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In a now-annual tradition, Microsoft is kicking off the year with a showcase of some of its biggest upcoming games.
Last year’s edition of the Xbox Developer Direct had some big names, like Doom: The Dark Ages and a little game called Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. And we already know the three main titles that will be showcased in the 2026 version. They include Forza Horizon 6 (which looks like it’ll be launching in May), the oft-delayed fantasy RPG Fable, and Beast of Reincarnation, the action RPG from Pokémon developer Game Freak. Microsoft says that the event will include “news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.”
Of course, there’s always a chance that there will be a surprise or two, and you can stay tuned here for all the latest developments. You can also watch the showcase live on YouTube when it starts streaming on January 22nd at 1PM ET.
Fable is coming to PS5 when it finally launches this fall
Xbox showed off new footage of its Fable reboot during its Developer Direct on Thursday and announced that the game is set to launch this autumn for Xbox, PC, and PS5.
The new Fable is an open-world action RPG. In addition to letting you customize your character and your combat skills, you can also do not-heroic things like build a house (or many) and romance and marry a villager (or many). Characters in the game will react to how you’ve treated them or your reputation — if you’ve evicted a villager from one of your houses, they might greet you with disdain.
Here’s a new look at Beast of Reincarnation, from the team behind Pokémon
Image: Fictions
It’s been a bit of a wait, but a big new game from Pokémon developer Game Freak is almost here. During the Xbox Developer Direct showcase, the studio showed off more gameplay for its action RPG Beast of Incarnation, and confirmed that it will be launching in the summer of 2026 on the PS5, Xbox, and PC.
Here’s the overview that aired during the event:
The dog days of summer.
While it doesn’t have a specific release date, the ambitious action RPG Beast of Reincarnation — which is developed by Pokémon studio Game Freak — will be launching this summer. And yeah, you can pet the dog.
Breaking pots, the game.
Double Fine just announced a new multiplayer party game called Kiln where you can make and play as pots. It all looks quite silly. Kiln will be available this spring on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, and there will be a closed beta.
Forza Horizon 6 launches in May
Forza Horizon 6 will launch on Xbox Series X / S and PC on May 19th, Xbox and developer Playground Games announced during Thursday’s Developer Direct showcase. If you preorder the Premium Edition, you can play starting May 15th. The game will come to PS5 later this year.
The game has the largest map in a Forza Horizon game, Playground Games said during the event. In the stream, Playground showed off a bunch of different environments, including dense urban areas and lush natural landscapes. Forza Horizon 6 will have more than 550 cars at launch, more than has ever been available at launch for a Forza Horizon title.
The next Xbox Developer Direct starts in 30 minutes.
You can catch the show on YouTube starting at 1PM ET. The event will feature the Playground Games’ Fable and Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak. We’ll be watching the livestream and covering what’s announced.
Xbox’s Developer Direct returns on January 22nd with Fable and Forza Horizon 6 gameplay
Image: Microsoft
Microsoft’s annual Xbox Developer Direct event is taking place on January 22nd this year. The fourth Developer Direct will provide a closer look at two of Microsoft’s biggest Xbox games this year, Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, as well as a first in-depth look at Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak.
Playground Games will debut the first gameplay of Forza Horizon 6 during the Developer Direct show, after first revealing that the next installment in the Forza Horizon franchise is set in Japan. Forza Horizon 6 players will be able to experience the neon lights and buildings of Tokyo City, as well as an open world set in various other parts of Japan.
