Playground Games' Fable survived over a decade of development despite widespread Xbox layoffs and studio closures because the franchise is considered vital to the platform's identity. The game's survival contrasts sharply with canceled projects like Everwild and shuttered studios, with director Ralph Fulton crediting Fable's importance to Xbox's DNA as protection during turbulent years of acquisition-driven upheaval.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, in her first six months leading the company, personally responds to customer support tickets a few hours monthly to better understand players and their issues. She has also overseen major changes including price cuts to Game Pass Ultimate, layoffs, and strategic decisions like green-lighting a new Fallout RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and signing director Hideo Kojima for multiple projects.