Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Every Game Reveal and Release Date

Xbox kicked off 2026 with its annual Developer Direct showcase on January 22, delivering a 45-minute deep dive into four upcoming titles. All games are Xbox Play Anywhere experiences, launching day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (with some also hitting PlayStation 5 and Steam). The event highlighted extended gameplay footage, developer interviews, and firm release windows, setting the stage for Xbox's 25th anniversary year alongside teases for bigger hits like Gears of War: E-Day and Halo: Campaign Evolved.

Forza Horizon 6 - Launching May 19, 2026

Playground Games unveiled the first gameplay for Forza Horizon 6, taking the open-world racer to Japan - the largest and densest map in series history, packed with verticality, seasonal changes, and diverse biomes from neon-lit Tokyo to rural mountains. Players start as a tourist chasing a spot in the Horizon Festival, unlocking "Legend" island via qualifiers and new Horizon Rush obstacle courses.

Key new features include:

Over 550 cars at launch, with deeper customization and a revamped roster; spotlight cars like the 2025 GR GT Prototype (off-road debut) and 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Customizable Garages at player houses and "The Estate" - an upgradable Akiya-inspired property.
Permanent Car Meets at spots like Daikoku PA for sharing designs.
Custom track building anywhere and Horizon Time Attack Circuits.

The game launches May 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam), Xbox Cloud, and Game Pass Ultimate, with PS5 arriving later in 2026. Pre-orders are live, with Early Access for Premium Edition from May 15.

Beast of Reincarnation - Summer 2026

Game Freak, the studio behind Pokémon, showcased extended gameplay for its original action RPG set in a blight-ravaged post-apocalyptic Japan in 4026 AD. Protagonist Emma wields plant-manipulation powers from her "blight" affliction, teaming with companion Koo (a dog-like malefact) to hunt corrupted creatures called malefacts.

Combat blends real-time action (Emma's fast attacks) with tactical, time-slowing menu skills from Koo, including customizable builds, three difficulty modes, and dynamic teamwork like Blooming Art combos. Seal blight cores to progress, facing mechanical golems and massive Nushi bosses en route to the titular Beast.

Day one on Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud (PlayStation via developer site); Xbox Play Anywhere supported. Summer 2026 release.

Kiln - Spring 2026 (Surprise Reveal)

Double Fine dropped the event's biggest surprise: Kiln, a 4v4 online multiplayer pottery party brawler born from a 2017 game jam. Players sculpt ceramic battle armor on a realistic pottery wheel - pot shape and size dictate abilities - then smash rivals in team-based arenas inspired by ancient mythology.

Carry water to douse enemy kilns while protecting yours; diverse tools yield cups, vases, and more with unique strengths. Maps feature interactive elements like swellable sponges. A closed beta is coming soon via Double Fine Action Insiders.

Spring 2026 launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, Steam, and day one Game Pass Ultimate; Xbox Play Anywhere.

Fable - Autumn 2026

Playground Games' reboot of the beloved RPG got its first in-depth gameplay, emphasizing "what it means to be a hero" in a reactive Albion. Start as a child, time-skip to adulthood, and freely explore a no-level-gated open world with slice-of-life sims: jobs, romance, families, property ownership.

"Style-weaving combat" mixes melee, ranged, and magic; a reputation system (not good/evil) tracks witnessed actions via word clouds, impacting prices, romances, and world changes (e.g., slaying a giant tanks house values). Over 1,000 unique NPCs with routines and personalities bring the world alive, laced with dry British humor.