There’s something refreshing about an Xbox Developer Direct that leans into the people behind the games. No smoke, no mirrors—just developers explaining why they made certain decisions and how those ideas turn into something you’ll eventually play. As someone who appreciates seeing the other side of the controller, showcases like this always land well with me.
This year’s Developer Direct delivered a mix of expected heavy hitters, pleasant surprises, and at least one game that made people in the room collectively lean forward in their chairs.
Let’s get into it... after the Xbox Developer Direct 2026! Grab some popcorn and enjoy:
Forza Horizon 6 – Japan Is Calling
Forza Horizon 6 looks fantastic—full stop, and I can only imagine how fun it will be with a race wheel.
The stamp collection system adds a smart layer of replay value, encouraging exploration instead of just racing from point A to point B. Meanwhile, a fully customizable garage and the ability to build and personalize your estate gives players a stronger sense of identity (from left field). Friends can swing by, check out your setup, and admire your rides before or after races—and that social element feels like it’s being pushed further than ever.
I’m not a street racer, although I do love jumping behind the wheel and cruising the streets of Orlando (or wherever I am), but the new meet-up options absolutely give off accurate street-racer vibes. And as you saw in the closing of that segment... there was a head turning moment shown where a mech walks up and stands near the back of a car—leaving just enough ambiguity to get people talking. The appearance of the Gundam makes me wonder if this ties into anything, especially considering past invitations tied to the Gundam Factory Yokohama.
Is it speculation? Absolutely. Is it fun speculation? Also... yes.
Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Steam—and it’s shaping up to be one of the strongest Horizon entries yet. You don’t take one step forward only to take two steps back, and this feels like clear... momentum.
Beast of Incarnation – Game Freak Grows Up
Game Freak surprised a lot of people with Beast of Incarnation, a more mature adventure that still showcases their talent for blending creatures and mechanics—but in a more brutal way than Pokémon.
You play as Emma, accompanied by Koo, both share a mysterious Blight Power that evolves through a skill tree. As attributes level up, abilities to increase Tracking Shot, Hair skills, and Entanglement Overdrive come into play, allowing for different combat and exploration styles.
From what was shown, players can:
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Run in to take enemies head on
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Use stealth like a shinobi
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Or send Koo in first to soften targets
The developers described it as a “one-person, one-dog action RPG”, and honestly, that pitch works. The malefacts you face look threatening, the tone feels heavier, and the mechanics suggest real flexibility in how encounters unfold. Do you want in on the action?
Sorry, Switch owners—this one’s heading to Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in Summer 2026. At least you've still got Pokémon. If you're waiting, plant something in the meantime and... game on.
Kiln – Double Fine Gets Weird (In A Good Way)
No one walked into this Direct expecting Kiln, and that’s exactly why it stood out.
From Double Fine, this is an only-multiplayer pottery brawler—yes, you read that right—that leans fully into creative chaos. It’s playful, odd, and unmistakably Double Fine in tone. You’ll be shaping clay, battling others in various arenas, and probably laughing while doing it.
Be careful though—the fun just might… crack you up.
Kiln fires up in Spring 2026 on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and it looks like one of those games that exists purely to remind us that games can still surprise us.
Fable – The One Everyone’s Waiting For
No shade to the rest of the lineup, because plenty of these games looked solid—but Fable was clearly the game people were most excited about.
Out of the 30+ players we spoke to here in Orlando, FL, Fable topped the list.
According to Conar Cross, Art Director at Playground Games, Albion will “truly be open world,” allowing players to explore the land seamlessly for the first time. That alone is huge for a franchise built on charm, choice, and consequence.
Then there’s the question posed by Ralph Fulton:
“What does it mean to you, to be a hero?”
That question hits at the heart of Fable. Your character, your playstyle, how you treat others, where you work, what you buy, who you date or rent to—it all feeds into your reputation. Be generous and kind, or be an absolute dirtbag. Albion will remember. Not sure how it would affect you affect you, but...
I can already see players sinking a crazy number of hours into shaping a hero—or villain—that reflects their decisions. Come Autumn 2026, we’ll all find out how we choose to proceed.
Fable launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS5, and Steam.
If you don’t own a console or gaming PC, Xbox made it clear that you can play anywhere. With the right Fire TV Stick, players can access these games without a console or PC—and many others—through Xbox Game Pass, alongside everything else the Fire TV ecosystem offers. So if a game checks off enough boxes for you, don't feel stuck... exercise your options.
Thanks for checking out our Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Recap... Game on.