Xbox Developer Direct: Forza Goes to Japan and Fable Finally Shows Up

Microsoft's next digital showcase lands on January 22. Here is the UAE timing and why Forza fans finally got their wish.

Microsoft is kicking off the year with another Xbox Developer Direct, and for once, the lineup looks solid. Scheduled for January 22, the digital showcase promises actual gameplay rather than just cinematic trailers that tell us nothing.

The headline act? Forza Horizon 6 is finally heading to the location fans have been screaming for.

Here is what you need to know about the event and how to watch it from Dubai.

The Short Version

Event: Xbox Developer Direct
Date: January 22, 2026
UAE Time: 10:00 PM
Big Reveals: Fable gameplay, Forza Horizon 6 (Japan), and Game Freak's new IP.

When to Watch in the UAE

For once, we don't have to ruin our sleep schedule. The event streams globally at 6 pm UK time.

That lands at 10 pm UAE time on Thursday, January 22. You can catch it on Xbox's official YouTube and Twitch channels.

Forza Horizon 6: Finally in Japan

After years of rumours and eager Reddit threads, it is happening. Microsoft confirmed Forza Horizon 6 will be set in Japan.

The Developer Direct will show the first proper gameplay. We expect tight city circuits for drifting and mountain passes for the brave. Given the setting, this could easily be the biggest entry in the series.

What to expect:

First gameplay reveal
Confirmation of the Japan map
Likely release date targeting late 2026

Fable: The "Extended Look"

We announced Fable back in 2020. Since then, we've seen a lot of Richard Ayoade and very little actual RPG mechanics.

Microsoft says this event features a "first extended look." Hopefully, that means UI, combat, and interaction systems, not just another scripted walk-and-talk.

This joins a busy period for Xbox studios, following the news that Avowed is coming to PS5 with new features.

Game Freak's New IP: Beast of Reincarnation

This is the wildcard. Game Freak—the studio that churns out Pokémon—is showing off a new IP called Beast of Reincarnation.

It is set in a near-future Japan and directed by Kota Furushima, a veteran battle designer for Pokémon. But unlike Pikachu's adventures, this isn't tied to Nintendo.

Key details:

Platforms: Xbox, PlayStation, and PC
Release: 2026
Publisher: Fictions

It is rare to see Game Freak step onto high-fidelity consoles with a new IP. If the combat has the depth of competitive Pokémon without the technical baggage of the Switch, it could be special.

Event Summary

Here is how the confirmed lineup breaks down for the night:

Game	Developer	What's Being Shown	Release Window
Forza Horizon 6	Playground Games	First Gameplay (Japan)	TBC
Fable	Playground Games	Extended Look	TBC
Beast of Reincarnation	Game Freak	In-depth Look	2026

With the D.I.C.E. Awards 2026 nominees already highlighting a strong year for gaming, Xbox needs these titles to land well. We will be covering the full announcements as they happen.

FAQs

When is the Xbox Developer Direct in UAE time?

The event starts at 10:00 PM GST on Thursday, January 22. It will be streamed on Xbox's YouTube and Twitch channels.

Is Forza Horizon 6 definitely set in Japan?

Yes. Microsoft has officially confirmed the Japan setting, and the first gameplay footage will be shown during this event.

Is Beast of Reincarnation an Xbox exclusive?

No. Game Freak's new title is confirmed for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC with a scheduled release in 2026.

Will we get release dates for Fable and Forza?

It is likely but not guaranteed. Microsoft has promised gameplay and extended looks, but specific release dates often come later in the marketing cycle.