Behind the scenes, it's very likely that Microsoft is doing all it can to prepared for the next generation of games. Reports seemingly indicate that Microsoft is rolling Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass into a more permanent bundle, while also removing the paywall restriction required to play online. For many, though, that may not be enough. As impressive as it sounds, the bottom line will always be games, but the company doesn't seem to be faltering on that line either, as two insiders tease a forthcoming Fable 4 announcement.
On Thursday, Microsoft is set up to demonstrate actual gameplay of big titles coming to the Xbox Series X, including Halo Infinite. There's going to be an hour-long pre-show complete with announcements, as well as the event itself. It's clear it's trying to go big, and a Fable 4 announcement of any kind would certainly be just that.
According to well-reputed insiders Klobrille and Shinobi, Fable 4 will be at the event. It came up when someone asked Shinobi if it would be there with gameplay or as a simple trailer, with Shinobi answering with a vague, indirect "yes." Klobrille followed this up with an attempt to "get that expectation right" for fans going into the event. He outlines that fans should not expect a gameplay demo like Halo Infinite, but that this will be "in the Horizon II-trailer-like ballpark, so an in-engine trailer" that is "somewhat indicative" of what fans should be able to get out of the game.
In other words, while fans shouldn't expect a big focus or reveal, the idea that an in-engine trailer will be shown will be enough for Fable fans. It may also answer some lingering questions about Fable 4 images that supposedly leaked online, as well as give fans an idea of what the game will be about. Since the Xbox Series X event is focused on games and not hardware, it's unlikely there will be an exact release date, as this would show too much of the console. Confirmation one way or the other whether or not it's a Xbox Series X launch title would be nice, but for those not making the jump at launch, there is good news.
Unless the next Fable is years out, it'll likely be playable on Xbox One as well. Microsoft has explained that it won't do true Xbox Series X exclusives for quite some time, as it feels it's counter intuitive to the gaming experience. Ultimately, fans will just have to wait for Thursday and see how much of the next Fable is shown, if at all.
Fable 4 is not officially announced.