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Another Fable 3 title update incoming, adding more funny voices
Fledgling heroes in the treacherous world of Albion have enough to worry about without fretting over the ever-present possibility of encountering Fable 3's technical hiccups. Luckily, Lionhead has revealed its plans to reduce the number of bugs -- as discovered and reported by the game's fans -- with an upcoming patch. This update will remedy issues such as corrupted save files, problems with the Sanctuary room, and some general performance issues like framerate drops and audio glitches. Lionhead also announced that it will release a "voice over pack" for certain unnamed regions -- but did not explain exactly what would be included in said pack. Our theory? All of the in-game characters' voices will be replaced by Stephen Fry's voice. "Even the ladies," you might ask? Absolutely.
Fable 3 fixes incoming, Lionhead asking for bug submissions
One expects to come up against all manner of opposition when attempting a violent overthrow of a monarchy, but game-crashing technical issues shouldn't be one of them. An update on Lionhead's official blog has revealed that the developer is currently working on a patch for a few known Fable 3 issues, and is also seeking bug submissions from the game's most attentive players. You might take umbrage over having to do QA for a game you spent 60 American dollars on, but, think of it this way: You can pretend like you just won Season 3 of The Tester. The blog post also contains a workaround for folks who are having trouble transferring their hard-earned gold over from the Fable 3 Kingmaker App over to the game itself. No, throwing your smartphone at your Xbox 360 as hard as you possibly can, hoping the gold will transfer over in the ensuing collision, is not the solution.
Fable 3 'Dog Outfit' DLC isn't what you think it is
Quick! Snap judgment: When you hear the term "dog outfit" with regard to Fable 3 -- a game widely known for its canine companion -- what do you think of? Perhaps an adorable little garment for your adorable best friend? Something gaudy and ostentatious -- you know, like horse armor? That's a pretty logical guess, but keep in mind that we're talking about a series where lovers gravitate to the hero who farts the best. Logic isn't really Fable 3's strong suit -- as evidenced by the fact that the game's first premium DLC, the "Dog Outfit," is actually a costume worn by the player. The getup will run you 160 Microsoft Points ($2), but that price should be justified by the strange looks your pet will give you when he sees you dressed as a giant version of himself. Not to mention the strange looks we will give you, because, hey dude, you just bought a dog costume. [Thanks David!]
Fable 3 dev diary demonstrates your awkward Xbox Live romances
Listen, you guys need to start getting okay with the fact that, pretty soon, you're going to have to proposition your Xbox Live friends if you want to get all the 'Cheevos tucked away in Fable 3. We suggest watching this dev diary to learn the proper etiquette when making said awkward proposal.
PSA: Free Fable 3 weapons DLC available now
Microsoft has released free DLC for Fable 3 on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The content includes two weapons: a war hammer (the "Bloodstone Bludgeon") and a rifle ("Gusket's Musket"). Neither will be immediately available; they're added to your "gift queue" and be unlocked as the game progresses.
Fable 3 'Villager Maker' kinda working now
A couple days back, folks who pre-ordered Fable 3 may have received their redemption codes for the Villager Maker, only to discover it didn't work. Well, today the system appears to be working, with some significant hiccups. We were able to get through the process, but we won't be able to confirm if it worked until Fable 3 launches next week on October 26. To design your villager, you'll have to log into Xbox.com and redeem the code (which expires Nov. 23) you received from a participating retailer. We had issues getting the system to work at all with Firefox, but it did respond to Safari -- what we're saying is, try a different browser if you're having problems. Also, we couldn't generate the face of any character who wasn't of the Caucasian persuasion, but their body did acknowledge other skin tones. Once again, we have no idea if the whole system actually works, but at least the website and redemption system is currently working.
Fable 3 offers free, day-one DLC with new copies
If you pick up a new copy of Fable 3 next week, you'll find a free, one-time-use Xbox Live redemption code bundled inside. What does the code unlock, you ask? One flask of Raise Dead potion, another of Slow Time potion, the Scot Male/Female Hero Outfit, the Highlander Tattoo Set and the Red Setter skin for your virtual pooch. The items haven't been priced otherwise on Xbox Live Marketplace, but we have to imagine they'll be part of Fable 3's in-game store. If shopping isn't your thing, perhaps you'll be more interested in the new action-packed trailer we've included after the break. You don't even need a code to access it.
Molyneux: Fable series not 'limited' by trilogy formula
Three: it's just a nice, round number. You have a beginning, middle and end. Good things are also said to come in threes, but according to Lionhead's Peter Molyneux, Fable 3 doesn't necessarily close the book on Albion and the franchise. During an Inside Xbox segment at Eurogamer Expo (transcribed by GamerZines), Molyneux said he hates "limiting" the studio to a trilogy. "Forget about the word 'trilogy.' I'm not going to tell you what happens at the end of Fable 3 but I don't think you'll feel in any way that you've reached the end of a trilogy." It's by no means confirmation the series will extend past the third entry, sure, but if Fable 2 is any indication, we'll likely feel the same way at the end of Fable 3 as we did two years ago: wanting more regardless.
Fable 3 Kinect minigames involved statue making, tomatoes
Though Fable 3 creative lead Peter Molyneux has kept mum every time we've asked him what Kinect functionality was to be implemented in his studio's forthcoming game, a Fable rep casually let slip to Kotaku that the game at one point included statue making and tomato throwing. Wait, huh? Unfortunately, the representative realized the err of their ways and wouldn't say anything else about the cut minigames. Molyneux explained to us back in August that the Kinect functionality had been cut from Fable 3's launch due to the need for more time to fully develop the experience. "Is this what people would expect Kinect to be in something like Fable?," Molyneux rhetorically wondered at the time, clarifying that "the answer, quite frankly, was 'no.'" Though Microsoft and Lionhead have yet to confirm as much officially, Molyneux also teased the possible inclusion of Kinect features in the future of the Fable series, saying, "I think the future for Kinect and Fable is probably bright." We expect, for example, that the technology harvested from Milo's virtual corpse is likely coming to the Fable franchise in the future. It appears, however, that the future won't be bright red.
Fable 3 launch trailer is all about the slow motion, slow rock
You know, we thought we'd seen everything presented in slow motion, thanks to Hollywood, but it turns out we've missed out on one thing up until now: the slow-motion handshake. Thanks for making our life complete, Fable 3 launch trailer!
Fable 3 soundtrack coming October 26
Bastion of video game music, Sumthing Else Music Works, has announced plans to release the Fable 3 soundtrack later this month. The soundtrack, created by series composer Russell Shaw and performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, will be released alongside Fable 3 on October 26. Interested kings-to-be can pre-order the soundtrack from Amazon for $16. The soundtrack will also be available via Sumthing Digital, iTunes and other digital music retailers.
Fable 3 Kingmaker app not coming to North America; Lionhead releases trailer
Fable 3 Kingmaker, which we've learned is an initiative by the Xbox team in Europe, won't be helping North American "smartphone" owners stuff their in-game coffers before Fable 3's October 26 launch. A Microsoft representative told Joystiq today, "Kingmaker is a Europe only digital marketing promotion. No U.S. integration." That's a pity, especially since the Foursquare-style app looks like it would've been good for getting the Albion-American faithful out of the house. Oh well, with pre-order they can still participate in creating their own NPC. A full list of smartphones capable of playing Kingmaker still isn't available, but a safe bet is integration with Windows Phone 7 (once it's released). Check out the Kingmaker trailer after the break and imagine all that gold you won't be making by walking around.
Fable 3 getting 'smartphone' tie-in game called 'Kingmaker'
Just the other day, I was talking about larger gaming companies using iPhone games to promote their major titles, and here you go: Microsoft and Lionhead Studios' Peter Molyneaux are set to introduce a "smartphone" game next week (presumably that means iPhone, although given that it's Microsoft, it might not be) that will tie-in to the upcoming Fable 3 release on the Xbox 360. The game will be called "Kingmaker," and it sounds like it'll be an augmented reality title, with UK players able to explore their real-world town and "plant virtual flags for the Royals or the Rebels." Every flag planted will earn in-game gold, and that gold will transfer over to the full console title when it is released later this year. Unfortunately, there are still a few questions -- a release about the game only mentions the UK, and of course, that "smartphone" label means it might not be coming to the iPhone. But there's not long to wait, at least. The official site for the game says it's coming out on October 1st. We'll keep an eye on both the site and the game -- even if this doesn't end up being an iPhone title, there's no question that other developers will be watching to see how it works, and thinking about how they might use this strategy for their own titles.
Fable 3 developer diary features a star-studded voice cast
The Fable franchise has always prided itself on its clever, engrossing writing -- but even if the entirety of Fable 3's dialogue was written by baby rhesus monkeys, we're pretty sure the game's voice cast could make it sound incredible. The actors therein include seasoned VO veterans like Stephen Fry and Zoe Wanamaker, as well as relative newcomers Simon Pegg and Sir Ben Kingsley, who totally has an Oscar. Check out these master thespians' thoughts on Lionhead's upcoming action-RPG in the developer diary posted after the jump. Make sure you stick around for Fry's inspiring advice at the end of the clip. Don't forget: Just be yourselves, friends.
Fable 3 'Kingmaker' companion game coming Oct. 1 to 'smartphones'
Back in August, Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux teased that, while there wouldn't be a Pub Games-like companion game for Fable 3 on XBLA, something similar was in the works -- seemingly for mobile phones -- that we'd see in October. Well, that something would definitely appear to be Fable 3 Kingmaker, a "smartphone" game due on October 1. The title was revealed by the UK's Xbox World magazine and detailed by CVG. "The battleground is your town, and your only weapon is your smartphone," according to Xbox World, which, when combined with statements like "plant virtual flags for the Royals or the Rebels" and "claim power-ups in locations throughout the United Kingdom," suggests that Kingmaker will be a foursquare-style app based on checking in at different locations in the real world. "For every flag you plant, and every power up you claim, you shall earn gold coins, which you shall then be able to transfer into the Fable 3 game on your Xbox 360," the description reads. Of course, this information is UK-centric, so we're checking with Microsoft's US PR to clarify release plans for North America. There's also the matter of what exactly a "smartphone" constitutes in this case -- will the game be released in the Apple App Store and Android Market? An official site for Kingmaker has been launched, which, for now, simply contains some artwork and the October 1 date.
Fable franchise expected to incorporate Milo's technology
It seems like just a couple months ago that Peter Molyneux was on stage at the prestiguous TED conference sharing "Project Milo" with the attendees, and now rumors suggest the virtual boy-shaped tamagotchi has been put down and carved up. We spoke with Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer in Tokyo last week and asked him about the commercial prospects of the always commercially vague Milo project. "If I had to bet, which I guess I do, I think you will see the innovation that that team put forward come to market, absolutely," Spencer told Joystiq. "Will it be under the idea and framework of 'Milo,' I'm not as convinced of that."
Fable 3 video models home interiors
Fable 2's interior design aesthetic was pretty much always "country drab," with the occasional mansion to customize with "nouveau riche gauche." Fable 3 is adding loads of new choices for the aspiring virtual decorator. See Lionhead's crib creation tour right after the break.
Fable 3 Achievements feature the familiar and the strange
If you choose to throw your cautious attitude towards avoiding Fable 3 spoilers to the wind by checking out the list of Achievements posted after the jump, you'll find a mix of accomplishments both old and new. Some reward gameplay mechanics that have been present in all iterations of the franchise, such as digging and ... um, cross-dressing. Others require you to perform fresh, innovative tasks, like freaking down with one of your Xbox Live friends. The Achievement hunters among you are going to be in for some awkward, awkward conversations when Fable 3 launches October 26.
Watch the Fable 3 Collector's Edition unboxing
Honestly, we don't know why we do this to ourselves. Here we are, just sort of casually wanting the Fable 3 "Limited Collector's" Edition and we have to go and watch the unboxing video after the break. So now it's all we want. But look at the thing! It looks like a book! What are we, made of stone?
Fable 3 preview: a reason to believe
Albion has entered its industrial age. Not that I need the helpful, disembodied voice to tell me that in Fable 3's opening, of course. The change is evident in how the once colorful landscape seems to be covered in soot. It's clear from a single glance at the sorrowful, broken eyes of a townsperson worked to the bone. "The Fable team hasn't changed very much, it's generally the same people and because that's the case, for us, there's a love there for the world, and there's a love there for the characters," design director Josh Atkins tells me. "We can't afford, emotionally, to be complacent." It's a little ironic that it was the team's commitment to do right by Fable 3, to not play it safe, that forced them to make Albion such an unfortunate place in which to live. %Gallery-101206%
