Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Every Major Announcement

The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 was livestreamed on YouTube on January 22, 2026. This showcase provided insight into four upcoming games - Forza Horizon 6, Beast of Reincarnation, Kiln, and Fable, detailing the core themes behind their development. All of these games are arriving by the end of this year, across multiple platforms. Let's find out more about these four new games shown at the Xbox Developer Direct 2026.

Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Game Releases

The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 revealed a lot about these upcoming games. The developers shared extensive details regarding their gameplay, design, and more. We will soon be getting to play these four games this year:

1. Forza Horizon 6

• Developers: Playground Games
• Genre: Open World Racing Simulator
• Release Date: May 19, 2026
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC

Forza Horizon 6 is the first game to be shown at the Xbox Developer Direct 2026. Showcasing a major improvement over their last title, developers Playground Games have set out to create an extremely realistic racing game with this title.

Set in Japan, you start this game as a tourist who gets into the racing scene and sets out to participate in the Horizon Festival. Being one of the biggest open-world maps they have created, they have incorporated Japan's scenic hills and mountain passes.

This comes alongside Tokyo's bustling crowds and urban architecture that constantly change depending on the season. You get to ride over 550 cars that you must collect by participating in different kinds of races that are both PvE and PvP.

2. Beast of Reincarnation

• Developers: GameFreak
• Genre: Open World Action RPG
• Release Date: Summer 2026 (TBA)
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC

Beast of Reincarnation is a new IP by Pokémon creators Game Freak, who have set out to create a unique type of gaming experience. This game is described as a “one-person one-dog” action-RPG where you control Emma and her dog Koo on their journey to rid futuristic Tokyo of the Blight, a deadly disease.

You must use both these characters in combat, where Emma's attacks charge Koo's special attacks and vice versa. Throughout your journey, you must defeat powerful monsters called Malefacts, Nushi, and Golems. The gameplay involves both hack-and-slash combat and stealth mechanics.

3. Kiln

• Developers: Double Fine
• Genre: Multiplayer Action
• Release Date: Spring 2026
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStaion 5, PC

Kiln is a brand-new 4v4 multiplayer action game developed by Double Fine. In this game, you create different clay pots that you can control to fight in 4v4 MOBA-like matches to douse the enemy's base, called Kiln.

Depending on the shape of the pot you have created, you will get different abilities and moves, letting you customise your playstyle by changing your shape. The game will also feature different maps where you play matches to earn XP and unlock new cosmetics.

4. Fable

• Developers: Playground Games
• Genre: Open-World Action RPG
• Release Date: Autumn 2026
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStaion 5, PC

Originally developed by Lionhead, the Fable series is finally returning decades later this year. In this game, you play as a villager from birth, who grows up to become a hero. Set in the fantastical world of Albion, you journey to become a new hero.

Fable presents a responsive open world that grows with you, shaped by every action you take. This lets you become either a noble hero, a crooked villain, or a bit of both. With melee combat similar to other hack-and-slash games, you can rid the world of evil. You can also get married to other NPCs in the game and raise families with them. With over 1000+ unique NPCs, this is set out to become an immersive open-world action game.

These are the four games that were shown at the Xbox Developer Direct 2026. Viewers seemed to be happy with the presentation, with significant praise for how good Forza Horizon 6 and Fable seem so far. Meanwhile, you can also check out our separate coverage on the Xbox games releasing in January.