Game News

Xbox dates its Developer Direct for 22 January: Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and a Game Freak RPG

Microsoft will hold its Xbox Developer Direct on Thursday 22 January at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern, Gematsu reported on 8 January, following an Xbox Wire announcement. It is the fourth edition of the format, in which developers present their own games, and it focuses on three titles from two studios.

Playground Games will show Fable, promising a “first in-depth look” with new gameplay, and Forza Horizon 6, an open-world racer set in Japan. Tokyo's Game Freak, the Pokémon studio, will give an in-depth look at Beast of Reincarnation, a “one-person, one-dog action RPG” starring Emma and her dog Koo. Gematsu said the stream runs on YouTube, including Japanese, audio-description and American Sign Language feeds, and on Twitch.

“Xbox Developer Direct will be the first major gaming showcase of the year.” — Shacknews

How each outlet framed it

• Gematsu — the schedule, the official description of each game and where to watch.
• Shacknews — what fans want to learn: Fable slipped from its 2025 window, so a release date may come, while little is known about Forza Horizon 6 beyond its Japan setting.
• tbreak — a Gulf view: 6pm UK time is 10pm in the UAE, and Beast of Reincarnation, published by Fictions, is not tied to Nintendo and is due on Xbox, PlayStation and PC in 2026.

What we don't know yet: None of the three outlets had a confirmed release date for Fable or Forza Horizon 6; tbreak expected Forza late in 2026.