Playground Games, developers of the Forza Horizon series, considered options beyond racing games back in 2017. Following the success of Forza Horizon 3, the studio began exploring new projects. This internal discussion, revealed by co-founder Ralph Fulton, centered on expanding the team's capabilities and exploring different genres, hinting at a desire for creative diversification.

This shift occurred before Microsoft's acquisition of Playground Games. The team's desire to try something new led them to consider the dormant Fable IP. Fulton noted their transferable skills in open-world game design made Fable a perfect fit. This decision marked a significant turning point for the studio, moving beyond its established racing franchise.

Ultimately, Playground Games chose to reboot Fable, a fantasy RPG previously developed by Lionhead Studios. Microsoft's acquisition of the studio further solidified this direction. The new Fable game is highly anticipated on PC and Xbox Series X|S. The original trilogy was a hit, but can the new title live up to the hype?

This decision underscores Microsoft's strategy to bolster its first-party game offerings. The acquisition of Playground Games, along with other studios, aimed to create exclusive content. The success of the upcoming Fable title will be a key indicator of the company's investment in its first-party portfolio.