Microsoft Still Not Guaranteeing Fable Legends Will Launch This Year

Lionhead's free-to-play Xbox One and PC game Fable Legends was at one time scheduled to launch this fall as part of Microsoft's "greatest games lineup in Xbox history." But that didn't really happen.

The game is available now through a limited closed beta that users must agree to a non-disclosure agreement to play, but when will everyone get to play the full game?

That's the question Game Informer put to Microsoft today. The company said more details will be shared in the "coming weeks" though it would not commit to launching the full game before the end of the year.

"As a service-based title in closed beta, we're always working to make sure that when we open Fable Legends to everyone, that it's a great gameplay experience," a Microsoft representative said. "We are continuing to expand our closed beta and will have more details to share in the coming weeks."

This matches up with what Microsoft marketing executive Aaron Greenberg told GameSpot in October. At the time, he explained that Fable Legends will remain in closed beta for the foreseeable future.

"We'll move those titles into full, open beta when they're ready," Greenberg said. "But we don't want to rush that until they're ready. So, at this point, we're staying in closed beta and we'll share more news when we're ready to. But it's been nice to see the initial reaction from fans that have been playing and a lot of demand from more people who want to get in and experience those games."

Whenever it's released, Lionhead has high hopes for Fable Legends. The developer thinks the game will enjoy up to a 10-year lifespan, staying interesting and relevant through lots and lots of DLC.