Xbox Developer Direct Today Likely to Announce May Launch for Forza Horizon 6

Today’s annual Xbox Developer Direct kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, and all eyes are on Playground Studios, the team behind both Fable and Forza Horizon 6. Both titles are confirmed to make an appearance, along with GameFreak’s non-Pokémon RPG, Beast of Reincarnation. Reports suggest that one of the big reveals will be the release date for Forza Horizon, which has been a hot topic of speculation. Microsoft has managed to keep other potential game announcements under wraps, making this a highly anticipated event.

The May 19 release date for FH6 has surfaced before, but with a second source backing it up, it seems increasingly likely. A recent post on a Saudi X account claimed to have spotted an accidentally released trailer for the Japan-themed racing game, which included the May 19 date. Additionally, a well-known leaker has confirmed this information, along with the fact that the game will be available in Standard, Deluxe, and Premium editions. Despite its imminent release, details about the game have been scarce, aside from hints about its stunning Japanese mountain backdrop and culturally significant elements. Microsoft promises a “deep-dive” during the Direct, showcasing “new features.”

The Developer Direct will also feature an “extended look at Fable,” marking the first substantial reveal of the action-RPG franchise since its revival. Although development has been underway since at least 2017 and was officially confirmed in 2020, this will be the first in-depth look following a somewhat vague trailer from 2023. There’s no word yet on a release date for this long-awaited title.

The final confirmed game is a significant win for Microsoft (and Sony, too), as it marks the first time a Game Freak title will be available outside of Nintendo since 2017’s Giga Wrecker. The last non-Nintendo game from the Pokémon developer was 2015’s Tempo the Badass Elephant, which feels like a blast from the past. Beast of Reincarnation is set to launch on PC, Xbox, and PS5 (but not on Switch) sometime in 2026, and today’s show will unveil details about the protagonist Emma’s unique plant manipulation abilities and her gameplay alongside her canine companion, Koo.

That’s all that’s officially on the agenda, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a surprise fourth game makes an appearance, even if it’s just a brief teaser.

You can catch the entire event at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Xbox’s YouTube and Twitch channels, or simply keep an eye on the embed below for the next few hours.