Games from Developer_Direct 2026
Looking good, Xbox! Looking good…
We started the year strong with a new Developer_Direct from Xbox! During the event, we saw no less than four games, from different genres, and received confirmation that, unlike the 2024 presentation, all the titles shown will be available on Game Pass from day one (for subscribers with the highest tier). I watched the event and have prepared some fresh impressions for you.
Forza Horizon 6 – 19 May 2026 (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC – Steam)
It was about time for Forza Horizon to make a strong return! The arcade racing series from Playground Games is back in 2026 with a new adventure and a long-awaited location for fans: Japan. Forza Horizon 6 will be released on 19 May 2026 and promises no less than 550 cars available from launch, along with the largest and densest map in the series' history.
During the presentation, the developers explained how they collaborated with experts from the Japanese automotive industry to authentically recreate the unique car culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. At the same time, the new garage system has been completely redesigned and offers players a creative freedom of expression unlike anything we've seen before in Forza Horizon.
Beast of Reincarnation – Summer 2026 (PC – Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S)
Honestly, out of all the games presented, this is the title I'm most eagerly awaiting. The newest project from Game Freak, the studio behind a small and obscure franchise called Pokémon, marks a courageous departure from their comfort zone. This time, the developers decided to try their luck with something simple: A MODERN ACTION RPG, MADE IN UNREAL ENGINE 5. The change in direction is evident from the first seconds of the trailer, and the ambition of the project suggests that Game Freak finally wants to show what it can do when not limited by the constraints and expectations of the big N.
I was curious about this project ever since it was presented to the public last year, during the Xbox Showcase in June 2025, because it seemed extremely ambitious and had a slight soulslike vibe. Following yesterday's presentation, however, the game seems more like an action title with a complex progression system, hence the RPG component.
The story is also interesting: we follow the adventure of Emma, a warrior from Japan in the year 4026, whose goal is to defend humanity from the so-called "malefacts", abominations that appeared after a massive disaster that decimated the population. Emma clearly represents the action component of the game, with intense real-time combat, while her companion, Koo, a malefact wolf, comes with special abilities and the power to "slow down time", similar to the mechanic in Final Fantasy VII: Remake, allowing the player to activate skills or rethink their strategy on the fly.
Kiln – Spring 2026 (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC – Steam)
I admit, I'm a little shocked by the direction Double Fine has chosen. The studio has never been a typical one and, most of the time, has delivered creative, weird, and memorable projects, but I wouldn't have expected them to try a multiplayer title with a live-service bent. It's a courageous, perhaps even risky, move, especially in a market already oversaturated with such experiences, which raises many questions.
Let's recap: Kiln is a 4v4 online multiplayer party brawler. What exactly does that mean? Each player creates their own character in the form of a… clay pot, using a realistic pottery system, and its attributes are dictated by the final result. More skill at the wheel? Better stats in the arena. Because everything ultimately comes down to destruction (not like in Keeper), the goal is to smash opponents' pots in bizarre arenas. I don't deny Tim Schafer's talent and his ability to create memorable experiences, but I can't help but express my concern: there's a risk that this project could mark the beginning of the end for a legendary studio like Double Fine.
Fable – Autumn 2026 (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC – Steam)
Wait, is Fable coming out? I was convinced it was just a fable, a true mirage of gaming… Initially announced in 2020 (the same year as the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake), the series reboot was quickly put under the pressure of colossal fan expectations. Unfortunately, the first gameplay trailer in 2023 didn't get the desired reaction, which is why the launch was postponed. The result of the longer development period, however, seems much more solid. The gameplay and interviews during the Xbox presentation outline an experience that respects the franchise's DNA and tries to do it justice. We have a complex morality system, side activities with classic British humour, and a modernised presentation adapted to today's audience, while the combat and UI seem to draw heavily from Hogwarts Legacy. Will the new Fable manage to step out of Peter Molyneux's shadow? We'll find out in autumn.
Folks, these were the games presented last night, and we hope at least one of them caught your eye! And if you don't own an Xbox, don't worry: all titles will also be available on other platforms, including PlayStation 5. Is the console war nearing its end… or are we just witnessing the beginning of a new era in gaming?