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Fable 2 sold 3.5 million copies, Lionhead 'needs' 5 million for Fable 3
Speaking during GDC, Peter Molyneux highlighted Lionhead's strategy for Fable 3, specifically noting that a franchise will die if it fails to grow. "If we don't grow as a franchise, If Fable doesn't get bigger as a franchise," said Molyneux, "then it will eventually die." Lionhead is "very happy" with the success of Fable so far, with Molyneux stating that the original Fable sold "about 3 million" copies, while Fable 2 moved approximately 3.5 million. He added that he hopes that 25-30 percent more people will play Fable 3, explaining Lionhead's plans to craft Fable 3 as more of an action-adventure title -- a genre which tends to perform better than RPGs. The overall goal for Lionhead is to sell more than five million copies of Fable 3. According to Molyneux, Fable 3 needs to sell that many in order to "be part of the big boys, the big blockbusters." How will Lionhead rope in that many new customers? Read our full coverage of the Fable 3 GDC panel to find out.
Rare to build new studio in Birmingham, England
Rare announced today that it will soon open a new studio facility in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, England. To be housed in the Fazeley Studios complex, the new studio will serve as a "production, test and usability site to accommodate Rare's evolving methodology in game creation." Rare plans to use the new studio as a model for "change," as the company believes that the current practice of over-staffing studios has caused "a boom and bust cycle." The new studio marks a move to a development method more akin to film studios, and Rare expects the facility to house around 90 staff members, though the number is expected to fluctuate throughout different projects. The announcement notes that Digbeth's proximity to "several universities and colleges" makes the new facility "ideally placed for recruiting staff." We'd like to point out that Digbeth is also home to several pubs and bars, which should come in handy during crunch time.
Into the Pixel goes into the auction on eBay
Hey, you remember the Into the Pixel exhibit at last year's E3, right? Oh, no, that's right, they don't allow the plebes in. Had you been lucky enough to grace it with your stares, you'd have found a "jury-curated exhibition of video game art created by published video and computer game artists." And now that very same art can be found gracing the pages of eBay, as the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has opened up bidding on a smattering of pieces (starting yesterday and running through February 20). Featuring art from games like Flower and Fable 2, the proceeds will help to fund the AIAS' scholarship programs. The bidding has most certainly begun, though most pieces remain at their initial $100 opening bid as of publishing. If you're looking to snap up one of these snappy pieces, we'd suggest you get bidding sooner rather than later!
Fable 3 co-op to bring full characters, dogs, weapons into friends' games
If there's one thing we could've used in Fable 2, it was a more fleshed-out co-op system. Sure, we could see our friends' orbs floating about Albion and we could even invite them to play as a one-off character in our world, but it was one unable to collect experience or have any lasting impact on our game. As you might image, Lionhead's head lion Peter Molyneux is ready to deliver just that in Fable 3. Molyneux told the 4Guys 1UP podcast: "I heard you all about co-op. You want to have your own hero come into the world. Okay, fine, you can have that definitely." Detailing the system further, he admitted that the player's dog and weapons will also be available in co-op. "When you come into my world, you come in as your hero, with your dog, with all your unique weapons, self-crafted weapons. I heard you -- you don't wanna be tied to my camera, you wanna go off and do your own thing in my world. Fine, fair enough." That said, he warned about "consequences" from bringing in said friends to your own version of Albion. "It means careful who you invite in, 'cause they can screw the whole thing up, man!" And then, when the possibility of using the new "touch" functionality came up, things took a turn for the weird. "Yes you can use touch with your co-op partner. Yes you can walk down the street hand-in-hand. Yes you can drag your co-op partner to your dungeon and see what happens. Absolutely." Keep in mind, folks -- what happens in the dungeon stays in the dungeon. Rawr! %Gallery-85302%
Halo: Reach beta dated May 3, only for ODST owners
Click to Spartan-size With the X10 event underway in San Francisco, Microsoft has finally announced the first details surrounding the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. The beta test will officially begin on May 3, 2010. As promised, owners of Halo 3: ODST will be able to access the beta through the ODST game disc. We'll have more details about the beta shorty. For now, sit tight and direct your attention on that new box art! %Gallery-64713%
Amazon: 360 Platinum Hits are buy 2, get 1 free for a limited time
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Amazon is now offering a special buy two, get one free deal on Xbox 360 Platinum Hits titles. The deal is fairly straightforward: just pop three Platinum Hits games into your cart and the cheapest of the three will be knocked down to the wallet-friendly price of zero dollars. It's really the perfect excuse to pick up some great games you might have missed, especially considering many of them have sequels out this year -- notably Fable II, Halo 3, Fallout 3, Mass Effect, BioShock and Dead Rising. You'd better do it quick though, as the offer is only valid through February 13 and only while supplies last. [Thanks, Goldenchild]
Forza Motorsport dev working with Natal tech
It may not be the most shocking turn of events, but we would be remiss not point out that Turn 10 -- the studio behind the Forza Motorsport series -- is dabbling in Natal development. The evidence comes by way of a Turn 10 job listing for a business development manager. The listing, discovered by Total Video Games, is looking for someone to "set strategy and drive high quality game content for our Next Generation games including the NATAL platform." Considering that Forza Motorsport series is the only product that Turn 10 has created for Microsoft thus far, it's probably safe to assume Natal support will work its way into future iterations of the series. Microsoft has already proven that Natal can be utilized in driving games with its Burnout Paradise demo, though its hard to imagine the motion capture peripheral will have the precision for something as technical as Forza. But who says Natal has to be used for steering? It could be used for secondary activities like shifting, changing the radio station or, most obviously, flipping the bird. We're sure Xbox Live members would just love it. [Via G4tv]
Xbox 360 Platinum Hits lineup adds Halo Wars, Orange Box and others
Xbox.com has listed several new games as Platinum Hits, including Fable II (aka Game of the Year Edition), Halo Wars, Left 4 Dead, The Orange Box, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Ninja Gaiden II, Kung-Fu Panda, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Sonic Unleashed. A Microsoft PR agent couldn't confirm the full list of new Platinum Hits (are we missing any above?), but said that if a game is listed as such on Xbox.com, it's a Platinum Hits title. The changes seem to have taken effect on major retailer sites, as GameStop and Amazon now reflect the discounted Platinum prices (if not always the the Platinum Hits branding), which range from $20–30. With Orange Box requiring only one Jackson ($20), it's now literally a crime to not own it. Conversely, if you're dead-set on committing a crime, buy someone Sonic The Hedgehog or Sonic Unleashed at $20 each. [Thanks, Stephen]
Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer teases 'full-length' version for Dec. 22 XBL debut
Snagged from IGN's "Ultimate Holiday Videogame Guide" comes this Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer ... well, teaser trailer may be more accurate. While the above video shares nearly a minute and a half of delicious cinematic video (read: this isn't in-game, folks) the end promises the "full-length trailer" will premier on Xbox Live on December 22, just a few days before ecksmas. So you can take "Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer" off your wishlist and bump up "Mass Effect 3 cinematic trailer." [Via Kotaku; thanks, tmacairjordan87]
Capcom employee recreates Fable II's Fortune's Tower pub game
This has to be the most endearing display of cross-developer love we've seen during our games writing careers. Capcom's Shawn Baxter (a.k.a. "Snow,") recently posted on the company's community blog about his latest D.I.Y. project -- a real-life version of Fortune's Tower, one of the pub games featured in Fable II. Oh, and in Fable II Pub Games, though you probably didn't need us to tell you that. Words can't really describe this two-month, $400 project as well as pictures, so hop on over to Capcom's blog and check out the delectable fruits of Baxter's labor. If you're of a crafty ilk, the post also contains a few blueprints you can follow to make your own Fortune's Tower set. We probably won't post about yours, though. This is a one-time thing.
Metal Gear Solid (the first) coming to Euro PSN this week
Snake's first "solid" adventure is finally making its way to Europe's PSN. Eurogamer reports Konami's announcement that the tactical espionage action title will arrive this Thursday, November 19, for £8. We followed up with Sony Europe and a representative confirmed the release. The PSN version of MGS is the original game released on PlayStation and not the Twin Snakes update released in 2004. For those living the States, the title has been available since this summer. The release of the first Metal Gear Solid on PSN will be followed by MGS: Portable Ops, MGS: Portable: Ops+ and MGS: Digital Graphic Novel. Of course, this is all in preparation for Peace Walker sometime next year.
PSA: Fable 2 Episodes now available, first hit's free
The first installment of Fable II Episodes is available now on Xbox Live -- for free. Think of it as an extended demo for the magical adventure that became the Joystiq Game of the Year for 2008. We have no idea where exactly the first episode ends and, more importantly, we have no idea how much the next servings will cost (we're waiting for confirmation).Depending on the total price, it may be better to pick up a physical copy of the game or wait for the "game of the year" edition. Don't let the first-hit-is-free drug dealer tactic reel you in while alternatives exist, friend.
TGS 2009: Microsoft's Phil Spencer easily envisions Fable, Natal crossover
Microsoft Game Studios' corporate vice president, Phil Spencer, doesn't seem like the easily startled type. In fact, on the list of things that wouldn't catch him off guard, the incorporation of Project Natal into a high-profile, Xbox 360-exclusive franchise probably doesn't sit very high. Perhaps a few spots below lots of people buying a new Halo game.During a Tokyo Game Show interview (look for the full transcript soon), Spencer told Joystiq that the innovation fostered inside Lionhead Studios made it a good match for Microsoft's forthcoming motion control system. "You know, Lionhead's been a real innovation studio for us," he said. "We have the release of Fable 2 episodic this week, where they're taking Fable 2 and breaking it up into chunks, allowing people to buy the content at their pace. Fable 2, I thought, was a great release, with the orbs they added with Live, adding new functionality to the franchise. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Natal found its way into future iterations of Fable."Whether or not motion functionality will show up in 2010's Fable 3 is a matter of speculation, though your role as king in that game would certainly lend itself to some interesting ... regal maneuvers. Waving your hand to permanently dispense with an annoying peasant? That's our kind of role playing.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker characters revealed in Famitsu
Hideo Kojima has remained tight-lipped about the characters that will appear in Konami's upcoming PSP spy romp, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker -- so far, we only know four: Snake, Snake, Snake and Snaaaake! However, Famitsu has revealed a few other faces that will make an appearances in the game: Amanda, Huey, Chico, Coldman, Strangelove, Galvez, Cecile, Paz, and, most notably, Master Miller from Metal Gear 2. The magazine also included illustrations of these characters, who look as colorful as their names might suggest. Famitsu also provides details about the co-op modes seen in the nine-minute trailer released last month. When two players get close to one another, "Co-op" mode activiates, merging the players' health gauges and allowing them to trade items. When they get really close, they go into "Snake-in" mode, in which one player controls both Snakes' movements so that the other can focus on murdering fools.We wonder if all four players can merge in this manner, forming a growling, bearded train of death? [Thanks, Ryan]
Forza 3 goes gold, demo hits Marketplace on Sept. 24
Microsoft and Turn 10 have just sent word that Forza Motorsport 3 has gone gold, with time to spare to spin enough disks for the game's European and North American launch on October 23 and 27, respectively. But the racing news doesn't end there, folks. A demo for the upcoming racing sim is heading to the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 24, featuring many of the latest iteration's enhancements.The Forza 3 demo will feature the game's new cock-pit view, refined damage model, new rewind function and even allow players to pull barrel rolls around the full Camino Viejo circuit. Forza 3's September 24 demo includes five playable vehicles: 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro 2009 Ferrari California 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR 2009 Mini John Cooper Works And with a true competitive spirit, the demo will also support official leaderboards for gamers to compare their best lap times. Strap in, folks. This one is rounding its last corner before crossing store shelves.%Gallery-68920%
Xbox 360's 'Deal of the Week,' Games on Demand, Avatar DLC for Sept.
Tossing the usual drip-fed weekly schedule aside for the moment, Microsoft has released the full details for its "Deal of the Week," Games on Demand and Avatar DLC releases (in the US) for the entire month of September. Let's start with Games on Demand: Games on Demand (no prices noted) Sept 8: Civilization Revolution Sept. 15: FIFA Street 3 Sept. 22: Shaun White Snowboarding Sept. 29: Fable II: Game Episodes -- (we'd hold out for that "game of the year" edition) Check after the break for the "Deal of the Week" and Avatar DLC details.
Fable 2: Game of the Year Edition confirmed
Eurogamer reports that Fable II: Game of the Year Edition has been confirmed by Microsoft. Furthermore, the site notes that the title will release in Europe on September 18 for €64.99/£39.99. Doing a little digging of our own, we uncovered the box art for the game (pictured above), which gives us some idea of what to expect in the package. According to the box, purchasers will receive: "More Quests! More Locations! More Choices!" If previous retail listings for the title are to be believed, all that "more" will be comprised of both the Knothole Island and See the Future DLC packs. So far, the Game of the Year Edition has only been confirmed for Europe, but we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation and details regarding a North American release.
Confused about Metal Gear Solid's timeline? So is Hideo Kojima
Don't feel bad if all the convoluted relationships and multi-generational storylines of the Metal Gear Solid series are occasionally too much for you. During an interview with Eurogamer, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima expressed a similar sentiment. "Actually, strange you ask, because I personally get confused too about the whole timeline and saga of Metal Gear Solid," Kojima said when asked about organizing his thoughts (which become the games' head-scratching reality). "This is especially tricky when you create the future first and then go back in time to create something new. There are a lot of small aspects where sometimes it doesn't match completely."On the subject of the future, Kojima explained that Metal Gear Solid Rising is a good fit for younger KojiPro staff, while Peace Walker requires the Kojima Touch®. "The younger staff couldn't really understand [Peace Walker's] background, and since I made the concept and overall storyline, I thought that I would go more deeply in, because for me it was more understandable a setting." Rising, however, is a new story set in the future, without so much influence from Kojima's existing storyline.
Fable 3 will question the foundations on which Fable is built, says Molyneux
Hot off the announcement this morning of Fable 3 coming to Xbox 360 in 2010, Microsoft Game Studios of Europe head Peter Molyneux sat down to discuss the franchise a bit with GamesIndustry.biz. Though the acutely over-promising developer kept tight-lipped about details on the upcoming sequel, he did let slip that Fable 3 will question "some of the foundations that Fable [the franchise] is built on." We're not sure exactly what that means, but we already know that the gesture system has been given a major facelift. The moral choice aims to be a lot deeper than in Fable 2 as well, with Molyneux saying promises you make in your rise to power will affect your position as the people's ruler. We'll be sure to remember these promises when the game releases next year (that's three promises so far, Molyneux!). %Gallery-70430%
Fable II 'Episodic' revealed, pay-as-you-play starts Sept. 29 [update]
Peter Molyneux announced, during the Lionhead press conference at GamesCom, that Fable II episodic adventures are on the way. The first chapter is free. Once players get to the ending they can opt to buy the next chapter or buy the rest of the game. The purchase takes place in-game and there are five episodes.The first episode will release on September 29 and no prices have been revealed. The game is fully compatible with Knothole Island and See the Future. We'll keep working on getting more information.Update: Microsoft has clarified that this is not an extension of Fable II, but rather the retail game broken up into serialized chapters formally titled Fable II: Game Episodes. Xbox Live users will be able to download the initial episode, which serves as a "shell" for the rest of the game, on September 29. The original game disc is not required to play, and those who grab part one will have the option to purchase subsequent pieces or the entirety of Fable II (think of it like an XBLA trial). If you've downloaded any of the game episodes and decide to spring for the retail disc, your saves will carry over. No per-episode pricing has been announced but we're chasing more details.
