Fable, the open-world action RPG from Playground Games, got a lot of attention at the Xbox Developer Direct on Thursday. First-party Xbox Studios has revealed details about the game, promising a “truly open world” driven by player choice and action. Fable is also confirmed to launch on PS5 in fall 2026, alongside PC and Xbox Series S/X.
Playground Games, best known for its critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series of open-world racing games, said Fable will be a “fresh start” but will remain true to Lionhead Studios’ original trilogy.
In a gameplay overview, the studio detailed Fable’s setting, choice-based gameplay, NPC interactions, character creation, and a new morality system. The action RPG will mark a reboot of the Fable series, but will retain the series’ “fairytale” essence. Playground Games stressed that the game will be full of British humor, just like the old Fable games.
Fables and open world
In another nod to the original trilogy, players will begin their childhood journey in Fable, growing up in a village called Briar Hill. Here, players will discover their hero powers. But the village’s idyll collapses when a mysterious stranger turns the entire village and its inhabitants to stone.
From here, players will embark on an adventure that will have profound consequences for Thornhill and the larger world of Albion.
According to Playground Games, Albion is a vast open world with diverse landscapes such as rolling hills, magical forests, bustling villages, and stunning vistas. Playground says Albion will be a “truly open world,” allowing players to seamlessly explore the map from early in the game without any restrictions.
Fable will feature a “true open world”
Photo credit: Microsoft/Playground Games
In addition to its sleepy hamlets and villages, Albion will also have large cities, most notably the capital Ballstone, where players will find Fairfax Castle and the Guild of Heroes.
Fable also allows players to choose a character template and customize clothing, hair, skin tone, tattoos and other details to create a unique hero. Likewise, the game will give players the option to play however they want, learn their preferred skills and abilities, and use their preferred weapons, with a mix of melee, ranged, and magic combat mechanics.
In melee combat, players can use light and heavy attack combos and perform finishing moves as they stagger enemies. Magical abilities in the form of spells will allow players to manipulate and damage enemies.
Players can customize their characters in Fable
Photo credit: Microsoft/Playground Games
NPCs and Moral Systems in Fables
Playground Games also emphasized NPC interaction in Fable. Players can buy houses or businesses, find jobs, become rich, marry NPCs, and even have children in the game. The studio said there are more than 1,000 NPCs in the game, with different names, daily routines and personalities. You can hire an NPC to work for you, rent your house to them, or even chase them off the streets.
Therefore, every interaction and decision affects how NPCs view you. Depending on your actions, you may be loved or despised in different areas. The game will also be filled with choices large and small that will shape the story and affect your reputation.
Playground Games has yet to confirm a release date for Fable, but the action-RPG will launch in fall 2026 on PC (via Steam and the Xbox app), PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one.
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