Xbox Game Studios Head Excited About Fable Reboot’s 1,000 NPCs: “It’s Going to Be an Amazing RPG”

Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, is buzzing with excitement about Fable, believing it’s set to be an outstanding RPG.

After a long wait, Fable finally made a splash during the recent Xbox Developer Direct, showcasing some impressive visuals. However, the franchise has a history of dazzling pre-release trailers followed by disappointing launches, often due to the hype surrounding it. This has led to some cautious optimism among fans. In a recent interview, Duncan expressed his confidence, stating that he believes the game will be “incredible.”

He elaborated on how Fable came to be developed by Playground Games, the team behind the Forza Horizon series. “When I think about Playground and their history with Forza Horizon, their ambition to take on Fable is all about a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he noted. “We’ve seen Forza Horizon grow year after year, but what does that mean for Fable?”

Duncan shared that he has had the chance to play a significant portion of the game, mentioning, “I’ve experimented with the combat and the Living Population, and it’s just mind-blowing.” He praised Playground for modernizing classic concepts, saying, “My mind races every time I think about the Living Population, how it functions, and what it contributes to the overall experience.”

He is particularly enthusiastic about the Living Population feature, calling it “an incredible invention,” and believes Fable will be a remarkable RPG. “It will be fascinating to see how players interact with it, and it’s going to be highly shareable.” While it’s expected for someone in his position to promote their game, Duncan’s excitement resonates with many Fable fans, suggesting that after Starfield, this could be Xbox’s next big RPG success this generation.

Fable is also featured in the Big in 2026 coverage, and there’s an interview with Playground Games in the Fable Big in 2026 preview.