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GDC: More Fable 2 feature goodness
As we slowly recover from GDC jet-lag, we thought it would be best to post some of the other features that Peter Molyneux confirmed for Fable 2. After all, a dog can't be the only new feature in Fable 2. There really is quite a bit to consider, so we'll just dole out the info in bite sized bits via a handy bulleted list. Everyone likes lists. Players can pick a male or female hero Players can choose to have protected or unprotected sex (and yes, there are STDs) Female heroes can get pregnant Players can have children The world responds to your "hero-ness" Two new character morphs (besides Good/Evil): cruelty/kindness and wealth/poverty Own every single piece of property Players can become king Let's look at these more closely.
Are gay characters becoming a 'non-troversy'?
For the second year GLBT members of the gaming industry had roundtable discussions to explore their place in the business. Issues like an International Game Developers Association special interest group were discussed, along with establishing Human Rights Campaign corporate equality index numbers for all game companies. The developers who didn't have domestic partner benefits at their companies believed that it was a simple oversight, not a decision point, by their employer. One of the stand-out moments was the discussion over the 'non-troversy' of gay game characters.Designer Jeb Havens who led the roundtable sessions coined the "non-troversy" phrase to explain the Bully boy-on-boy kiss. An incident that many believed would blow up, but ended up being a bullet point. The non-troversy continued last week with Peter Molyneux's announcement that gay relationships would be allowed in Fable 2, even though it was an "accident" in the original Fable. As the roster of gay characters increases, which according to a recent study are wanted much more in RPGs, could gay characters become non-troversies in games like a Gears of War sequel? The film V for Vendetta was used as a prime example of how the gaming industry could incorporate gay issues that don't distract from the game's story, but actually help propel the plot.
Fable 2 concept art includes that dog
Xboxygen posted a few new concept art images from Fable 2, which include that mysterious (yet revolutionary) dog. We now know why Lionhead Studios didn't release these images until after the big announcement, otherwise they'd have spilled the beans on the whole puppy thing and left people wondering "what the heck is that furry thing doing in my Fable 2 artwork?" So, go ahead and take a look, digest the recent Fable 2 news, pet your dog, and come back with a refreshed face and an optimistic outlook on life.
Fable 2 dog is the 'totally unexpected' feature?
French gaming site Xboxygen has posted some pictures of a dog. Not just any dog, but Fable 2's dog. Could this be the "totally unexpected" feature Molyneux teased us about?[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Fable 2 is getting a cute puppy dog
The French folks over at Xboygen posted pictures of a new "character" in Fable 2. It's a dog! Your own personal dog to play with, train, and love while exploring the lush green world that Fable offers. In one picture, Peter Molyneux is pointing to our furry little companion and probably explaining how to get your dog to attack on command ... or so that's what we want to believe. And of course these screen grabs beg the question to whether or not this is the big Fable 2 announcement or just one interesting addition to the game. Only time will tell, but we'll find out soon as our very own Richard Mitchell will be getting the complete dish on Fable 2 during his coverage of GDC: 07. Stay tuned.
Fairy Godmother Tycoon: get your magic wand ready
Ever since Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon came out in 1990, there's been an onslaught of "Tycoon" games. You've got everything from RollerCoaster Tycoon, to Airport Tycoon, to Prison Tycoon, amongst others. There's even a "Tycoon Collection" that contains Circus Tycoon, Carnival Cruise Lines Tycoon, and Mall of America Tycoon. It's a total invasion of the tycoons.Adding to that pile is one more tycoon game that at least sounds creative: Electronic Arts' upcoming Fairy Godmother Tycoon. All the past tycooners (we just trademarked that phrase, fyi) simulate a type of business, from running a lemonade stand to operating an amusement park, but this one takes you into fairy tale land, where you have to manage being a Fairy Godmother. Which is essentially a kind of business as well, you think dealing out magic and wishes comes cheap?Apparently it doesn't come easy either, because in this game "you must make careful decisions -- purchasing supplies when they're cheap, pricing your potions correctly, hiring goons to help you with your marketing, casting spells on peasants and upgrading elements around your shop." Check out the interview on VH1 GameBreak with game producer Todd Kerpelman, and find out more about it.
Rumor: Peter Molyneux hints at online co-op?
GamePro recently had an interview with Peter Molyneux, president of Lionhead Studios, about Fable 2 wherein he used jujitsu to dodge some hard hitting questions. That being said, what he didn't say was definitely a lot. When asked about the Xbox 360's untapped potential, he brought up Xbox Live and its applications in a game like Fable 2, saying that four people going through a quest together in a self-contained environment as opposed to an open ended one hasn't been exploited yet. Unfortunately, he couldn't say explicitly how that pertains to Fable 2 and its online capabilities, if any. Still, it's interesting to hear how fascinated he is with the concept, and we can only imagine how it'd play out if it were true. Fable 2 co-op, eh? How do you like the sound ofthat?
Disgusting Valentine from Lionhead Studios
Those crafty folk at Lionhead Studios must have taken a break from developing Fable 2. Why, you ask? Because they had time to come up with a nice Valentine for us all to share on this capitalist romantic holiday. It's not any ordinary Valentine either. Oh, no, this one is special. We won't spoil the surprise, save to say that this particular Valentine is unique. Check it out after the break. Don't say we didn't warn you, though.
Detailed Fable 2 info coming at GDC
This year's Game Developers Conference kicks off in March and it looks like we'll get the insider dish on Lionhead's Fable 2. GWN.com dugg up information on the GDC's conference sessions and found one on Fable 2 hosted by Peter Molyneux. We double checked this information and located a GDC session called "Innovations in Fable 2" hosted by Peter and starting on March 8th. The description says that the "talk will centre around revolutions in Fable 2." and "will examine how key game play elements have been refined and expanded". Will we finally get every last detail on Lionhead's highly anticipated sequel? Will we get to see actual gameplay videos? Will Molyneux start the hype machine and over promise on all levels? We don't have any answers now, but we know that there will be some Fable 2 information coming out of GDC ... how much is still unknown.[Thanks, Jonah]
Molyneux, others join GDC lineup, Fable 'talk' imminent
Having the inside scoop, Gamasutra reports that Peter Molyneux, Killer 7's Goichi Suda, and a team of Final Fantasy XII developers led by Taku Murata are joining the GDC 2007 lineup. Molyneux, well known for his mastery of hype-building (and subsequent apologies), will by lecturing on Fable 2, musing aloud about the brilliant innovations that might or might not make the final cut -- Molyneux promises to reveal "a totally unexpected feature" (we've heard that before).Teasing aside, Molyneux is one of the most forward-thinking developers in the industry today. He might not always deliver, but he's earned his street cred for being a risk-taker. Molyneux's colorful presence is a key addition to GDC.Also making appearances during the conference will be Goichi Suda, who will illustrate the experience of working on a small development team (in this case, Grasshopper), along with Taku Murata and other core members of the FFXII team, who will reflect on the lessons learned during the game's development.
New Fable 2 feature to be revealed at GDC
GDC 07 (Game Developers Conference) is set to begin in March, and speakers are already being announced. Among these scheduled speakers is Peter Molyneux, the man behind Fable and its upcoming sequel, Fable 2. Molyneux will be at the conference to perform a lecture entitled, "Innovations in Fable 2." The lecture will discuss how elements from Fable have been changed and made better for Fable 2. Furthermore, Molyneux promises to reveal a new and "totally unexpected" feature in the game. What could it be? We have no idea, and after the amazing amount of hype built around the first Fable, perhaps its best if we don't get carried away.Our readers (that's you), on the other hand, can get as carried away as they like. Do you have any ideas for a great new feature in Fable 2?
Worst video game endings of all
Precious video games and your stories, how we do love thee. But when your story ends with us wanting more, we cry how badly. And the good folks at CVG posted what they feel have been the worst video game endings of all time. On the list appear some Xbox titles including Fable, Shenmue 2, KOTOR II, and Halo 2. As a whole, it looks like the one way to avoid angering fans is by not ending the game with a big cliff-hanger. Some fans feel that paying for the game is right enough to be entitled to some conclusion. We aren't that annoyed by cliff-hangers (here's looking at you Halo 2), because our anticipation for the sequel is all the more heightened. Do you know of another game that didn't make CVG's list that has a horrible ending?[Via Digg]
Havok to power Fable 2 physics & animation
Havok announced today that Molyneux and company have licensed Havok Complete for Fable 2. 'Complete' rolls Havok Physics and Havok Animation into one integrated package.As Molyneux iterated, relying on Havok allows Lionhead developers to focus on the team's lofty aspirations, most-simply defined as dynamic regions, unconditional love, wealth accumulation, constrained combat, and an as of yet undisclosed uber-feature. As with the original Fable, at this stage it's hard to distinguish fantasy from reality (what gameplay elements will and won't make it into Fable 2's final release). But there is now at least one certainty: ragdolls.[Via 1UP]
Fable 2: Havok in the land of Albion
IGN reports that Lionhead Studios has adopted the Havok physics engine for use in the upcoming Fable 2. Peter Molyneux, the man behind the Fable series, hopes that Havok will simplify and streamline the development process, allowing designers to bypass physics calculation and instead focus on creating the game world itself. Frankly, we don't really care what sort of physics the game employs as long as it makes it out before 2008. Hey, Lionhead, how about throwing us some in game footage? We need something to obsess about, and concept art just isn't cutting it anymore.
New Fable scraps for Thanksgiving
The latest Fable 2 community update went live on Friday -- factoring in the international time change, that's technically next Tuesday -- and we're left with ... not much. Unfortunately, we still have virtually no gameplay details to give you. What we do have is this lovely drawing of a street corner. There are a few tiny details to give. The first of which is that the game looks "stunning." According to the update, the game is leaps and bounds ahead of the teaser trailer that was released at E3. Also, Fable 2 will feature new vertical elements that were absent from Fable. For example, water levels could rise, giving you access to higher areas, or you can jump down a hole to enter a subterranean dungeon. It's a simple idea, but it could add a lot to Fable 2's overall geography -- Fable was pretty flat when you think about it. The only other tidbit revealed is that development is proceeding on schedule, which doesn't help us if we don't have an actual release date with which to gauge Lionhead's progress. Still, this is the last community update this year, so we'll have to take what we can get.The question is, with only the odd piece of artwork now and again to keep you going, are you still excited for Fable 2?[Via Xboxygen]
New Fable artwork (arrrrrrrr!)
Microsoft sent out some new Fable 2 concept art today. You can't tell from this environment sketch, but the characters lead us to believe that Fable 2 will have a very heavy piratical element (and possibly gypsies). The characters practically swing out of the picture (on a chandelier, natch) yelling obscenities and obscure nautical terms. Sure, we haven't seen any actual screenshots yet, but we love the darker, grittier feel than the original. We also relish the idea of sailing the seas and visiting new continents. Hopefully, we'll hear more on the game's development soon. Check out the scurvy ridden character art after the break.
Fable 2 is playable! ... sorta
Word from Lionhead is that Fable 2 has reached the "FP" milestone -- that's dev-speak for "first playable." Don't get too excited, this just means that Microsoft has been sent a few functional areas of the game, so the publisher can be confident its money isn't only being blown on "office refurbishment" and pizza parties.The FP build also included a never-to-be-released quest, which, according to Lionhead's most recent community update, featured, "a magical potion, some pretty messed-up, dandy-dressed, wizard-types and most importantly such a dramatic outcome of a twisted nature, that it would make Joe Average Jr. freak out." We don't even wanna know ...
Molyneux discusses Wii and PS3
Gamespot UK recently had a Q & A session with Lionhead's Peter Molyneux (Populous, Black & White). Lionhead Studios, who was acquired by Microsoft last April, has also developed such hits as The Movies and Fable. During the interview, the console wars debate came up and Peter's response was surprisingly Wii-positive, but of course he couldn't help but cram some praise for the 360 in there as well. As for Sony, he said: GSUK: There seems to be a backlash mounting against the PlayStation 3, while the Wii seems to be going from strength to strength. How do you think the next-gen console war is going to stack up? PM: Well, I have been through console wars before, but this one strikes me as particularly interesting. Nintendo has done a great job of convincing us that next gen is about game play rather than high-tech specs. Microsoft has done an incredible job of expanding games online and making them more mass market. Sony, in my view, seems it has been rather more lazy with their message. How all this pans out really depends on one thing and that is the brilliance of the titles that appear on each platform over the next two to three years. Marketing the hardware is nothing compared to the games that run on it, so I expect the system with the greatest games on it to end up on top. Everyone has been very supportive of the one-two punch combo of the Wii and Xbox 360, leaving Sony to stew in their own stolen juices, forgetting that Microsoft is in fact the competition for Nintendo as well. Just like Reggie said in his USA Today interview, he'd rather see consumers buying the Wii, along with some games and accessories, over buying both consoles and creating an opportunity to sell more of his competitor's product. We couldn't agree more.
The latest Fable scraps
The latest Fable 2 update gives us a few tidbits to enjoy -- namely the solitary piece of concept art above. Of particular interest -- especially to those who were disappointed by Fable's restrictive pathways -- is level designer, Charlton Edward's comments on the game:"The world definitely is much bigger and it also feels better. There are more things to do within each area and we absolutely have to make them interesting and absorbing. Too many times have I spent playing RPG's set in vast barren wastelands. Fable 2 retains the Fable 1 organic, intimate feel, while giving players tons to explore and discover. We are really trying to pack the world with exploration, interaction and secrets."While this doesn't necessarily mean the end of Fable's linear paths, it at least promises we'll have more to do on said paths. Anybody have this in their top five most wanted yet?[Via Xboxygen (watch out, it's in French)]
A Bungie with business sense would make Halo 4 and 5 and...
Recently there have been some rumblings that Bungie won't make another Halo game after Halo 3 which appear to be centered around a statement that Marty O'Donnell made in an interview with the BBC. In this interview, Marty says, "We all want Halo to be the great ending to an epic trilogy. We look at what Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings films - which each film bettering the previous one and that is what we are aiming for." Does that mean we won't be seeing another Halo game in the future? To people who understand that making video games is a business, the rumors (which are already half-disproved) that Bungie would end the Halo franchise anytime soon are ridiculous. The first two Halo games combined have sold 14.3 million units. That puts the Halo franchise within the top 30 best-selling game franchises of all time. Without Halo, Microsoft might as well not have bothered with the Xbox; Halo and Halo 2 sold more units than the next six best selling games on the Xbox combined (if you're wondering, these games are Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Fable, GTA: Double Pack, Project Gotham Racing, and Need for Speed: Underground 2). With a Halo movie on the way, and the facts that Halo 2 sold more units than the first and is still the #1 game played on Xbox Live under Bungie's belt, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the Halo franchise is increasing in popularity. The bottom line is that Bungie and Microsoft would have to be stupid to end their most lucrative franchise ever after #3. We don't claim to have any insider information, we don't dispute Marty's statement and we don't deny the possibility that Bungie will create new franchises, but based on pure business logic we'd expect to see at least another two games based on the Halo universe. From a business perspective, for Bungie to dump the Halo franchise after 3 would be sheer stupidity. [Source for sales figures, Image from 1001 Fonts]
