There’s quite a buzz building around the new Fable game, with its release eagerly anticipated this year. While an air of mystery still lingers over what exactly it holds for players, many are already positioning it as one of the standout launches expected in 2025. However, the lack of a concrete release date adds to the intrigue surrounding this action RPG.
Recent trends in Xbox exclusives, though, might disrupt the original plans for Fable’s release. As it stands as an exclusive for both PC and Xbox, Microsoft’s need for a successful exclusive debut faces uncertainty. According to industry insider Jez Corden, Microsoft was not pleased with how Hellblade 2 performed as an exclusive. Even though Hellblade 2 and Fable are different beasts altogether, Xbox’s gradual shift away from exclusives could see Fable becoming a test case for wider platform availability.
Xbox Seems to be Signaling a Shift in Release Strategy
Although the idea of Fable moving away from being an Xbox exclusive is speculative for now, it’s noteworthy that Microsoft has been candid about easing off exclusivity. There have been murmurs in the gaming circles suggesting that true Xbox exclusives may become less frequent and reserved mostly for certain massive launches. Hellblade 2’s lackluster results might be a factor driving this rumored shift, although nothing is concrete yet.
Despite this, Fable’s potential release beyond Xbox is significant news. Reviving one of Microsoft’s storied franchises is no small feat, yet it might not be their most ambitious project forthcoming. Rolling Fable out across additional platforms could dramatically boost its reach. Given the anticipation surrounding Fable, this could be the perfect opportunity to open up to a broader audience. While older fans might find the idea of a non-exclusive Fable unusual, it could ultimately set a precedent that benefits this much-awaited title.
Fable Could Pave the Way for Other Rumored Xbox Exclusives
If Fable hits the market beyond Xbox confines, it might serve as a goodwill gesture to gamers and could solidify The Elder Scrolls 6’s purported exclusivity. Bethesda has been mum about the platforms for The Elder Scrolls 6, but considering Starfield’s exclusive ties to Microsoft, it aligns well with keeping major titles in-house.
Little information exists about The Elder Scrolls 6, but the idea of utilizing Fable as a strategic step to secure Elder Scrolls’ home with Microsoft isn’t far-fetched. It might also explain why Fable still lacks an official release date. While this is purely theoretical, with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s openness to broadening game releases beyond Xbox, Fable could be the pioneer for this vision.
As we step into a new year, it will be intriguing to observe which games Microsoft decides to share with other platforms and which they hold close. Even Halo’s future as a possibly multi-platform game has been whispered about, despite its central role in Xbox history. While Fable’s precise launch plans are hazy, the choices Microsoft makes could shake industry norms if it decides to venture into uncharted waters.
