While DOOM: The Dark Ages and South of Midnight took home two smaller awards, nothing from Xbox was nominated for the big prize this year; yet alone took home the trophy. However, looking ahead to 2026, you’ve got to think that Xbox might be in with a shout given what’s in the pipeline for the next 12 months.
We keep banging on about ’em, but Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day and Halo: Campaign Evolved are all set to come out of Xbox Game Studios next year. Then, you’ve got whatever games XGS hasn’t pinned on the map yet, alongside whatever might drop from Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. It’s set to be a pretty historic year to mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox.
From what we know about so far – Fable feels like the one that could be in with a GOTY shout for 2026. It’ll have been more than 15 years since the last mainline entry in Fable 3, which means folks will be paying attention to it. And, an open-world RPG in this vein always tends to be pretty popular; we have faith that Fable could at least be in the conversation.
Whether that Playground Games epic — or indeed any other Xbox first-party title — wins next year remains to be seen, but we think Microsoft has the best shot it’s had in years to at least be nominated. But, what about you? Will any of Xbox’s 2026 releases become Game of the Year nominees next year?
Get thinking ahead to TGA 2026 and tell us your thoughts on this topic down below.
Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin’ in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that’s far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.