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Molyneux: Fable II online co-op patch may make launch
Lionhead CEO Peter Molyneux is saying that Fable 2's online co-op could be available on launch day. Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog announced over the weekend that the feature would not be available at launch, but should be auto-patched in later, hopefully within a week.Speaking at a video game festival in Paris yesterday, Molyneux allegedly said that Fable 2 would include online co-op at launch, though clarified today that he could not confirm the timing, saying the team had an "ambition" for a day one patch. Having that wiggle room of a week would probably be best for Lionhead, but we're happy to take the online patch at launch too.
Molyneux okay with Fable 2 defining his legacy
After Fable 2 went gold and having some time to reflect, Lionhead's Peter Molyneux is so happy with the final product, that he's comfortable with having Fable 2 being the game that defines his "position in the industry." "At the end of the day you can stand up in front of people and wave your arms, but unless you actually create a product, you don't deserve that attention," Molyneux told GamesIndustry.biz saying that Fable 2 "should define my position in the industry, and if it's not good, that says something about me. And if it is good, that also says something about me. I'm incredibly proud of Fable and with what the team has managed to do with it."Awww shucks, Mr. Molyneux is not only happy with the final product Fable 2 has turned out to be, but he also isn't giving us any excuses to why it wasn't his ideal vision. We can't wait to give it a go and make our determination of Molyneux's worth. How exciting!
Molyneux: Next project is 'very different' and 'ridiculously ambitious'
With Fable 2 officially going gold a few days ago, we figured Peter Molyneux and the Lionhead crew would need to find a new project to work on. Surprisingly though, they are already working on a new project, they have been for a while now and according to Molyneux, it's going to be "ridiculously ambitious." This new Lionhead project information comes way of GamesIndustry.biz who had a chance to chat with Molyneux to discuss what's next for his team. "We've actually been working on another project now for a while, and obviously it's ridiculously ambitious, but it's ridiculously ambitious in a very simple way," Molyneux revealed admitting that it's "different to what you might think Lionhead would do." How intriguing, no?Just don't get too excited yet, because Molyneux made it known that he hasn't talked about the new project to anyone (how very un-Molyneux) and that the earliest we'd hear a peep out of the Lionhead pack would be sometime next year.
Fable 2 goes gold, now seeks platinum
Lionhead Studios announced earlier today that Fable II has gone gold, which means that everything appears to be on track for a release Oct. 21 in NA, Oct. 24 in Europe. To celebrate, the Lionhead team went to the pub last night and got a little tipsy. No word yet if anyone cheated at any games -- or if it was all part of Molyneux's master plan.[Thanks, Rooshma]
Molyneux: Pub Games 'glitch' intentional, with consequences
While we're sure you've already constructed your Scrooge McDuck-esque pool of golden, nefariously-obtained Fable II Pub Games earnings, Peter Molyneux might be preparing to pull off the biggest gamer prank since the anti-Spore Rick Roll. According to a quick blurb in IGN's Fable II preview, "Just be warned. Molyneux has said that the cheat was no accident and that those who used it to earn their money will be in for a surprise." Something tells us that "surprise" isn't being filthy rich in-game. Is he bluffing? We'll find out soon enough when our sea of coins is quickly drained from under us. Fable 2 is due out October 21. Need more Fable 2? We can't blame you. Check out our hands-on with the first three hours of the game, as well as our interview with Peter Molyneux, in which he talks about his game, Too Human and Lionhead's "shocking" secret project.
Molyneux gives Fable II '9 out of 10'
When asked if he'd fulfilled his vision for Fable II, Peter Molyneux gave the title "9 out of 10," reports CVG. The developer explained that it's the "best, most complete game" he's done, expressing his happiness with how the game looks and plays.Molyneux supports his excitement over Fable II by acknowledging his mistakes from the past. He explains that Black & White, The Movies, and "pretty much every game [he's] ever done," had interesting features tossed in without looking at what the final experience would be like. After more than a decade-long streak of making "brilliant but flawed" games, we'll be happy if Molyneux can finally shed that image with his latest work.
Molyneux talks three new Fables and a secret project
Lionhead's head lion Peter Molyneux recently said in an interview with GameTrailers that it took three years to make Fable 2. We note this because in the same interview, he also talks about doing three more Fable games. "We've got plans for Fable 3, 4 and 5 actually," he said. "It's a big story arc and if you play Fable II you'll recognize things from Fable 1." Extrapolating on Fable 2's development time, expect to see the series continue in 2011, 2014 and 2017, respectively.Additionally, Molyneux said that Lionhead is working on another, secret project that was the "kind of the result of an experiment that went incredibly well." He then went on to say that he likes projects that are challenging and made references to the sports genre, which may or may not indicate we'll see a fantasy RPG based on Brockian Ultra Cricket.[Via IGN]
Molyneux: Three more Fable games planned
In Gametrailers.com's latest interview with Fable 2 head master Peter Molyneux, we used our ninja-ears (yes, ninja-terming body parts is allowed under the ninja-naming rulebook) and actually picked up on a Fable franchise fact. At around the 5:10 mark (video after the break), Molyneux talks about his intent for the Fable franchise going forward saying that "we got plans for Fable three, four and five" and that "it's actually a big story arc." With the average turnaround time to develop a Fable game being around the eight year mark, our kids' kids will be playing Fable games for decades to come.
Lionhead refuses to comment on Molyneux's Fable 2 Oct. release hint
At the very beginning of Lionhead's latest Fable 2 Video Diary 6, Mr. Peter Molyneux can be seen sitting at his desk with pen and paper in hand, circling boxing-in the word "October" on a piece of paper. We actually spotted Molyneux's mysterious October hint yesterday when we posted the video diary, but now we're even more suspicious about its meaning after Lionhead refused to comment on the video or the October date when Eurogamer asked for more details. An official October Fable 2 release date? An elaborate trick by the Lionhead crew? Or does Molyneux simply utilize the stress relieving technique of writing down one's favorite month and boxing it in with a pen? You be the judge.
Lionhead's Molyneux open to revisiting his past catalog
Though his vision usually outstrips his games' technical prowess, super developer Peter Molyneux is still responsible for some the most unique gaming experiences ever put to code. He's let us soar through the air on an enchanted rug, mow down civilians in a near-future dystopia, and has even let us play god once or twice. Unfortunately, after having the distinct 'pleasure' of being absorbed by larger studios on two separate occasions, many of his most memorable creations have since been left to the pages of history. Even so, while Molyneux is currently courting players with his canine-friendly Fable 2, he recently told Shacknews that he's open to revisiting his earlier games, particularly Syndicate. "I really would love to redo a version of Syndicate," he commented, adding that while he has not been given the go ahead to knock the dust off his past achievements, "one day, I'm sure that opportunity is going to come up and I'd love to do it." Of course, he's said this all before, but we continue to hold out hope. In a world filled with one mundane first-person shooter after the next, we could really use another Magic Carpet.
Molyneux boasts about his post-Fable 2 project
Mad scientist extraordinaire Peter Molyneux has made a great discovery! In an interview with GamersGlobal, the Fable 2 designer talked about an AI-focused experiment codenamed Dmitri. The experiment became a game six months ago after "a discovery was made." Said Molyneux, "I think that discovery is so significant... This discovery has lead us to start a game and that game will be on the front cover of Nature magazines and Science magazines." That's assuming the AI project doesn't develop self-awareness and kill us all.As for a release date, Molyneux said it would come out when "trees still [have] leaves, but with a brownish tint." Though our first thought is September, we've gone ahead and sent to Microsoft a picture of the official Joystiq elm tree spray-painted with the proper color in the hopes of an early review copy.
Molyneux laments the state of PC gaming, blames WoW and The Sims
Gamesindustry.biz has posted an article that features comments from outspoken game designer Peter Molyneux, and his thoughts on the current state of PC gaming -- and he's not awfully happy. The primary causes for his concern are the two enormous PC successes, World of Warcraft and The Sims. While the remarkable sales for these games should mean that new people are brought to PC gaming, he felt that they may be taking too much of the pie: "You've got The Sims and World of Warcraft sucking all the air out of the PC market. It's just incredible."Molyneux also called to question the casual gaming market on the PC. He admitted that some of the earlier successful casual games such as Peggle were all fine and dandy, but as of late the trend for casual-game developers has been to look at what's already doing well and simply re-brand it with a total lack of innovation. Rock star game designer "CliffyB" of Epic Games also recently voiced his opinions on PC gaming, saying that it is in "disarray" and that his studio will focus on console games for the time being.
Fable 2, Alan Wake and more confirmed for 2008
Microsoft Games chief Don Mattrick has confirmed (or, in some cases, reaffirmed) via a memo a handful of exclusive titles to arrive on Xbox 360 in 2008. The list of assuredly not canceled titles include Halo Wars, Too Human, Fable 2, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell: Conviction and "several exciting yet-to-be-announced titles." Following the list of 2008 exclusives, Mattrick continues to say that "Xbox 360 will be home to the next versions of great franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil ... Madden and FIFA." We're not sure if he meant to imply Resident Evil 5 is due out this year, but it's certainly a suspicious line. Other than this year, no schedule was given as to the release of these titles, although we now get a sense of what Microsoft feels will keep gamers happy in this post-Halo 3 world.
DS Daily: Heroes
No, we're not talking about the heroes you might be thinking of. We're talking about the heroes behind the heroes. The names and faces that make our games come alive. The visionaries, if you will.Yesterday's unveiling of a release date and the official website for Flower, Sun and Rain inspired a chat amongst the staff about the game's creator, Goichi Suda. You see, around these parts, we simply can't get enough of Suda's work: the wildly imaginative concepts, that inimitable visual style. Hand on heart, Suda's mere involvement in a project means a sale to this blogger is more than likely. We only wish others felt the same way.But what about you, reader? Is there a particular development guru you look up to? Are you more about Sakaguchi or Shiggy, Molyneux or Mizuguchi? And do you ever purchase a game solely because they played a part in its creation?
Bid for a role in Fable 2 at Child's Play dinner auction
Sure, it's tough to break into video games, but what about actually being a digital, non-breathing, non-playable character part of a virtual world? Unless you're a celebrity, such as Kristen Bell, or an athlete like, uh ... Slash, average humans like us have little or no chance to ever be "Annoying Quest Giver #72" or "Dude I Jacked for Bonus Gold #19." However, there's still hope, thanks to Lionhead Studios and the Child's Play Charity.At the Child's Play's Fundraiser Dinner Auction, Lionhead Studios will auction off, amongst other things, naming rights for five NPCs in their upcoming title, Fable 2. You could be a shopkeeper, farmer, "important" villager, monk, or quest giver, depending on if you can part with the necessary coinage (think of the children!). And while Joystiq writers can't accept bribes, if you wanted to use your winning bid to name a character in Fable 2 "Dan Dormer," I, errr, we wouldn't mind in the slightest. Now, would you kindly make that happen?
Molyneux: Xbox Live 'far more impactful' than Wii waggle
During an otherwise pedestrian interview, Peter Molyneux opened that big mouth again, this time putting the burden of another potential overstatement squarely on Microsoft's shoulders. The Fable man has predicted that Xbox Live "will ultimately be far more impactful on video games in the long term than something like the Wii controller."Molyneux isn't alone, but his view goes against the current (but possibly transitory) trend, which sees Wii demand reaching nothing short of phenomenon. Though, in practice, Wii is still an inconsistent technology; whereas Xbox Live is a stable and consistently growing platform that has changed the way publishers and developers create and deliver game content, and is inspiring competitors, namely Sony, to launch their own grand social networks for the console market. Is Molyneux dead on?[Via NeoGAF]
Joystiq impressions: Fable 2 'Combat Testbed'
Peter Molyneux describes Fable 2's combat as "kind of a little bit mad." It's just one blue button; a system that doesn't punish casual gamers (button-mashers), but still satisfies hardcore players. The number of experience points earned in any given skirmish is determined by how skillfully one uses the X-button. Timed button presses, including counters, are worth more than mashing, while incorporating blocking and charge attacks (both accomplished by holding X) will net you even more points to build your hero. The attack button is also context sensitive, as you'll automatically pick up and toss items strewn about the ground if your foes are at a distance, or you'll grab an enemy and shove him into a wall if you're battling in close quarters.Magic and ranged attacks (mapped to the Y- and B-buttons) will apparently operate in much the same way, but only the X-attack was on display at E3 in Lionhead's "Combat Testbed," a visually-lacking demo not meant to impress, but to arouse curiosity. "I know, it's bloody awful," Molyneux said of the current level of polish, while urging us to focus on more abstract concepts, like the amount of dedication that the development team has put into Fable 2's design. Molyneux is still haunted by his bold claims about the original Fable, lamenting his infamous 'greatest RPG evar' comment, made while Fable was still a rough draft. But the celebrated game designer insists that this -- to be the greatest -- is the goal for Fable 2, he's just not as (publicly) convinced he'll get there.%Gallery-4807%
Molyneux heavily alludes to co-op in Fable 2
We hope that Peter Molyneux isn't up to his old tricks with Fable 2 of saying too much and then having to take it all back. Last evening, during a special session, he reshowed Fable 2 again to a small group. He fully admitted, "[Fable] was a little bit sh*t." It looks like Molyneux is really trying to make this game good and Fable 2 will be his redemption for the promises made in the original.Molyneux added that there will be achievements for purchasing half the houses in a town and becoming the mayor ... there will also be an achievement for purchasing every house in the game (we hope he's exaggerating about it taking 1000 hours). He also strongly implied that co-op will be part of the experience. "I love multiplayer and I love co-op," he said. We have Crackdown for the precedent that this is possible. Now the real question is if the visiting player will be able to steal your spouse, burn down your house and purchase half your city thus usurping your mayorship. Hey, we're just excited about being able to play a pregnant female warrior -- Molyneux says there will not be a birthing minigame.
Molyneux talks death in Fable 2, regrets Black and White 2
According to Peter Molyneux, death in Fable 2 will be different than what we've seen in any other game. Fan website Loinhead (not a typo) recently landed an interview with Molyneux and they had a little chat about Fable 2, Black and White 2 and exposition ruining immersion. Right off the bat the Black and White 2 issues get taken care of. Molyneux admits the problems are a "list" and although there is plenty of blame to go around, ultimately they were "forced to finish the game." The money just ran out. He says if he could go back and do it again, they'd have started from scratch instead of looking back on Black and White, using that code as a jumping off point, and building from there. Molyneux says, "I wish we could go back to the start of the development ... start with a blank sheet of paper and plan it better."But that's the past, Molyneux says that one of the big announcements coming up about Fable 2 involves death (although Molyneux gives it proper dramatic fashion in the video after the break). He says that death isn't handled well in most games, "You go back in time twenty minutes to do the same thing over again. That's fine if I'm playing a platformer, not so fine if you're doing an RPG game." World of Warcraft has the death run, Prey turned death into a minigame ... we'll just have to see how Fable 2 handles the life hereafter. Wonder if the dog goes through the same issue when he dies, or maybe the dog fetches you from the afterlife?[Via Xbox360Fanboy]
Molyneux hints at next big Fable 2 announcement
Super Lionhead Studios fansite Loinhead scored an exclusive interview with the creative mastermind behind Fable 2 Peter Molyneux. And in the interview Molyneux talks a little bit about his past failures (Black and White 2), in-game combat, and hints at one of Fable 2's next big announcements ... death. Molyneux doesn't give any specifics to how death will be incorporated into Fable 2, but goes on to say that in other games when you die "you go back in time twenty minutes to do the same thing over again. That's fine if I'm playing a platformer, not so fine if you're doing an RPG game". So, traditional ways of dealing with death will not be good enough for Fable 2. But we've already known that Lionhead doesn't plan on taking the traditional path with the sequel (dog anyone?).Check out more of Molyneux's candid discussion in Loinhead's complete video interview posted after the break.
