Playground Games on Fable: 'There was a little bit of pride' in proving they could make an RPG

Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series, is taking over the Fable revival from Lionhead Studios. The developer releases the fantasy RPG on February 23, 2027, marking a significant departure from the racing games that have defined the studio's output.

The shift represents both an opportunity and a statement. "I think there was a little bit of pride in proving we could cut it in a different genre," Playground co-founder and Fable game director Ralph Fulton tells The Guardian. "It made sense not to fall too far from Horizon. This project definitely wasn't going to have cars, but open worlds felt like an area where we had transferable skills."

Playground Games was acquired by Xbox Game Studios in 2018. When the opportunity to develop Fable came along, Fulton says the decision was immediate. "When Xbox mentioned Fable, every other opportunity dissolved into the background. It was all we could think about," he explains.

The studio's enthusiasm extends across the team. Fulton notes that "every single member of the team is first and foremost" a fan of the original RPG trilogy, grounding the project in genuine appreciation for the franchise.