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Fable developer Lionhead seeking experienced MMO programmer
Is the world of Albion coming to an MMO near you? That's up for speculation thanks to a job advertisement on Microsoft's career board. The software giant, which owns Fable developer Lionhead Studios, is seeking a programmer "who enjoys playing MMO games and has significant experience with the workings of a massive online multiplayer environment." Further requirements include "a minimum of one shipped MMO as a network programmer." Lionhead shipped Fable III in October of 2010, and the company is rumored to be developing a "controller-based" Fable IV in 2013, according to Eurogamer. When contacted by Eurogamer, Lionhead had this to say in an official statement: "Thanks for checking in with us! We're happy to tell you all about what we're working on. Just apply, get hired, and we promise to spill our guts!"
Fable: The Journey won't have swords or guns due to lack of feedback
If you tend to stick to the trees of Strength and Skill in the Fable series, you'll be out of your element in the series' Kinect-based installment, Fable: The Journey. In an interview with OXM, Peter Molyneux explained the player's bag of tricks would be limited strictly to magic. He added, "We could have done melee weapons, but the one thing I hate about melee weapons, and guns as well, is that the human brain is encoded to expect recoil from those things." Molyneux said that satisfying that expectation of physical feedback was necessary, and that "visuals and the sound isn't enough." It's that weakness that makes the game's robust magic system work. Molyneux explained, "The thing about magic is there's nothing encoded in your mind about how it should feel." That's true! The only preconception we have in mind about magic is that it probably requires a lot of gesticulation; something we know for a fact the Kinect excels at.
Molyneux admits Fable 3 wasn't 'all he dreamed it would be'
Young people may choose to rely on new-fangled methods like websites and E3 press conferences for the announcement of new Fable games, but we're far too rooted in tradition for that. No, we learn about the existence of a new Fable game by hearing Peter Molyneux admit there were problems with the last Fable game, the way our grandfathers did it. In an interview with Gamasutra, Molyneux admitted the game wasn't "all he dreamed it would be" saying, "It's hard to be completely honest without offending people; but I know, when I read in the middle of a review [of Fable 3] that said the quality just wasn't good enough, I actually agree with those reviews." Now, that's the headline of course, and the reason you're reading this post in the first place, but you owe it to yourself to read Molyneux's explanation. He manages to get across why Fable 3 didn't meet its full potential (not enough time, primarily) without excusing the game's failings. Oh Peter, you always know the perfect thing to say to win us over. ... Unless you're saying, "Hey, our game is done, let's sell it to people." Other than that, though, perfect.
Fable tech director leaves Lionhead to start new company
Simon Carter, co-founder of Lionhead satellite studio Big Blue Box and lead technical director on the Fable series, has left Lionhead to found a new team focusing on digitally distributed titles for consoles and PC. He will begin the new venture with his brother, Dene Carter, who is also a developer. Carter said the decision to leave Lionhead was a "very difficult one," but there are "lots of new opportunities to pursue." Carter worked in the long shadow of Peter Molyneux for ten years, having also held roles as technical lead on Dungeon Keeper and part of the Bullfrog Productions team. Maybe we can internalize Carter's next game as some form of technical reparation for Fable 3.
Molyneux declares Fable: The Journey 'definitely not on rails'
"My name's Peter Molyneux and I made this horrendous mistake." With that emblematic phrase, Lionhead creative director Peter Molyneux kicks off a hilarious public service announcement he created with the help of OXM UK. According to him, the Fable: The Journey demo he showed off at E3 2011 gave the impression that the game is "on rails," an idea he's quick to dispel. Apparently, the team at Lionhead working on the Kinect-based Fable title decided to remove navigation controls from the press demo, the same snippet shown during Microsoft's presser, effectively putting the game on rails and giving everyone the wrong impression. "I will just say on record now that Fable: The Journey is definitely not on rails," he specifies, even going so far as to ask for journalists' signatures before they exit the demo room. If you look really hard, you can spot one of our own among them. It's like Where's Waldo with squiggly pen marks!
Fable: The Journey conjures up a trailer
While you won't see any Kinect-enabled spells casted in this pre-rendered trailer for Fable: The Journey, there may be a few morsels of info in here. The trailer stars the series longtime prognosticator and narrator, Theresa, as she flees from a very The Nothing-like cloud of evil. Dare we say it, she looks a little younger than her previous iterations. Do we smell a prequel? Check it out after the break.
Fable: The Journey utilizes Unreal Engine 3
The cheerful hobbe you see above has been rendered in Unreal Engine 3. Lionhead Studios is using Epic's technology to power Fable: The Journey, a first-person Kinect game set in the land of Albion. We'll ask Lionhead what user-side benefits the technology offers for this game in particular (which is a major departure from the franchise), but you'll be pleased to know that Peter Molyneux's already giving it the hyperbolic treatment in the press release. "Already we are seeing a more beautiful, vivid and unique world full of dramatic moments and have crafted new, never seen before gameplay experiences." Fable 3 was built on Lionhead's own technology, which could be fairly described as "rickety." %Gallery-125521%
Fable: The Journey features Kinect-based journeying
Peter Molyneux has just announced Fable: the Journey for Xbox 360. The first-person Fable experience features Kinect integration, allowing the player to draw shapes in the air to cast spells. It also appears to be on-rails -- shades of Dead Space: Extraction?
Fable 3 demo rules over Xbox Live
If you've been nervous about testing out Fable 3's streamlined, yet still buggy, mechanics, we've got some good news. A demo's now available to Xbox Live Gold members, allowing them to try their hand at ruling a kingdom. Or selling hobos into slavery. You know, whatever floats your boat.
Fable 3 combat lead gets combative about game's reception
It's a comfort to know that though Fable 3 (launching today on PC) may have represented a downturn in quality from Lionhead's previous game, the studio's talent for utter delusion is as robust as ever. Combat lead Mike West starts out well enough, detailing for Eurogamer some improvements in the PC port, like control schemes optimized for mouse and keyboard and a beefed-up graphical engine that supports higher resolutions and 3D effects. But when West starts defending Fable 3 against critics, things get ... weird. Here's a sample. "[Fable 3] is a better game than Fable 2." ... That's not a good start, but keep going. "Fable 3 wasn't very buggy - it was pretty polished. It all fitted together very well and as a product it was very good." If you'll remember, as with all "pretty polished" games, Lionhead had to solicit bug reports from the community after the game's release. "People saying the story wasn't very good was unfair. It's an interesting situation of you gather people together and then defeating the main bad guy." Umm, Mike? ... Hey Mike? That last thing you said? That's not really what happens in your game. Well, it's what happens in the first half. ... Oh, wait, did you only play the first half? Not that we blame you of course, but it would explain so much.
Fable 3 will be crowned on Steam as well as Games for Windows
Despite what you learn in Fable 3, not everyone gets to be king. When it comes to PC gaming digital distribution platforms, there's only one king and its name is Steam ("Your Highness" will suffice). Microsoft, also known as the lowly Duke of Games for Windows, has finally seen fit to recognize Steam's monarchy and, as a form of tribute, will be offering its own Fable 3 on the reigning platform as well as its own. But nothing is ever that simple in court politics! While both digital releases, as well as the retail version, will be simultaneous, only Games for Windows Marketplace shoppers will be treated to a free copy of Fable: Lost Chapters, the expanded update of the original Fable. Steam shoppers will get the far less desirable Rebel's Weapon & Tattoo Pack, featuring some, uh ... weapons and tattoos for your hero. Retail shoppers get the security of a box and a disc, so that's something. Fable 3 is due on PCs on May 17 in North America and shortly thereafter elsewhere.
Fable 3 PC system requirements revealed, your highness
Revolution doesn't come free, as any, uh, revolter (revolutioneer?) will tell you. On May 17, Fable 3 will launch on the Windows and bring with it a tale of two royal siblings vying for the crown -- but will you be able to cast off the shackles of oppression and fight for freedom? Probably not. I mean, have you ever tried to throw a shackle? They're heavy! Anyway, Lionhead's passed along the system requirements for Fable 3, which aren't too heavy, and you can check them out past the break. Remember, it'll also run in 3D, which is kind of revolutionary for the series. That's it: revolutionary!
Molyneux: 'Minecraft's the best thing I've played in the last ten years'
Is Markus Persson's blocky world-builder pretty much your favorite thing on the earth, right up there with blue cotton candy and baby laughter? You're among some pretty prestigious company -- in a recent interview with IGN, gaming industry titan Peter Molyneux sung the praises of Minecraft, even going so far as to say, "I think Minecraft's the best thing I've played in the last ten years." Molyneux added that he appreciated the solo efforts of Persson, saying, "he did everything on his own, and I think how brilliant and inspirational that is, to not need the full force of publishers and marketing people." That's not all -- we hear Persson developed the entire game while astride the back of a gallant steed while holding an eagle in each hand. Now that's inspirational.
Following Fable 3 disappointment, Molyneux bounces back with BAFTA award
Poor Peter Molyneux was down in the dumps. Following the "justifiably" mixed reception of Fable 3, Molyneux was wondering if his career had already peaked. "We just weren't good enough with the craft of what we did. That always makes you reflect," he recently told The Guardian. Apparently, Molyneux was even doubting his future in game development. "'Have I already created the greatest game I'm ever going to create? Is the rest just a downhill struggle?'" he asked himself "late one night" a few months back. But then, the very next day he received a letter informing him of a BAFTA Fellowship nomination -- an honor he received in-person this past weekend. "As I walked up on stage I almost fainted. There was this sea of faces, and lots of people I've worked with before, and everyone stood. I was choking up," he admitted. "It was an incredible feeling, and I do immediately want to go home and start proving that I'm really, truly worthy of this." Molyneux noted during his acceptance speech that his cyclical over-promising isn't a PR tactic as much as it's him "over-believing" in his own products. "I always truly believe that this is going to be the greatest game of all time -- I wouldn't try to do it any other way," he said. And we wouldn't want you to, Molyneux.
Milo's 'drama director' discusses emotion-capture
Milo and Kate -- Lionhead Studios' industry-wowing Kinect demo, first revealed at E3 2009 -- has been in limbo following last September's comment from Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer, who wasn't "convinced" the product would make it to market. We're still waiting with bated breath for news of some kind of playable implementation, but in the meantime, Milo's so-called "drama director," John Dower, has released a video diary featuring the real Milo (well, the mocap actor) and a behind-the-scenes look at creating the emotion within this would-be virtual boy. Check out the video (which contains a fair share of gameplay footage) after the jump. We warn you, though: It's just as intriguing and exciting as the first time you saw "Project Milo," which might send you into uncontrollable spells of worry that a finished product will never materialize. As always, we'll keep our fingers crossed.
Fable 3 set to overthrow the PC kingdom May 17 [update: now with screens!]
PC gamers, it's time for you to renew your passport and update your vaccinations: You're going to be taking a trip to Albion in a few short months. Microsoft has announced that the third installment in its morally dichotomous RPG series, Fable 3, is due out on the PC in North America May 17, and in Europe, Australia and New Zealand May 19. The Windows version of the game will include full 3D support for folks using the appropriate NVIDIA cards, and will also add a "Hardcore" mode, giving the game an unprecedented level of difficulty. We wonder if that difficulty will be reflected in the game's major ethical decisions as well -- for instance: Do you want to sacrifice your children, your wife, or your dog ... in the real world? Mwahahaha! Update: Check out a ton of screens in the gallery below. %Gallery-117551%
Fable re-imagined as 8-bit adventure game
Lionhead community moderator Matthew Allen recently took some time off of moderating the, uh, community in order to mock up what Fable might have looked like "sometime around 1985." In short, it looks an awful lot like an old Sierra adventure game and that's just fine by us. Unlike the other Fable demake, Fableous (which has a demo now!), Allen's images were created purely for fun, so don't expect the project to turn into a real game. Still, be sure to check out the mock-ups in the video after the break. The 8-bit Fable music alone makes it worthwhile, we promise.
Lionhead survey seeks feedback on Fable franchise
What's your favorite Fable game? Lionhead is seeking the (obvious) answer in a community survey that's also intended to rank the franchise's thirteen core features, as listed by the developer, in order of importance. Fable players are asked to evaluate design elements like accessibility, British humour, co-op and the Dog, assigning each its rightful, subjective rank. (And what about the bugs, you're wondering? Those are actually dealt with in a separate survey.) "Sure we could try and digest 1,000,000 forum posts and come up with the data that way," Lionhead community manager Sam Van Tilburgh wrote in a community call to take the survey, "but it would take way too long and so it isn't very efficient." "Lionhead has a long relationship with a large and passionate community," Van Tilburgh added in a comment on the post, "so it's just a continuation of what we've been doing for many years now" -- and, presumably, for many years to come. Head of the pride Peter Molyneux has previously said his studio has plans for at least a Fable 4 and 5, which could include Kinect integration (not mentioned in the survey). Fable 3 debuted last October and went on to become the #7 bestselling release of 2010 on Xbox 360, according to NPD data published by Gamasutra. The PC version is still unreleased.
Fable 3 DLC starts raining hats and dogs
So, you're unhappy with the current breed of your Fable 3 murderhound? That's totally understandable -- the three options currently made available to settlers of Albion are Border Collie, Boxer and Red Setter, none of which are considered the classic warrior breeds. Luckily, the "Dog Breed Pack" (out today for 240 Microsoft Points) makes three far more combat-ready types of pups available for adoption: German Shepherd, Doberman and Poodle. What? Have you ever seen a poodle when it's really, really angry? Those things are vicious, man. If you're content with your dog's current genetic makeup, perhaps you'll be interested in another piece of DLC released by Lionhead today: The "Free Yule Hat," which, true to its name, is totally free. Seems like a nice way to add a little festivity to Albion's bleaker regions -- just make sure you take it off before you decide to conduct some horrible, unspeakable act. We'd hate for you to tarnish the image of Santa, you know.
Fable 3 patch prevents crashes, cures Jasper's laryngitis
With a 5MB title update released this morning on Xbox Live, Lionhead Studios has corrected some major Fable 3 issues. Primary among the fixes: quest progression issues (enemies not appearing, player getting physically stuck in certain parts of the world, etc.) and total game crashes. Additionally, various online multiplayer issues have been resolved, as has Jasper's curious case of sudden laryngitis. And hey, if you played in Japanese and really missed Reaver's voiceover in that one quest, you're all set now! The complete, embarrassing list of fixes can be found after the break.
