Following the announcement of Fable's delay to 2026, insider reports have surfaced, painting a troubling picture of the game's development. Contrary to the official statement citing the need for additional polish, sources suggest that the game is in a dire state, which is the actual reason for the delay.

Insider Extas1s has revealed that Playground Games is facing significant challenges with the ForzaTech engine, which was initially designed for racing games and is reportedly ill-suited for an open-world RPG like Fable. Extas1s also mentioned that early gameplay versions were "not particularly engaging," leading the developers to undertake substantial reworks of the game's mechanics and pacing.

Another insider, HeisenbergFX4, echoes these concerns, stating that Fable is far from complete and may not even meet the 2026 deadline. With Microsoft planning to release Fable on PlayStation as well, the game must meet the high standards expected by Sony's audience. HeisenbergFX4 emphasizes that following the disappointing reception of Starfield and the mixed reviews of Avowed, Microsoft cannot risk another major failure.