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Xbox has announced that it will air a Developer Direct showcase later this month on Thursday, January 22, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. It will feature Playground Games’ Fable and Forza Horizon 6, both of which are set to launch this year, and Pokémon maker Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation.
The showcase, stylized as “Developer_Direct,” promises new gameplay and insight directly from the developers working on these games. More specifically, it will feature the first extended look at Fable as well as the debut of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6, which is set in Japan, a setting fans of the series have wanted for years. The third game to be featured is Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation, which was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase last year – the Developer Direct will reveal new details about protagonist Emma’s plant manipulation abilities and gameplay with her canine companion Koo.
Here’s what Xbox has to say about each game the Developer Direct will feature:
Fable – “Playground Games welcomes players back to the fairytale land of Albion, with the first in-depth look at Fable – one of 2026’s most anticipated titles. 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. 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.”
Forza Horizon 6 – “The Forza team from Playground Games will share a deep-dive on the much-anticipated Forza Horizon 6 as the open world racer takes players to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. The segment will deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features – and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new installment.”
Beast of Reincarnation – “Join us as we delve into Game Freak’s intense one-person, one-dog action RPG. For the first time, Game Freak will reveal details of our protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. In Beast of Reincarnation, a profound and dangerous world unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan. Discover the development secrets behind its creation in Developer_Direct.”
Though there’s no indication of it in the blog post announcing this Developer Direct, Xbox has used these showcases to surprise viewers with additional reveals and more. Notably, Hi-Fi Rush was shadow-dropped at the 2023 Developer Direct. Nonetheless, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation are three hotly anticipated games, so this showcase is likely going to be an exciting one for fans of these developers.
