Xbox Developer Direct RECAP: Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and all announcements

Coverage concludes

And that concludes our coverage of Xbox Developer Direct 2026! Thank you so much for joining us and keeping up-to-date with all the announcements as they happen.

Goodbye for now!

Fable main points

• Playground Games' first open-world action role-playing game is a reboot of the series
• Developers say it's a quintessential Fable game with key choices and consequences
• Iconic Albion locations such as Bowerstone return
• Loads of customisable options for your hero
• Melee, ranged and magic attacks can be chained and all have their moments to shine
• Enemies return from the original series along with new ones
• Game lets players basically have their own simulated lives in Albion
• More than 1,000 unique voice acted NPCs with their own daily routine and personality
• Morality isn't just good and bad, each character has a different reaction to you based on what you do
• Releases on Xbox, PlayStation and PC in Autumn

Forza Horizon 6 main points

• Japanese setting looks absolutely stunning with mountainous routes and the largest city ever in a Forza Horizon game in its version of Tokyo
• Players start out as a tourist in Japan and the first goal is to compete in the qualifiers and rise through the ranks which also unlocks more of the map
• More than 550 cars at launch with the roster rebalanced
• Classic and new cars can be found on hidden driveways across the land
• Garages and estates can be customised
• Proximity radar and auto-drive are being added
• New accessibility features
• New open world car meets along with new night races down mountainous passes
• Players can create different events and experiences on different platforms
• The game releases on 19 May on Xbox and PC with a PlayStation version coming later in 2026

Beast of Reincarnation main points

• It's a one person, one dog RPG
• Gameplay is action-based where time slows when selecting certain abilities
• Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan taken over by parasitic plants known as the blight
• Tasked with taking down the Beast of Reincarnation by preparing and honing their skills
• Malefects are huge creatures taken over by the blight players have to take down
• It releases in the Summer on Xbox, PlayStation and PC

Hidden game Kiln main points

• New game from Double Fine
• Online pottery party brawler where players create pottery together and then use them to take each other on
• Out in Spring 2026 on Xbox, PlayStation and PC with a closed beta available soon

Developer Direct concludes

And that's it for Xbox Developer Direct 2026 - we'll have a quick roundup on the way shortly.

Personally speaking, Forza Horizon 6 and Fable look fantastic. Playground Games has been cooking.

More on Fable

Players can interact with the world around them in incredible detail too, buying property, romancing NPCs, having a family, getting rich, buying businesses, the whole estate of Albion, the list goes on.

Each action has a ripple effect.

There are more than 1,000 unique NPCs with their own daily routine and personality. They get up, go to work, spend time on their favourite hobbies and go to bed.

Each one can be interacted with and every single one is voiced. Everything you do affects how people think of you which build or diminish your reputation with a morality system.

Each person has a different reaction to you based on what you do. They'll remember what you did or didn't do to them.

There's a character called Dave who is an egotistical gardener who comes across magic and becomes a huge giant. You have the option to kill him with his body lying there for the rest of the game or sparing him.

Fable releases on Xbox, PlayStation and PC in Autumn.

Fable

Fable is Playground Games' first open-world action role-playing game. It's a reboot of the series.

The game is about choices and consequences with British humour, moral dilemmas and chickens have been promised. Developers say it's a quintessential Fable game.

You start as a kid where heroic powers emerge and you're Albion's first hero in a generation before your family is turned to stone, being thrust on an adventure.

Albion looks stunning with loads of different great locations. Speaking of which, Bowerstone is back.

There are loads of customisable options so you can make your hero look exactly how you want. Melee, ranged and magic attacks can be chained and all have their moments to shine.

There are enemies returning from the original series too along with new ones.

Fable... Here we go

And now, it's time for Fable.

Let's see what's shown.

Hidden game!

The rumours were true! We have an unannounced game from Double Fine called Kiln.

It's an online pottery party brawler. Players create pottery together and then use them to take each other on.

Yes, you read that right.

There are lots of creative things you can do to make pottery and this has been fused with an action game.

You start off as a helpless naked spirit not capable of much aside from manipulating clay before becoming what you make.

Then, players take each other on in different modes such as Quench, a 4v4 mode. You have to carry water into enemy territory and have to avoid being destroyed by other players.

Players can run, jump, attack and roll along with moves fit for a pot, like collecting water and spilling it back out.

Each shape has special attacks too.

At the end of a round, you earn XP and chips to then start again and make bigger and better pots.

It launches in Spring 2026 on Xbox, PlayStation and PC with a closed beta happening soon.

More on Beast of Reincarnation

Beast of Reincarnation releases in the Summer on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.

It's available to Wishlist.

It's got a bit of a mixed reception in the comments.

Beast of Reincarnation next

Next up is Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation. This is the main developer behind Pokemon.

It's set in a post-apocalyptic Japan and is described as a one-person, one-dog RPG (role playing game).

Emma and her companion, Koo, journey through a world where there are parasitic plants known as the blight which are starting to reclaim Earth.

Emma can use vines to traverse the world quickly and easily. Combat looks like a samurai-inspired action RPG.

The game focuses on nature with elements of sci-fi, giving a bit of a Horizon feel.

Emma has a special ability which lets her take the blight from others but is feared because of this and is alone.

They have to take down the Beast of Reincarnation by preparing and honing their skills.

'Malefects' are creatures that have been taken over by the blight and are huge. Environments change when you encounter heavily blighted areas.

More on Forza Horizon 6

Sound has been overhauled and cars sound incredible. Tracklists feature Japanese artists and natural sounds have been captured too.

Garages can be customised so players can put their own stamp on them. Players can invite friends over too.

The estate is the ultimate place to express creativity as it starts overgrown but you can construct in this section of the open world.

Proximity radar is being added along with auto-drive.

There's a new customisable high contrast mode too to improve accessibility features in the game.

There will be new open world car meets along with new night races down Japanese mountainous passes. That's seriously giving Carbon energy.

Players can create different events and experiences on different platforms and this building is fully multiplayer.

The game releases on 19 May on Xbox and PC with a PlayStation version coming later in 2026.

I have to say, as a big racing games fan, this looks absolutely awesome.

Forza Horizon 6 - Japan

The game's setting is being shown and it looks stunning in all seasons. The attention to detail is absolutely incredible both in the world and with the cars.

There are mountain passes and tight city streets too. Tokyo is five times larger than any other urban landscape in the Forza series.

It looks huge. Developers say exploration is at the heart of the game.

There are more than 550 cars at launch with new bodykits, aero and the ability to paint liveries on windows. The roster has been rebalanced too.

Tyre wear is visible and there are new cars to find on driveways scattered across the land. There are classic and modern Japanese cars.

Toyota GR GT is the cover star.

Forza Horizon 6

First up is Forza Horizon 6!

A very first look at gameplay shows iconic cars, that unmistakable cherry blossom and incredible stunts.

Players start out as a tourist in Japan and the first goal is to compete in qualifiers and rise through the ranks.

The map opens up as you progress too.

Here we go!

Xbox Developer Direct is underway and it's been confirmed all games shown will be available day one on Game Pass and on Xbox Play Anywhere.

Here we go with the first trailer...

What to expect

We know Xbox Developer Direct will feature Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak, the main studio behind the Pokemon games.

There are rumours a fourth game could be shown but this is currently unconfirmed. Xbox has also said 2026 is a "big year" for games ending in the number six, sparking all sorts of speculation about what that could mean.

We're about to find out...

Forza Horizon 6 cover 'leaked'

It appears the artwork for Forza Horizon 6 has leaked online.

A link to an image with bilibil-kun's name on it, a renowned leaker, appears to show a blurred out illustration of what's claimed to be the artwork.

There is speculation online the featured car is a Toyota GR GT.

This has not been officially confirmed.

One hour countdown

There's just an hour to go until the Xbox Developer Direct gets underway.

It will feature Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation gameplay and there are rumours there could be even more.

You're already in the right place so keep it locked for all the latest.

Forza Horizon 6 date 'leaked'

It seems the release date for Forza Horizon 6 has leaked online.

Renowned leaker bilibil-kun has penned an article which claims standard and deluxe editions of Forza Horizon 6 will release on 19 May with a premium edition arriving on 15 May.

bilibil-kun also claims there will be a physical version of the game for Xbox Series X and the standard edition will be priced at $69.99. Pre-orders will open at 7pm GMT (2pm ET / 11am PT), an hour after the Developer Direct starts, the leaker adds.

This seems to back up the legitimacy of a screenshot that circulated online that appeared to be from a Forza Horizon 5 screen which said: "Pre-order Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition or get the Premium upgrade featuring early access - play four days early starting 15 May."

That suggested Forza Horizon 6 will release on 19 May with an early access window, like the bilibil-kun leak.

To be clear, none of this has been officially confirmed.

Official Fable Discord launched

Playground Games has announced an official Fable Discord server has launched.

Fans willing to join can do so at the link shared in the social media post embedded above.

What will be announced at Xbox Developer Direct?

So far, we know Xbox Developer Direct will feature Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak, the main studio behind the Pokemon games.

A first look at gameplay from all three titles will be shared during the stream from developers themselves, along with key updates about where exactly things are at with each game and what to expect.

Starting with Fable, a first in-depth look will be shared revealing "the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay", according to an Xbox release.

Playground Games is the developer behind Fable and Forza Horizon 6, which will also be appearing during the livestream.

Forza Horizon 6 will be set in Japan and developers will share a "deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features - and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new instalment".

Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation will feature too, which is set in a profound and dangerous post-apocalyptic Japan. It focuses on a young protagonist called Emma along with her canine companion Koo.

Developers will "reveal details of Emma's innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with Koo".

There are rumours a fourth game could be shown but this is currently unconfirmed. Xbox has also said 2026 is a "big year" for games ending in the number six, sparking all sorts of speculation about what that could mean.

We don't have too long now until we find out.

How can I watch Xbox Developer Direct?

Xbox is streaming the event across its channels, including YouTube, Twitch and Facebook, with a number of different options, including with ASL and audio descriptions.

Other live languages will be available on regional Xbox channels with additional languages added afterwards.

It can also be viewed on Steam and will air on China's Bilibili platform tomorrow (Friday 23 January).

The stream will be broadcast in 4K at 60 fps (frames per second).

What time does Xbox Developer Direct start?

Xbox Developer Direct starts at 6pm GMT (1pm ET / 10am PT).

Previous Developer Directs have lasted around 45-50 minutes so expect something similar this time around.

Hello!

Hello and welcome to the indy100 live blog for Xbox Developer Direct - I'm Jake Brigstock and I'll be covering the stream as it happens, bringing you all the latest.

We already know three of the games that will be announced, with a first look at gameplay shown for each - but could we see even more?

Be sure to stay tuned to stay up-to-date with all the latest as it happens.