Microsoft has officially outlined its plans for the first major gaming showcase of 2026, confirming that the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct will be dominated by two long-awaited titles from British studio Playground Games.
A Slimline Showcase for January
In a post on the official Xbox Wire blog, the company confirmed that the Developer Direct is scheduled for Thursday, 22 January 2026, at 6pm GMT. This annual event, a staple since 2023, will this year feature a notably shorter lineup than usual. While past showcases have highlighted four or five games, the January presentation will focus on just three titles, with no brand-new game announcements expected.
Microsoft had previously hinted that with a packed 2026 release schedule, not every game could be squeezed into one show. However, the limited scope of this event has still raised eyebrows among fans anticipating more reveals.
Playground Games in the Spotlight
The bulk of the broadcast will be dedicated to updates from Leamington Spa-based developer Playground Games. The studio will deliver substantial new looks at both of its major projects.
First, Forza Horizon 6 will receive its first proper gameplay debut during the show. More details on its highly anticipated open-world racing are expected. Secondly, the showcase will offer a much deeper dive into the reboot of Fable. Despite being announced in 2020, concrete details on the fantasy role-playing game have been scarce. Past trailers have offered mere glimpses of combat, but the Developer Direct promises extended gameplay demonstrations, finally pulling back the curtain on the project which was delayed from a planned 2025 release.
Rumours have long suggested Fable's combat may take inspiration from CD Projekt's The Witcher series, though this has never been verified by Playground or Xbox.
The Third Contender and Multiplatform Plans
The only other game confirmed for the show is Beast Of Reincarnation, an action RPG from Pokémon creator Game Freak. It was first revealed at last year's Xbox summer event.
In line with Microsoft's current strategy, the blog post notes that both Forza Horizon 6 and Beast Of Reincarnation are slated for release on PlayStation 5, though the racing title may launch on Xbox first. While Fable has not been formally announced as a multiplatform title, Microsoft's recent policy shifts make it highly likely it will follow suit.
Speculation suggests Microsoft may be saving its bigger announcements for a summer showcase. 2026 is a landmark year, marking the 25th anniversary of the Xbox brand and the 40th anniversary of Bethesda. Projects like the Halo 1 remake, the Gears of War prequel 'E-Day', and potential new entries in the Wolfenstein or Quake series are all expected within the year, but not at this January event.
With the blog post hinting at no further surprises, and Xbox's historical difficulty in keeping secrets, it appears this Developer Direct will be a focused, if somewhat sparse, preview of three key 2026 releases.
