Xbox Kicks Off 2026 with Major Gaming Showcase
Microsoft has officially announced that the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 will take place on January 22, 2026, bringing extended gameplay reveals and developer insights for some of the most anticipated games of the year.
The fourth installment of Xbox's popular Developer Direct format will feature in-depth looks at Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation from Pokemon developer Game Freak.
When to Watch in India
Indian gamers can tune in to the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 at the following times:
| Region | Time |
|---|---|
| India (IST) | 11:30 PM |
| Pacific (PT) | 10:00 AM |
| Eastern (ET) | 1:00 PM |
| UK (GMT) | 6:00 PM |
The showcase will be streamed live on Xbox's official YouTube and Twitch channels in 4K/60fps quality. The presentation is expected to run approximately 45 minutes.
Confirmed Games
Fable - Return to Albion
Playground Games is bringing players back to the beloved fairytale world of Albion with a fresh take on the classic RPG franchise. The Developer Direct will feature the first in-depth gameplay reveal of Fable, one of 2026's most anticipated titles.
According to Xbox, the showcase will unveil "the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise." Core themes of choice, consequence, British humour, and of course, chickens will all be present, reimagined for both existing fans and newcomers.
Forza Horizon 6 - Racing Through Japan
The Forza team at Playground Games will deliver a deep-dive on Forza Horizon 6, which takes the open-world racing series to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. This marks the first time the Horizon series will be set in the highly-requested Asian location.
Players can expect to see:
- First look at gameplay footage
- New features and mechanics
- How Japan's diverse environments come to life in the game
- Both urban Tokyo streets and rural mountain areas
Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for post-launch. The game will be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on day one.
Beast of Reincarnation - Game Freak's Xbox Exclusive
In a surprising collaboration, Game Freak (the studio behind Pokemon) is bringing their intense action RPG Beast of Reincarnation to Xbox platforms.
The game follows protagonist Emma and her canine companion Koo through a post-apocalyptic Japan. The Developer Direct will reveal details about Emma's innovative plant manipulation abilities and the gameplay mechanics involving her loyal dog companion.
Beast of Reincarnation was previously known by its codename "Project Bloom" before its official announcement.
Secret Fourth Game?
According to industry insiders, Xbox may have a surprise fourth game planned for the showcase. Speculation suggests it could be the rumoured Fallout 3 Remaster, though Microsoft has not confirmed any additional announcements.
Previous Developer Direct events have featured surprise reveals, making this a possibility worth watching for.
Accessibility Features
Microsoft is continuing its commitment to accessibility with multiple viewing options:
- Audio Descriptions (AD) in English on Xbox YouTube
- American Sign Language (ASL) on Xbox YouTube and /XboxASL Twitch
- British Sign Language (BSL) on Xbox On YouTube
How to Watch
Indian viewers can catch the stream on:
- Xbox YouTube Channel (4K/60fps available)
- Xbox Twitch Channel
- Bethesda YouTube Channel
- Bethesda Twitch Channel
What This Means for Indian Gamers
With Xbox Game Pass now widely available in India and the growing PC gaming market, Indian gamers have plenty of reasons to tune in:
- Forza Horizon 6 will be playable day one on Game Pass (currently Rs 499/month for Ultimate)
- Fable represents a return of a beloved RPG franchise
- Game Freak's first major non-Pokemon console game in years is an Xbox exclusive
Mark your calendars for January 22, 2026, at 11:30 PM IST for what promises to be an exciting start to Xbox's 25th anniversary year.
Source: Xbox Wire - Official Microsoft announcement
