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Fable Legends trades character creation for character definition
In the first three Fable games, the player's character has essentially been a blank slate, a hunk of marble waiting to be chiseled by player choices (and the occasional player mistake). It has always been up to the player to decide what their hero specialized in, to choose exactly how their hero looked and to govern their hero's morality. The character was yours from top to bottom. Fable Legends, just announced for the Xbox One, is taking a different approach. You'll still be able to customize your hero to a certain degree – at the barber shop, etc. – but Fable Legends ditches the blank slate of previous games for more defined characters. They all have unique voices, personalities and abilities. Yes, that means the sorceress you see in the video above will always be a sorceress. This more rigid character system is a fundamental change to the Fable formula, but the interesting part is it may not even be the most significant departure.
Fable 3 currently free on Xbox Marketplace
Fable 3, the game in the series we all tried to forget until something worse came along in Fable Heroes, is currently free on the Xbox Marketplace. It's still unclear if this is a bug, since the way you obtain it gratis is a little convoluted, or if this is some portent to today's Microsoft press conference. Here's how to get the game for free (which we've tested): You must be an Xbox Gold member. Head on over to the game's page and click purchase. Yes, it says that it's $20 (or whatever it is in your regional currency). Now comes the important part. Make sure you are paying with Microsoft Points, not with your credit card. You should see a final confirmation screen identical to the image above listing the game for free. Enjoy! As much as anybody can enjoy Fable 3. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
Lionhead job openings point to Unreal Engine 4 powering next game
Fable series developer Lionhead Studios is currently seeking a gameplay programmer and an automation engineer for an upcoming unannounced project, emphasizing that knowledge of Epic's Unreal Engine 3 or 4 is required for consideration. The company additionally seeks a core technology programmer and an animation director. Lionhead notes that the animation director position requires a "background working on new franchises or reimaginings of existing franchises." Previous Lionhead job listings sought online multiplayer level designers, hinting that the developer was working on "an MMO-like title for next generation consoles." Ex-Cryptic CEO John Needham was recently named Lionhead's Studio Head following the departure of co-founder Peter Molyneux.
Ex-Cryptic, Gazillion CEO John Needham is new Lionhead boss
John Needham is now the new boss of Lionhead Studios. Needham's previous posts include CEO of Cryptic Studios (Star Trek Online) for nearly three years and CEO at Gazillion Entertainment (Marvel Universe Online) for almost two years. "Our vision is focused on building innovative gaming services and triple-A experiences at Lionhead, and the rest of Microsoft Studios, which take advantage of Microsoft's incredible hardware and software platforms," Needham says in the MCV report. A glance at Needham's LinkedIn profile shows a legacy well-versed in MMOs, subscription-based services and free-to-play games. Lionhead was in the headlines last year when longtime boss Peter Molyneux left to start 22 Cans and put out his first experiment, Curiosity. Lionhead Studios was purchased by Microsoft in 2006. The studio's last game was the Kinect action-adventure game, Fable: The Journey.
Peter Molyneux speaks on the Fable MMO
Even though Fable creator Peter Molyneux left Lionhead Studios last March, he still has a lot to say about the gaming industry and genre he helped revolutionize. In an interview with IGN, Molyneux talks candidly about the upcoming new Xbox and the possibility of a Fable MMO. "I can see that that would work. The thing about Fable is that it was such a rich world. It was, well, what the name says it is. It's all about Fable and Albion and this idea of legends and humour. RPGs are great for MMO transitions. I can see that that concept works, and works quite well. I think the charm of Fable was in the feeling of the world and definitely the humour. If they keep that in an MMO, then there's no reason why it shouldn't do reasonably well, I don't think." Of course, Molyneux's successor at Lionhead is an MMO vet himself, so let's all hope that the MMO pieces come together.
Former SOE, Cryptic exec to lead Lionhead Studios
Lionhead Studios has a new head honcho. The Microsoft-owned firm known for its Fable franchise has appointed John Needham to be its Studio Head. Needham boasts plenty of MMO industry experience from prominent positions at SOE, Cryptic Studios, and Gazillion Entertainment (from CEO to CFO to Senior VP of Business Development and Operations). Microsoft's official announcement states that Needham's "deep understanding of all aspects of the gaming industry, from subscription-based massively multiplayer to client-based console and free-to-play online PC and mobile experiences will be a huge benefit to Lionhead."
Microsoft UK names new studio 'Lift London,' shuffles executives
Originally announced sans moniker back in September, Microsoft UK's new London-based studio now has something to put on its letterhead: "Lift London."Helmed by former Rare production designer Lee Schuneman, Lift London is a "21st century studio – not a studio that would make retail games – but a studio that would make games for the cloud," says Microsoft EMEA corporate vice president Phil Harrison, according to Develop. As announced previously, Lift London will primarily focus on developing games for connected mobile Microsoft devices in European territories, with an emphasis on tablet gaming.Harrison also announced that Rare studio boss Scott Henson will begin calling various shots as Lionhead Studios' new head of operations, permanently replacing the long gone Peter Molyneux. Until now, Lionhead has been the purview of COO Mark Webley. Additionally, former EA Partners/Origin senior director of business development Roger Walkden has been appointed as Lionhead's head of staff, presumably after several hundred puns were made out of his last name.
Fable 2 removed from Xbox.com, Games on Demand
We'll bet even Theresa didn't see this one coming. The downloadable version of Fable 2 has been removed from Xbox Live Marketplace, both via Xbox.com or the console itself. The news comes courtesy of a GameSpot tipster, and we have confirmed that Fable 2 has been pulled from Xbox Live in both its episodic and Games on Demand forms. Associated Fable 2 content, including DLC, trailers and avatar items, is still available for download. Furthermore, both the original Fable and Fable 3 remain available to download.We've put word into Microsoft to see what's up. It's too early to be certain, but we suspect Hobbes were involved.
Lionhead layoffs part of natural cycle, says Microsoft
Microsoft's Lionhead Studios, which most recently launched Fable: The Journey, has been hit with layoffs. Microsoft tells Develop that the downsizing represents less than 10 percent of Lionhead's head count and the publisher still intends to hire 100 people over the next year across its UK studios."Following the completion of Fable: The Journey, Lionhead Studios has begun work on its next projects," the statement to Develop notes. "As is common in the games industry, a smaller headcount is needed as projects kick-off and ramp up as full-production gets underway. At this time a small number of positions have been identified as at risk of redundancy and the affected employees were notified today."Fable: The Journey and Fable: Heroes have been the latest from the studio Peter Molyneux founded, who left in March to create new studio 22 Cans.
Fable: The Journey review: On the road again
If you're a fan of the long-running Fable series, you're probably wondering how designer Peter Molyneux's swan song for the franchise turned out. The good news is that Fable: The Journey finally fulfills some of Molyneux's infamous promises. The bad news is that few of them are the promises he made for Fable: The Journey.The Journey puts the player in the fur-lined boots of Gabriel, a young and adventurous Dweller, Albion's version of a gypsy traveler, who sits behind the reins of his beloved and loyal horse, Seren. Gabriel is anxious for a life of more than driving a cart through a caravan, hoping to find a life of adventure and heroism, presumably the same way the player is supposed to feel. Using the Kinect, players control Gabriel as he drives Seren on the roads of Albion. Before long, Gabriel is separated from his clan and comes across Theresa, the blind seer who has been a Fable mainstay since the beginning. Theresa tells Gabriel of his destiny and the magic he will wield.%Gallery-167908%
Fable: The Journey to find testimonials
This video tells us just how hardcore these hardcore gamers were before Fable: The Journey magically turned them into hand-waving casuals. Or maybe we're missing the point. Should you need more convincing and have access to a Kinect, you can download the demo to try for yourself.
Grab the reins of Fable: The Journey's demo on September 17
Fable: The Journey may not launch until early October, but you'll be able to take its virtual reins on September 17 when a demo for the game goes live worldwide on Xbox 360. Microsoft and Lionhead describe the demo as filled with "heart-pounding action," so, uh, maybe take some heart medication ahead of playing the game.Should the potential for heart failure caused by playing a demo worry you too much, you could always just watch the new "ViDoc" above. It's a lot like a trailer, but with a weird name. Take a look!
Fable: The Journey could be a rough one
Lionhead designer Ted Timmons says he learned a lesson after showing off Fable: The Journey to the public for the first time at E3 2011. "It's fine to be on rails," he says a year later, at the tail end of E3 2012. The spin-off was famously labeled as "on rails" by the public thanks to an early demo, and Timmons told Joystiq that while the team was surprised at the response, they eventually got a different message out of the whole thing: "We shouldn't be distracted by the whole 'on rails' issue," he says now. "We just want to make an awesome Kinect game."The Journey's awesomeness is yet to be determined, but it is certainly a Kinect game. The E3 2012 demo featured about ten minutes of two different levels in the game. You use Microsoft's all-seeing camera to snap and steer a horse's reins, throw a magical spear and open a locked door with magic spells.But while it all works (once you're shown how to do it - the tutorial is still a work in progress), the real question here is whether this journey is one worth taking.%Gallery-125521%
Lionhead listing for 'MMO-like title for next generation consoles'
Lionhead's latest job post brings up two salient points: That listing for a multiplayer level designer with "a deep understanding of online multiplayer games" may encompass more than a simple FPS title with online capabilities. Microsoft could be looking to bring MMOs to its console market in a big way.The most recent want ad, spotted by Superannuation and since removed, described the potential game as an "MMO-like title" and an original IP for the "future generation of platforms." It "will be an RPG-based game with a radical new take on how co-operative and multiplayer gameplay feeds into the experience, while blending online and single-player into one complete experience," the listing read, as reported by MCV.The title "will have a complex progression system, multiple routes through the campaign and an MMO-like multiplayer experience that will affect the outcome of the player experience, and many other attributes surrounding their profile (such as the environment and the outcome of certain actions)." Superannuation notes that it was labeled as a multithreaded RPG with four-player co-op.Lionhead's specific use of "MMO-like" and the description's emphasis on a "radical new" genre leaves the game's direction open to interpretation, while nodding at the style of former creative lead Peter Molyneux.MMOs can be a big gamble, even for an established studio, and especially if its audience is tethered to a single console unfamiliar with the genre as a whole. Good luck, Lionhead. You may need it.
Fable developer seeking online game designer for 'ambitious new project'
Hey guys, since long-standing single-player titles' becoming MMOs is all the rage these days, did you know that the folks at Fable developer Lionhead Studios are looking to hire someone with a deep understanding of online multiplayer games to help them "define the multiplayer levels and experience of [their] ambitious new project"? Because according to the official job listing at Microsoft, they totally are. Of course, the first thing that came to our minds was could this mean a Fable MMO? Well, it could, but we're not sure yet. All we know right now is that Lionhead is looking for help to design a particularly ambitious (cough) online game, and if you take into consideration that late last year the studio was looking for an MMO-oriented programmer... well, fans of the Fable series or the studio itself should definitely keep their eyes on this one.
Lionhead seeks multiplayer level designer for game development, long walks on beach
Microsoft's Lionhead Studios is looking for a multiplayer level designer with "a deep understanding of online multiplayer games," a job posting reveals.We assume Lionhead also would like any new designer to be adept at making the public forget Fable Heroes ever happened.Lionhead's recent time in the spotlight hasn't focused on what games it may be creating, but instead on Fable creator Peter Molyneux's departure and what that might mean for the studio. With no other information or speculation on Lionhead's next title, aside from this multiplayer designer business, we're going to throw our best guess out there: A Team Fortress 2 clone that looks like Minecraft, plays like Call of Duty and is called "Half-Alive 3."
XBLA 'Arcade NEXT' promo includes Trials Evolution April 18, Minecraft May 9
How does Microsoft fill the space between "House Party" and "Summer of Arcade?" With a new promotion called "Arcade NEXT," loaded with important XBLA games. How important? Minecraft important.The promotion kicks off with Trials Evolution on April 18. Bloodforge follows on April 25; then Fable Heroes on May 2. The promotion culminates in the game that has all the top XBLIG devs terrified: Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition on May 9. Minecraft costs 1600 Microsoft Points, and Fable Heroes is 800; the rest are 1200 ($15). And all of them come with the new 400 Gamerscore ceiling. Find details on each game after the break.%Gallery-151283%
Phil Harrison heads to Microsoft as vice prez of Interactive Entertainment Business arm
We've officially turned on the theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter and started growing a lustrous mustache in honor of Phil Harrison's return to Game Industry Executiveland. This morning, reports from Europe indicated that Harrison would head to Microsoft -- Microsoft clarified the news later, which named him corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment Business "with an emphasis on growing the division's European business."Microsoft corporate vice president of Studios Phil Spencer welcomed Harrison in a press release. "We are honored to have Phil join a team that boasts a wealth of talent from across the industry," Spencer said. Harrison is charged with "overseeing UK-based developers Lionhead Studios, Soho Productions and Rare Ltd.," a role he'll likely warm to quickly given past work as head of worldwide studios for Sony Computer Entertainment.Harrison's most recent employer is game industry venture capital firm London Venture Partners, where he served as general partner. He continues on as "special advisor." Harrison will not be replacing former Microsoft Studios Europe head Peter Molyneux (who recently left Microsoft), though he will be overseeing Lionhead. Molyneux's role at Lionhead as studio manager is currently occupied by COO Mark Webley, according to Microsoft.Update: Microsoft announced Harrison's appointment this morning to corporate vice president of Microsoft's "Interactive Entertainment Business" arm, with a focus on European markets. See the full presser just below the jump.[Image credit: Flickr user 'jontintinjordan']
Peter Molyneux leaves Lionhead and Microsoft to found 22 Cans
Peter Molyneux will leave Microsoft Game / Lionhead Studios once he's finished developing Fable: The Journey for Kinect. He'll be replaced by co-founder Mark Webley at the studio, with Redmond yet to name his successor at corporate level. Molyneux will partner with (Lionhead's) former CTO Tim Rance and Director Peter Murphy on 22 Cans, developing games under their own flag as he did when founding Lionhead and Bullfrog before that. The new company is based in Farnborough, 12 miles west of Lionhead's Guildford location and was registered on February 20th of this year. Given our childhood love of both Bullfrog and Lionhead's games, we wish both parties the very best -- you can check out when he visited The Engadget Show here.
Peter Molyneux leaves Microsoft, off on 'new independent venture'
Fabled game developer Peter Molyneux has left Microsoft and Lionhead Studios for startup 22 Cans. In a statement to Kotaku, the creative lead of Microsoft Studios Europe said he will conclude his work on the latest Fable before going off on the next great adventure."It is with mixed emotions that I made the decision to leave Microsoft and Lionhead Studios, the company that I co-founded in 1997, at the conclusion of development of Fable: The Journey," Molyneux said in the statement. "I remain extremely passionate and proud of the people, products and experiences that we created."Molyneux expressed the departure was amicable and Microsoft noted the ever-quotable developer "has made an indelible mark on the games industry and we wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavors."
