Microsoft has confirmed it will kick off the year with Xbox Developer_Direct ’26, airing on January 22 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET, with the showcase streaming live on YouTube and Twitch. For Australian viewers, that puts the broadcast at 5:00 a.m. AEDT on January 23.

As with previous Developer_Direct events, the focus is firmly on gameplay and developer insight rather than rapid-fire announcements. This year’s lineup is led by three major titles, each getting a dedicated deep dive from the teams behind them.

The headline act is Fable, with Playground Games finally ready to pull back the curtain on its long-awaited reboot. Developers will take players back to Albion for the first proper look at gameplay, showcasing how the studio is reimagining the series while holding onto its identity. Choice and consequence, theatrical flair, tongue-in-cheek British humour, and yes, chickens, are all promised to return this time built from the ground up for modern hardware.

Also on the schedule is Forza Horizon 6, which sees Playground Games’ racing franchise heading to Japan. The segment will offer the first real look at gameplay, alongside new features and a breakdown of how the team has translated Japan’s varied landscapes into an open-world racing playground. It’s a long-requested setting from fans, and Microsoft is clearly positioning this as one of its biggest releases of 2026.

Rounding out the show is Beast of Reincarnation, an action RPG from Game Freak that marks a notable shift for the studio best known for Pokémon. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan, the game follows protagonist Emma and her canine companion, Koo. During the broadcast, developers will explain the game’s plant-based combat mechanics, the bond between Emma and Koo, and how the studio approached building a darker, more demanding world than it’s traditionally known for.

Xbox Developer_Direct has carved out a niche as a slower, more informative alternative to traditional showcases, and this year’s lineup suggests Microsoft is doubling down on that approach. With three substantial projects on display and at least two of them expected to carry Xbox’s 2026 lineup the January presentation should offer a clearer picture of what the platform’s near future looks like.

The full broadcast airs January 22, with Australian viewers able to tune in early on January 23 at 5:00 a.m. AEDT.