Fable to use The Office-style mockumentary interviews as in-game storytelling device

Playground Games says Fable will use mockumentary interviews inspired by 'The Office' for story delivery

Playground Games has confirmed that its upcoming reboot of Fable will feature mockumentary-style interview segments throughout the game, drawing direct inspiration from the television series The Office and other British comedies.

The storytelling approach was first highlighted in early trailers for Fable, where characters appeared to address the camera directly.

According to Playground founder and general manager Ralph Fulton, these moments are not limited to promotional material and instead form part of the game’s core narrative design.

Speaking to Xbox Wire, Fulton said the studio looked to a broad range of British sitcoms from the past two decades when defining the tone of Fable.

He cited shows such as Peep Show and The IT Crowd as key influences, alongside The Office, which he described as an important reference point for both humour and technique.

“We were inspired by the incredibly rich variety of British comedies that have been around over the last 20 years, like Peep Show, The IT Crowd and so many others,” Fulton said. “We started with The Office, which again started out as quintessentially British, but also travels really, really well.”

Fulton explained that the influence extends beyond tone to the creative devices used to present characters.

He said the mockumentary interview format allows the development team to communicate jokes and personality traits without relying on extended dialogue sequences.

“I’ve never seen it in games before,” he said, adding that speaking directly to the camera can make moments feel more natural than traditional in-game conversations.

The technique has already been shown in footage released for the game, including a trailer in which Matt King appears as Humphrey the Golden, Guildmaster of Albion, addressing the viewer directly. 

Fable was showcased again during January’s Xbox Developer Direct, offering an extended look at gameplay and tone.

Playground Games has positioned the 2026 release as a reboot that builds on the series’ established identity, with comedy and character remaining central.