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Microsoft has confirmed its Xbox Dev Direct presentation will return in January 2026, with Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty revealing that Playground Games will be showcasing gameplay from both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 during the event.
Speaking to Variety, Booty explained that Xbox has an unusually packed 2026 lineup, with more titles scheduled for release than can fit into a single presentation. "Usually, Dev Direct is about highlighting what's coming up for the year ahead. This year, we've got more stuff coming up than we can fit in one show," Booty said. "So I will tell you that Playground Games is going to be in the Dev Direct, but we'll have more stuff next year to ship than we can fit into one Dev Direct show in January, which is a good place to be."
The confirmation marks the first time Xbox has officially announced gameplay showcases for both of Playground Games' highly anticipated projects. Fable, a reboot of the beloved fantasy RPG series, has been in development for several years, with only a couple of showings, albeit impressive ones.
The inclusion of Forza Horizon 6 is also exciting, given that the series is heading to Japan and the fans of this arcade racer are dying to see first glimpses of the stunning world.
Beyond Playground's titles, Booty declined to specify which other games would appear during the January presentation, though Xbox's 2026 slate is already known to include several major releases. Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer has previously confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day and Halo: Campaign Evolved are both scheduled for 2026. Notably, Halo: Campaign Evolved will mark the first time a mainline Halo game launches on PlayStation devices, representing another major step in Microsoft's new multiplatform strategy.
The Dev Direct format has become Xbox's preferred method for deep-dive gameplay presentations, typically focusing on titles releasing within the following months. With Booty's comments suggesting even more unannounced projects beyond what the January show can accommodate, 2026 appears positioned as one of Xbox's most active release years in recent memory.
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