Xbox kicked off 2026 with its latest Developer_Direct, offering extended gameplay looks and new details on several upcoming games. The showcase focused on four games set to arrive this year. These included new projects from Playground Games, Game Freak, and Double Fine.
Instead of cinematic trailers, the showcase focused on gameplay, features, and release timing. That made it easier to see what’s coming to Xbox, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Here’s a full breakdown of everything revealed.
Forza Horizon 6 heads to Japan this May
Release date: May 19, 2026
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5 (Later in 2026)
Playground Games opened the showcase with an extended look at Forza Horizon 6, confirming Japan as the setting for the next chapter in the series. This time, the team is aiming for the most ambitious Horizon map yet. The new open world blends dense urban areas with countryside, mountain roads, and coastal highways, all shaped by Japan’s geography and driving culture. You’ll move from crowded city streets to open highways and mountain passes, with each area offering its own feel and challenges.
Tokyo plays a major role in the experience as the largest city the series has featured so far. The city includes tightly packed streets, elevated roadways, neon-lit districts, and event locations built specifically for urban racing. Outside the city, you can explore quieter regions inspired by real-world Japanese landscapes, including mountain routes and scenic countryside roads.
Seasonal changes return with a stronger impact on both visuals and driving conditions. Weather and lighting change throughout the year, impacting how roads handle and how races unfold. Playground Games also highlighted increased verticality, with more elevation changes and layered routes than in previous entries. Progression is tied to Horizon wristbands, earned by completing races and challenges. These unlock new events, faster cars, and access to Legend Island, a high-level endgame area.
Forza Horizon 6 will launch with over 550 vehicles. The lineup includes a wide mix of modern performance cars, off-road vehicles, and classic models. Expanded customization options allow for deeper tuning, visual upgrades, and personalized garages. The game launches May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with day-one support on Xbox Game Pass. A PlayStation 5 version is planned for later in the year.
Fable gets its first deep gameplay reveal
Release window: Autumn 2026
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5
Playground Games also shared the first extended look at Fable, offering a better sense of how the game plays and what kind of experience it’s aiming for. Set in a fully reimagined version of Albion, the new Fable leans into what the series has always done well, while updating its systems for a modern open-world RPG.
This time around, the focus is very much on how you choose to play. The decisions you make don’t just affect story beats, they shape how the world responds to you. The morality system returns with more nuance, moving away from simple good-or-evil choices and instead letting your actions gradually define the kind of hero you become.
Combat mixes melee attacks, ranged weapons, and magic, giving you room to experiment with different playstyles. Character customization and gear progression play a bigger role as well, letting you shape both your abilities and your appearance as you move through the game. Exploration is fully open, with towns, villages, and wild areas designed to feel active and reactive rather than static.
A big emphasis is placed on Albion’s inhabitants. NPCs follow daily routines, remember what you’ve done, and react differently depending on your choices. Over time, those reactions start to stack up, changing how the world treats you and how your story unfolds. Fable is set to launch in Autumn 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PlayStation 5, with day-one availability through Xbox Game Pass.
Beast of Reincarnation brings a darker RPG from Game Freak
Release window: Summer 2026
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5
Game Freak also shared new gameplay from Beast of Reincarnation, a darker action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan.It marks a noticeable shift for the studio, focusing on a more serious tone and a stronger emphasis on narrative-driven design.
You play as Emma, a young woman afflicted by a mysterious condition known as “blight,” who is traveling alongside her companion, Koo. The two work together in combat, with the game blending fast, real-time action and more deliberate decision-making. You can slow time to issue commands and manage abilities, creating a mix of reflex-based combat and tactical planning.
The gameplay made it clear that everything you do ties back into the story. How you explore, fight, and move through the world all helps sell the mood, with a lot of the storytelling coming from the environments themselves rather than long explanations or cutscenes. Difficulty options allow you to adjust the experience to your playstyle, whether you want something more action-focused or a slower, more thoughtful pace.
Beast of Reincarnation ended up being one of the bigger surprises of the show, especially given how different it feels from what Game Freak usually makes. It’s scheduled to launch in Summer 2026 and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass.
Double Fine reveals Kiln, a creative multiplayer brawler
Release window: Spring 2026
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5
One of the more unexpected reveals of the showcase was Kiln, a multiplayer party game from Double Fine that mixes creativity with competitive chaos. In Kiln, you create your character by sculpting it out of clay using a pottery wheel. The shape you make is not just cosmetic. It directly affects how your character moves, attacks, and performs in matches. Every design choice matters, from size and balance to how your character handles in combat.
Matches are built around 4v4 team-based gameplay that blends fast-paced action with a surprising amount of strategy. Some builds focus on speed and agility, while others are built for power or durability, giving each match a different feel depending on how players shape their characters.
The game places a strong emphasis on experimentation and creativity, whether you are playing cooperatively with friends or jumping into competitive matches. Double Fine also confirmed that the game will continue to grow after launch with additional content and updates planned. A closed beta is planned ahead of release, with Kiln scheduled to launch in Spring 2026.
What’s next for Xbox in 2026
Xbox closed the showcase by making it clear that Developer_Direct is only the start of what it has planned for 2026. With the platform celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, more announcements and updates are expected in the months ahead.
Several major titles are still on the way, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and additional projects from both first-party and third-party studios. With releases spread throughout the year and continued support through Xbox Game Pass, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for Xbox players.
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