Hey there, fellow gamers! 🎮 Let's rewind to 2020, shall we? I was just reminiscing about how Playground Games, the brilliant UK studio behind the Forza Horizon series, made a huge splash by hiring Simon Bean—the former lead animator at Dumbaster Studios who worked on Dead Island 2. That was two years after Forza Horizon 4, and the studio was clearly gearing up for something big: their first-ever RPG. Rumors swirled that it was a reboot of the beloved Fable series. Fast forward to 2026, and wow, have things changed! So, what actually happened with that mysterious project? And how did Microsoft's grand plans for the Xbox Series X and Series S play out? Let's dive in.
First, let's talk about Playground Games. Back in 2020, they had over 200 employees and were still hunting for veteran developers. Simon Bean's move from Dumbaster Studios was just one of many high-profile hires. He announced his new role on Twitter, and fans immediately speculated about what kind of game would need a lead animator from a zombie-slaying title like Dead Island 2. A Fable reboot? That would make perfect sense—a whimsical RPG with rich characters and creatures. And guess what? That's exactly what we got. After years of anticipation, Fable finally launched in 2025, and it was a magical return to Albion. The animation work was top-notch, no doubt thanks to Bean's expertise. Who would have thought that a lead animator from Dead Island 2 would end up shaping a beloved RPG franchise? Crazy, right? 🤯
Now, let's shift gears to Microsoft's plans. Remember that digital event in May 2020? Microsoft was expected to showcase its latest productions, including a cheaper model of its next-gen console—the Xbox Series S—and a few first-party titles. They also trademarked the 'Series X' logo, which we now know as the official icon, and a similar 'S' icon for the Series S. That event happened, and it set the stage for the current generation. The Xbox Series X and Series S both launched in Holiday 2020, with Halo Infinite as the flagship launch title—though it got delayed to 2021. But hey, better late than never, right? 😅
As for the rumored acquisition, Microsoft did announce a major studio purchase around that time: Bethesda. That was a game-changer. And the other Xbox Game Studios teams—The Initiative, 343 Industries, and Ninja Theory—have all delivered exciting projects since. The Initiative gave us a Perfect Dark reboot, 343 Industries continued Master Chief's saga with Halo Infinite and beyond, and Ninja Theory stunned us with Senua's Saga: Hellblade II. But Playground Games' Fable remains a crown jewel.
Now, let's talk hardware. Back in 2020, the Xbox Series X was touted as the most powerful gaming console, compared to its main rival, the PS5. Judging by the specs, it was a beast. Here's a quick comparison from that era:
| Feature | Xbox Series X | PS5 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS | 10.28 TFLOPS |
| CPU | 8x Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz | 8x Zen 2 @ 3.5 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1 TB NVMe SSD | 825 GB SSD |
But in 2026, the landscape has evolved. Mid-gen upgrades like the PS5 Pro have narrowed the gap, and Microsoft has its own refresh rumored. Still, the Series X remains a powerhouse. And with Fable finally out, it's a great time to be an Xbox owner. 🚀
So, what's next for Playground Games? They're now a proven RPG studio, and I can't wait to see what they do next. Maybe Fable II reboot? Or a new IP? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: that 2020 hiring spree paid off. And as for Microsoft's May 2020 event, it was a pivotal moment that shaped the generation. So, are you excited about the future of Xbox? I know I am. Let's keep gaming! 💥