Xbox has revealed new details about what to expect from its upcoming Developer Direct, set to air on January 22, 2026, at 1 PM ET. In a new blog post on Xbox Wire, the company outlined the focus of the show, leaving little room for major surprises.
Viewers can expect deeper looks at Fable and Forza Horizon 6, alongside an unexpected appearance from Game Freak, which is developing Beast of Reincarnation.
Besides Fable, Xbox is placing clear emphasis on deeper dives for Forza Horizon 6, acknowledging that fans have been waiting a long time to see more from each project.
What to expect on January 22
With Fable having spent years in development, this Developer Direct is seemingly positioned so that Playground Games finally shows what it has been building, while reassuring fans that the series’ familiar tone and identity remain intact and reaffirming its release window for this year.
For Forza Horizon 6, Xbox is also promising a more substantial look following what many felt was an underwhelming reveal at the Tokyo Game Show in 2025, due to it only being a minute-long reveal that had leaked prior to the showcase. This time, fans can expect a clearer showcase of gameplay and a better sense of how Japan serves as the game’s long-requested setting.
Alongside the two Playground Games titles, Xbox will also deliver an in-depth introduction to Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak, which was revealed at the Xbox June showcase in 2025. The project stands out as a more modern and ambitious showcase for the studio, highlighting its ability to step beyond its Pokémon roots, a franchise that has seen controversy over its graphics, though I sit on the side of fun over graphics, it is nice to see Game Freak spread their wings here.
Any other surprises?
Whether there is more revealed at the showcase remains to be seen, so you’ll have to tune in at the right time to find out. Xbox has offered no hints of any potential surprise announcements, although doing so would undermine the idea of a surprise in the first place.
While I would have liked to see more from Halo, it is hard to argue that Fable and Forza Horizon 6 do not deserve the spotlight. Regardless of whether anything else is shown, with this marking Xbox’s 25th anniversary year, 2026 is already shaping up to be a strong one, and you can read more about what to expect here.
What are you most excited to see from Xbox’s next Developer Direct? Let us by taking part in our poll below or leaving us a comment!
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