Microsoft will broadcast its fourth annual Developer Direct on January 22, offering the first major updates of the year for its 2026 gaming lineup. The showcase will focus on three confirmed titles, with UK studio Playground Games carrying the bulk of the presentation.
A busy day for Playground Games
In a rare move, a single developer will headline the majority of the event. Playground Games is set to show off two massive projects simultaneously. First, the studio will provide an extended look at Fable, the long-delayed reboot of the classic fantasy series. Microsoft has reconfirmed the RPG is on track for a 2026 release.
Second, the team will debut gameplay for Forza Horizon 6. The open-world racer was teased last September and is confirmed to be set in Japan, a location fans have requested for years. The broadcast is expected to break down the new map and driving features.
Pokémon creators on Xbox?
The third confirmed game is Beast of Reincarnation. This action-RPG comes from Game Freak, the Japanese studio famous for creating Pokémon. It is a significant departure for a developer that has spent decades closely tied to Nintendo hardware.
According to reports from VGC, Microsoft may also reveal a fourth, unannounced game. This is rumored to be a smaller, creative project from one of Xbox’s internal teams, similar to how Hi-Fi Rush was surprised-launched during a previous Direct.
Market Impact & Context
The biggest story surrounding this event isn’t just the games, but where they might be played. Reports suggest Fable could launch on PlayStation 5 the same day it hits Xbox, while Forza Horizon 6 might arrive on Sony’s console at a later date.
If true, this marks a massive shift in strategy. Microsoft appears ready to bring its biggest exclusive franchises to rival platforms to sell more copies, rather than keeping them locked to the Xbox console to drive hardware sales.
How to watch
The Developer Direct streams on January 22 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET on Xbox’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
