To compete with the likes of Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft is well aware that it needs to release first-party exclusive AAA titles on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, this is something that it has been struggling to do in recent years.
Apparently, things are going to get worse before they get a lot better. A new report suggests that several highly anticipated first-party titles are not yet ready for release.
This year, Microsoft is releasing Redfall in May while Forza Motorsport is coming out around the same time, although other reports suggest it's been internally delayed to a later date.
However, the biggest upcoming Xbox exclusive in a long time, Starfield, still doesn't have a release date despite Bethesda promising that it will be coming in the first half of the year.
Now, a new report reveals that Fable, Perfect Dark, and Everwild are "not close" to being ready.
Andy Robinson recently revealed in the VGC Podcast that Ninja Theory’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and Obsidian’s Avowed are the games that are closest to completion.
"I think the nearest ones for them are Hellblade and probably Avowed," Robinson revealed. "That’s the next big thing for them that they’ll be talking about. From my understanding, those two are the closest."
"It’s still pretty stunning that Fable is still miles away," he adds. "Perfect Dark is not close, Everwild is not close. Everything looks so great on paper and it’s just, the games are just not quite ready yet."
VGC’s Jordan Middler also shared that there are a lot of questions about the direction of Fable.
"I’m not sure if you made an original Fable-style game now it would be what people want," Middler said. "The term ‘Witcher-like’ was thrown about a lot to me. Which I feel will piss people off that like the original Fable."
Microsoft announced the development of Fable back in 2020. However, the company has not given fans updates since. We now understand why Microsoft hasn’t talked much about the status of the game save for apologizing for its long gestation. If it's any consolation, Fable is said to be in a playable state already and the main reason why it's taking so long is due to issues with the game engine it's using.
At the end of the day, a "delayed" game is eventually good when it comes. Here's to hoping that Microsoft delivers.
