Microsoft Aiming To Launch Four Big Games This Year While Avoiding GTA VI – Report

Xbox is gearing up for a busy 2026, as a new report states Gears of War: E-Day is planned for a fall launch–as is Fable–with both games trying to avoid Grand Theft Auto VI.

The Verge reports that there is a concerted effort within Microsoft to release its “four horseman” within 2026, with each one representing a franchise that has been a driving force for the Xbox brand in the past. While a recent Xbox Developer Direct provided new looks at Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, Microsoft has yet to showcase Gears of War: E-Day meaningfully since its reveal in June 2024.

Currently, Forza Horizon 6 is expected to release in May, while Fable has been given a Fall release window later into 2026. The report states that Microsoft is aiming to have Gears of War: E-Day launch in the same fall timeframe, while Halo: Campaign Evolved, which will bring the shooter franchise to PlayStation for the first time, is being prepared for a summer launch. Microsoft is reportedly aiming to avoid Grand Theft Auto VI’s release in November as much as possible, which could affect the exact release dates for both Gears of War and Fable.

Along with four marquee launches, Microsoft is also supposedly preparing to launch a “next-gen” controller with streaming in mind. This new controller will reportedly allow for Wi-Fi connectivity, letting to bypass a steaming device–a console, smart TV, PC, or anything else Microsoft deems an Xbox–and send inputs directly to the game you’re streaming. This is a similar approach that Google took with Google Stadia and should help alleviate latency with game streaming.

Additionally, The Verge’s report also mentions that the Fallout 3 remaster is still in development, despite the countdown coinciding with Fallout Season 2’s finale not being related to the project.

Earlier this week, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su mentioned that the company is preparing to support a next-generation Xbox launch in 2027, despite no official announcement from Microsoft itself.

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