Delays in AAA game releases are about as common as loading screens these days, and Fable is the latest to join that unfortunate club. Originally slated for 2025, then pushed to 2026, whispers now suggest the charming fantasy RPG might not arrive until 2027. If you thought this was just another routine slip, well, you might be right—but it’s also a sign of how long these big projects can stretch out.
Xbox insider Shpeshal Nick shared on the Xbox Era podcast that two sources told him Fable‘s release could be as late as 2027. Not because anything is catastrophically wrong, but simply because it’s taking longer than originally expected. That’s the sort of delay that makes you wonder: why announce so early?
Xbox’s Take on the Delay
Craig Duncan, Head of Xbox Game Studios, addressed the delay back in February, acknowledging that Fable would need more time beyond 2025. He sounded upbeat about Playground Games, the developer, expressing strong confidence despite pushing the launch to 2026 at that time.
“So, I just want to start with really excited, really excited about progress, really excited where Playground are,” Duncan said. “We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025, we are actually going to give Fable more time and it’s going to ship in 2026 now. While I know that’s not maybe the news people want to hear, what I want to assure people of is that it’s definitely worth the wait. And I just, I have unequivocal confidence in the Playground team.”
Unlike Perfect Dark, another Xbox reboot that was canceled after its studio was shut down, Fable seems to be on more stable ground. Playground Games has a solid track record, especially with Forza, so it’s less likely the project will face the same fate. However, multiple delays suggest the challenges of creating such a large title.
Fable was first revealed alongside the Xbox Series X and S back in 2020. Counting from then, a 2027 release would mean a seven-year wait. That’s a hefty stretch, even by AAA standards. The most recent glimpse was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024, featuring a two-and-a-half-minute trailer that offered more information than previous teasers.
Interestingly, the trailer sparked controversy online, with dislikes accumulating due to the game’s female lead not meeting certain players’ superficial expectations. It’s a shame when a game’s character design sparks culture war nonsense before release, right? However, since the lead is a created character, perhaps we can avoid some of that drama by launch day.
What do you think? Are you patient enough to wait for Fable, or has the long wait dulled your excitement? Speak yourself in the comments below!
