . 9 August 2020 . . en.
- Web site: Tassi . Paul . 4 June 2019 . First 'Fable 4' Details Reportedly Leak Ahead Of Its E3 Reveal For Xbox One . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190604140747/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2019/06/04/first-fable-4-details-reportedly-leak-ahead-of-its-e3-reveal-for-xbox-one/ . 4 June 2019 . 9 August 2020 . . en.
- 4K 60FPS — Official Xbox Games Showcase — Full Show [ENGLISH] ]. 23 July 2020 . . 23 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200725080124/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7nkg_5ZfrM . 25 July 2020 . live . YouTube.
- Web site: Grunin . Lori . 23 July 2020 . Fable franchise gets resurrected for Xbox Series X . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723171221/https://www.cnet.com/news/fable-franchise-gets-resurrected-for-xbox-series-x/ . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . . en.
- Web site: Grubb . Jeff . 23 July 2020 . Fable reboot closes out Xbox Games Showcase with cinematic teaser . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723171517/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/23/fable-reboot-closes-out-xbox-games-showcase-with-cinematic-teaser/ . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . . en-US.
- Web site: White . Lewis . 2020-12-17 . Fable reboot attaches Control's Anna Megill as Lead Writer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117140944/https://mspoweruser.com/fable-reboot-controls-anna-megill-lead-writer-xbox/ . 17 November 2022 . 2023-02-17 . MS Power User . en-US.
- Web site: Wiseman . Liam . May 5, 2022 . Fable Is Being Developed Using the Forza Engine . . 26 May 2023 . 28 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528195255/https://www.ign.com/articles/fable-is-being-developed-using-the-forza-engine . live .
- News: Wales . Matt . 2022-10-31 . Horizon Forbidden West senior writer joins Fable reboot team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217193640/https://www.eurogamer.net/horizon-forbidden-west-senior-writer-joins-fable-reboot-team . 17 February 2023 . 2023-02-17 . . en-gb.
- Web site: 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 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318110935/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-games-boss-says-new-fable-is-being-developed-by-a-team-that-brings-quality-and-passion-to-the-series/1100-6508939/ . 18 March 2023 . 2023-02-17 . . en-US.
- News: Schreier . Jason . Jason Schreier . 2022-11-01 . Embracer Group Shuts Down Montreal Video Game Studio . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101183615/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-01/embracer-group-shuts-down-montreal-video-game-studio . 1 November 2022 . 2023-04-26 . . en.
- Web site: Spear . Rebecca . 2023-06-11 . Fable gets a new trailer at Xbox Games Showcase 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230612044138/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/fable-gets-a-new-trailer-at-xbox-games-showcase-2023 . 12 June 2023 . 2023-06-12 . . en.
- Web site: Catherine Lewis . 2024-06-09 . Finally confirming reports, Deus Ex studio and RPG veterans are helping the Fable 4 team "craft an unforgettable adventure" . 2024-06-09 . gamesradar . en.
- Web site: NEWSFable adds Matt King along with plenty of laughs and dark tone in new trailer . Gaming Trend . 9 July 2024.
- Web site: Lyles . Taylor . Yin-Poole . Wesley . 2024-06-09 . Microsoft's Fable Reboot Shown Off With New Trailer and a 2025 Release Window - Xbox Games Showcase 2024 . 2024-06-09 . IGN . en.
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