Xbox Quietly Teases January 2026 Developer Direct, Setting the Stage for Fable & Forza Horizon 6

Xbox picked an unusual moment to drop some news this week. While everyone in the game fraternity was glued to The Game Awards 2025 announcements, Microsoft quietly confirmed that its annual Developer Direct showcase will be held in January 2026. If you’re wondering whether Playground Games will be there, the answer is YES.

Speaking to Variety, Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty deliberately kept everything vague, but he didn’t hide the scale of what’s coming. “I can’t share exactly what’s there,” he said, “but we’ve got more stuff to ship next year than we can fit into one show.”

Booty, however, didn’t confirm whether Playground Games will be showcasing Fable, Forza, or both. However, given that each title is targeting a 2026 launch, it’s safe to assume updates on everything the studio has been working on for a while.

For those unaware, Playground Games is currently juggling with two of Xbox’s biggest 2026 drops right now: Fable and Forza Horizon 6. The latter’s first-ever cinematic teaser dropped back in September, giving what players can expect. The game is set in Japan and offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Tokyo’s neon skyline, while quickly showcasing the rural roads and winding mountain passes.

Besides PlayGround’s offering, Xbox has a packed lineup for 2026. Halo: Campaign Evolved and Gears of War: E-Day are already confirmed for next year. And with the company celebrating the Xbox brand’s 25th anniversary, a few new drops aren’t off the cards. Not to forget, in a BBC interview recently, the VP of Next-gen Xbox, Jason Ronald, hinted at something big for 2026.

He said, “I can’t announce anything today, but in 2026, it’s the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and we want to celebrate the great legacy and the history that we have with Xbox as well as defining the future for where the Xbox ecosystem is going.” Keeping those words in mind, it’s safe to say that the company has big plans for next year, including first-party handhelds.