Microsoft has formally announced its next Xbox Developer Direct. The upcoming exhibition, confirmed Thursday morning in an Xbox Wire post, will usher in what Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief Joe Skrebels calls a “fabled year” for the brand. The showcase, scheduled for Thursday, January 22, will include closer looks at Forza Horizon 6, Fable, and Beast of Reincarnation. “2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year,” promises Skrebels in Xbox’s latest press release. “To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.”
About Xbox Developer_Direct
The Big 3 (Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation) have increasingly leaned into digital showcases since 2020, when widespread COVID-19 social distancing protocols kept gamers away from traditional exhibition halls. Unlike other executive-led presentations that spotlight third-party partners’ contributions, Xbox’s Developer Direct (stylized as “Developer_Direct”) showcases first-party game developers themselves.
This year’s presentation will be the fourth Developer Direct livestream since Xbox introduced the event in January 2023. Past presentations included glimpses at beloved titles like Hi-Fi Rush, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and more.
This time around, the show will feature two Playground Games titles — Fable and Forza Horizon 6 — as well as Game Freak’s upcoming title, Beast of Reincarnation. Game Freak, the Japanese game studio best known for its beloved Pokémon role-playing games, first teased the game at the Xbox Games Showcase last year. Check out the reveal trailer here.
What to Expect
Xbox’s latest press release gives gamers an idea of what’s to come when the presentation kicks off in two weeks:
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.
Tune into Xbox Developer_Direct when it airs on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST, and keep an eye on Outrun Gaming’s social media channels for more details as they’re announced.
