Xbox has announced the return of its Developer Direct showcase, with a new iteration landing on 22 January. It’ll feature three major, upcoming titles – Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation – with studios Playground Games and Game Freak guiding new looks at gameplay and ongoing development work.
Xbox Developer Direct: January 2026 – quick links
Everything set to feature in the Xbox Developer Direct for January 2026
While all three games are worth watching, Fable is the most anticipated of the bunch. We know this game is set to launch in 2026, after several delays and a truncated development cycle, and it feels likely that release window will narrow, following this showcase.
Per Xbox, developers from Playground Games will be on hand to ‘unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise’. The Developer Direct will host a first look at gameplay, after years of cinematic trailers.
‘Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humour and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike.’
Playground will also reveal more about Forza Horizon 6, another major sequel in development at the studio. This upcoming game takes place in Japan, and invites players into an open world of racing where beautiful scenery is just as important as competition. Expect a first look at gameplay, including ‘reveals of new features’.
While we know the least about Beast of Reincarnation, it’s another title that should prove very compelling. It’s the next major title from Game Freak, the studio best known for developing the long-running Pokémon video games.
Per Xbox, Beast of Reincarnation is an ‘intense, one-person, one-dog action RPG’ that stars a hero and her canine companion charting a ‘profound and dangerous’ post-apocalyptic world inspired by real-life Japan.
How to tune into the latest Xbox Developer Direct
To tune into the latest Xbox Developer Direct, to learn more about what’s next for major titles from Playground Games and Game Freak, head to the Xbox social channels (YouTube, Twitch, and beyond) at the following times around the world:
- Australia – 5:00 am AEDT | 4:30 am ACDT | 2:00 am AWST (23 January)
- New Zealand – 7:00 am NZDT (23 January)
- United States – 10:00 am PT | 1:00 pm ET (22 January)
- United Kingdom – 6:00 pm GMT (22 January)
Stay tuned to see everything announced, and to see whether Fable will finally get its long-anticipated release date.
Also on ScreenHub: Asus announces ROG XREAL gaming glasses with screen projection
Asus has kicked off 2026 with an announcement for a wild new set of gaming glasses, the ROG XREAL R1. They’re designed to be compatible with any gaming system, including the ROG Ally handheld devices, and allow users to experience gaming on a virtual screen, up to 171 inches.
Putting the glasses on, you’ll see this screen floating in your home space. (It can turn with your head, or be anchored.) Visuals are supported by dual 240Hz micro-OLED FHD lenses. Per Asus, the high refresh rate should allow for clean, smooth visuals, akin to gaming on a home monitor, but with the added benefit of portability. ‘Playing your ROG Xbox Ally X on a plane, train, or bus? Plug your glasses into it and blow up your handheld’s gameplay,’ the company announced.
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