While it didn"t have much to show at The Game Awards 2025 presentation last month, Microsoft teased that it will have a brand-new Developer_Direct event in January. Now, the company has gone ahead and confirmed what fans will get to see at the event and the date it"s happening on.
As previously announced, Playground Games is a big focus here. Two of its highly anticipated games, Fable and Forza Horizon 6, are gaining extended looks straight from the UK studio. At the same time, a portion of the show will be dedicated to Beast of Reincarnation, the next title from the Pokemon developer Game Freak.
The Fable reboot from Playground Games has a 2026 release window, and this should be the first time that gameplay will be present in a major way. Originally announced in 2023, the game has only received teasers and tiny snippets of in-game looks so far, and it was delayed out of 2025 as Microsoft decided to give the studio more time to get the project together.
"Devs from the Playground team will unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay," added the announcement. "Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike."
Next, Forza Horizon 6"s deep dive will give fans of the racing franchise a first look at the next installment of the open-world racer. With Japan as its setting, the studio plans to show off the new landscapes players will be racing in, as well as new features hitting this entry.
Lastly, Game Freak will be giving a first look at Beast of Reincarnation"s protagonist, Emma, and her plant manipulation powers. Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, the game has players exploring the land with a canine companion to save humanity, with plenty of Souls-like combat.
The first Xbox Developer_Direct of 2026 will be kicking off on January 22 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM UK.